The Kansas State High School Activities Association caused little more than a stir in the state's cross country scene when it released its annual shift in classifications this week.
It was almost as if the state's governing body was putting everything back in its proper place.
Maize South, which was moved to 4A last year and subsequently whipped the competition at the state meet, has returned to class 5A, where it had competed for numerous years.
And Hugoton, which swept the class 3A state titles last year, will go back to 4A.
In other words, Maize South's and Hugoton's road to repeat titles just got a lot tougher. Each joins a division where they will no longer be considered a pre-meet favorite going into the state meet, but rather in a mix of teams that will have to scratch and claw to get onto the podium.
Andover Central, which placed second at state in the class 4A girls division and third in the boys, is likely the team to beat in class 4A now.
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