The Wildcats are back on top...can they stay there?

The Division IV race has been interesting the last few years. Familiar faces like Morenci, Santa Cruz, Yuma Catholic, St. Johns, and Mogollon always seem to be in the mix but the order is constantly shifting. Morenci returned the 6th most points last year but came out on top in February, this year they return the most and will attempt to hold off familiar foes to win their 6th State Title in the last 10 years.

THE FAVORITE

1. Morenci Returning Points: 155

Coach Woodall returns 3 State Champions. The lone returning Senior, State Champion Emerson Montes along with fellow State Champions Jacob Goodwin and Caden Woodall will anchor the team. The Wildcats also return 3 placers and 4 other qualifiers and bring in some tough Freshman in Millier Williams and Gunner Barron. They will be tough to beat at the DIV level.

THE CONTENDERS

2. Santa Cruz Returning Points: 139.5

The Eloy Boys return 4 State Champions in Chavez, Ibarra, Ibarra, and Davis. They also return a runner-up in Jiovanni Chavez. Losing returning runner-up Belloc (Transfer to Sunnyside) hurts, but if their other 2 returning qualifiers can find the podium they could be right back in the hunt.

3. Yuma Catholic Returning Points: 82.5

The Shamrocks have been knocking on the door of DIV for years, could this be the year they break through? They return a State Champion in Skylar Bialecki along with returning placers Hanckock and Siqueiros along with 3 other returning qualifiers. They are staple in the top 5 of Division IV and will be solid as usual this year.

4. Payson Returning Points: 75.5 The Longhorns were just 7th last year but return a State Champion in Gavin Palace and a slew of qualifiers (7 to be exact) that if developed can make them a dangerous team by the end of the season.

5. St. Johns Returning Points: 80

Coach Crosby leads the Redskins into the year coming off a strong 2nd place finish at last year's State Tournament. The team will have a different look this year as they lost the bulk of their upper-weight firepower, but they return 2x State Champion Reece Crosby and State Runner-Up Vincent Tullie in the middle-weights. They bring back 7 State Qualifiers and look to again make a push to be a State Title Threat.

6. Mogollon Returning Points: 49

The Mustangs lose 6 Seniors of last years squad, which at a school that size is extremely tough to replace. They return just two placers in Pimental and Porter, but seem to always find a way to be in thick of things in February.