Looking ahead to next year's Florida high school cross country season with the projected fastest returning teams in the 4A classification for boys.
The Christopher Columbus boys are well positioned to compete for the 4A state title next fall coming off their strong state runner-up finish in 2022 and returning 4 of those state meet competitors as well as a fifth returnee who broke 17 minutes for 5K on the season.
This year's state champion squad Creekside will still be in the hunt to repeat as well with 5 under 17 returning, while Tampa area programs HB Plant, George Steinbrenner, and Newsome should be formidable as well battling to see who is the best out of Hillsborough County.
Reigning individual state champion Matt Ryan will try to lead his Nease boys onto the podium with him as will two-time All-State individual finisher Jonathan Leon with his Hagerty squad.
There are nearly 10 teams that have at least 4 returnees who dipped into the 16-minute range this past season including Sunlak...
