Last year's graduation ceremonies across Kansas did some major damage to the balance of power in Class 1A track and field.
The list of pre-season contenders for team titles in class 1A this season includes only three - Osborne's boys and girls and Centralia's boys - that finished in the top five at the state meet a year ago.
Meanwhile, 1A girls is likely to receive a jolt with Lincoln and Moundridge moving down from class 2A.
Lincoln distance stars Jaycee Vath and Aubry Donley led their school's romp of the class 1A cross country title last fall. Vath, a sophomore, won the individual state title, and Donley, a senior, placed second, leading their team to a score of 16 and a 25 point win over runner-up Berean Academy.
Vath enters the 2019 season with the top times in the 1600 and 3200 meter runs, while Donley won the class 2A state title in the 400 and 800.
But Donley will contend with some established stars in class 1A. Paige Baird of Northern Valley is class 1A's defending state champ in the 400, and Tipton Catholic's Jaylyn Wiese won the class 1A 800.
Vath is a clear front-runner in the class 1A distance races. Sylvan-Lucas' Autumn Princ, a
two-time defending champion in the 3200 meter run, will reportedly miss the 2019 track season due to injury. Princ, also a two-time
cross country champion, missed last fall with injury as well.
Kiowa County's girls enter the 2019 season with what looks like the most depth on the state level. The squad also has a bona fide star in discus and shot put thrower Sabrina Thomas.
Moundridge's move to class 1A means that class 2A's 100 and 200 meter sprint champion Jamya O'Quinn will go head-to-head with the defending class 1A champs, Afftin Conway of Osborne (100), and Tori Poe of Norwich (200).
Osborne placed fourth a year ago, led by Conway's state titles in the 100 and 300 hurdles. The senior is a strong contender to win again in both of those events.
Berean Academy's girls could challenge for a team title. They should get big points from Erin Topham in the 1600 and 3200 meter runs.
On the boys' side, Darrian Holloway of Osborne will return to defend his titles in both hurdling events, and it could be key to getting that team onto the podium - maybe even the state championship. Distance runners Reagan Bales (800 and 1600) and Cameron Delaney (1600 and 3200) could be key point-scorers, as well.
St. Francis' Jordan Raby will put his team in the conversation for a team title. He's a preseason favorite to win the 200 and 400 at state this year, and should place high in the 100, as well. St. Francis also has a solid core of pole vaulters in Richard Johnson, Tiernan Poling and Shadyron Blanka.
Wallace County will pin much of its title hopes on distance runner Trevor Fischer, who has the top returning times in the 1600 and 3200, and middle distance runner Trevor Medina in the 800.
Senior Caden Bach of Northern Valley is back this season to defend the two state titles he won in the high jump (6-6) and javelin (189-8).
Class 1A at a glance
Girls
Returning Individual State Champions
100 - Afftin Conway, senior, Osborne; * Jamya O'Quinn, senior, Moundridge
200 - Tori Poe, junior, Norwich; * O'Quinn, senior, Moundridge
400 - Paige Baird, senior, Northern Valley; *Aubry Donley, senior, Lincoln
800 - Jaylyn Wiese, sophomore, Tipton Catholic; *Donley, senior, Lincoln
3200 - Autumn Princ, junior, Sylvan Lucas
300 hurdles - Conway, senior, Osborne
Long jump - Kaycee Miller, senior, Golden Plains
Triple jump - Macy Doebele, senior, Hanover
Javelin - Madison Lueger, senior, Centralia
Pole Vault - Breanna Schmitz, senior, Centralia
* 2A state champion last year
2018 Top Five Teams
1) Hanover 65
2) Centralia 49
3) Downs-Lakeside 43
4) Osborne 40
5) Northern Valley 38
Milesplit Projection for 2019 (does not include potential points for relays)
1) Kiowa County 43
2) Lincoln 40
3) Moundridge 30
4) Berean Academy 28
5) Osborne 27.5
Boys
Returning Individual State Champions
110 hurdles - Darrian Holloway, junior, Osborne
300 hurdles - Holloway, junior, Osborne
High jump - Caden Bach, senior, Northern Valley
Triple jump - Blake Harnden, senior, Attica
Javelin - Bach, senior, Northern Valley
2018 Top Five Teams
1) South Gray 77
2) Centralia 63
3) Beloit-St. John's 55
4) Pike Valley 62
5) Osborne 42
MileSplit Projection for 2019 (does not include potential points for relays)
1) St. Francis 43
2) Wallace County 42
3) Osborne 41
4) Centralia 25
5) Beloit-St. John 22