By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

The 63rd Arizona AIA State Championships are scheduled for Saturday at Cave Creek Golf Course in Phoenix.

Here are six storylines to follow at the one of the most historic state meets in the country:

Desert Vista’s dynasty seeks new level of dominance

The top boys team in Arizona the past three years has been Desert Vista, but the Thunder could challenge the all-time elite programs in state history with a fourth consecutive Division I championship and fifth in six years.

Desert Vista produced the two lowest totals in Division I with a 43-point effort in 2015 and accumulating 46 points in 2014 – placing five scorers in the top 16 in both years – and ran its fastest time on the 5-kilometer Cave Creek course two years ago at 81 minutes, 10 seconds.

Chris Hanson has helped build one of the state’s most successful programs, with Desert Vista having won eight championships in the past 15 years. But with the addition to the coaching staff of Dr. Jeff Messer, who guided Desert Vista’s girls team to three titles in the past four years, the Thunder has an opportunity to rewrite the record books.

Only Mesa Westwood has won four straight boys titles in the state’s top division, capturing 5A championships from 1993-96. Trevor Browne High in Phoenix produced the lowest total in 5A by scoring 32 points in 1986, a large-school record that could be challenged by Desert Vista, which had an 18-second spread among its top five scorers Sept. 29 at the Desert Twilight Festival following a 26-second gap Sept. 16 at the Woodbridge Cross Country Classic.

Thunder seniors Reece Donihi and Habtamu Cheney will battle Cibola’s Thomas Cain, Brophy Prep’s Drew Burns, Boulder Creek’s Jacob Lewis and Perry’s Anthony Haren for the individual crown. DJ Harris won the 2015 individual title for Desert Vista.

A new force up front

From Xavier Prep’s Jessica Tonn and Sarah Fakler to Desert Vista’s Dani Jones to Rio Rico’s Allie Schadler, the past decade in the state has belonged to a short list of elite female competitors.

Following Schadler’s graduation after four Division III state championships, the opportunity is present for a new female star to grab the spotlight.

It could be younger sister Samantha Schadler, who returns with the fastest time on the Cave Creek course from last season at 17:58, although the Rio Rico junior will have to push the pace on her own instead of running behind the state’s all-time record holder.

Two state champions return in Chaparral junior Abi Archer in Division II and Northland Prep senior Maya Smith in Division IV. Smith is trying to follow Allie Schadler by winning four straight individual titles and could challenge the 18-minute barrier.

Sandra Day O’Connor senior Jesselyn Bries didn’t compete in the sectionals and isn’t expected to defend her Division I title.

Desert Vista senior Haley Wolf was second in Division I to Bries last season and is primed for an impressive performance after capturing a state 3,200-meter title in May.

No clear favorite

Wolf could also factor into the Division I girls team battle, with Desert Vista contending with Chandler and Xavier Prep. The three schools are responsible for the past 10 titles in the top girls division.

Desert Vista set the Division I record last year with five finishers placing in the top six to score 20 points, but graduation and injuries have made it a challenge to repeat.

Chandler has also endured significant injuries in recent weeks, but still has the potential to capture its second championship in three years.

Xavier Prep captured six titles in a row from 2007-12 and finished second from 2013-15, but placed fourth last year. After winning its sectional, Xavier Prep is back in the championship picture, along with Cibola.

Looking to sustain small school supremacy

Hopi could face a challenge toward extending its national record to 28 straight years winning a boys state championship.

Hopi, which has won seven in a row in Division IV, edged Northland Prep by a 51-57 margin at its section qualifying meet. Northwest Christian, Chandler Prep and Bisbee also have sights set on being the team to halt Hopi’s record run.

Hopi’s closest margin of victory during the streak was a three-point triumph over Tuba City in the 3A final in 2005. Since the formation of Division IV in 2010, only once has a team been within 15 points of Hopi.

Only five schools in the country – Christian Brothers Academy NJ, York IL, LaSalle Academy RI, Baton Rouge Episcopal LA and Wilmington Salesianum DE – have won 28 boys state championships overall.

Quietly turning another Page

Had it not been for Hopi’s historic streak, Page’s performance could possibly be the most impressive boys dynasty in state history.

Page is seeking its fourth consecutive Division III title, looking to match its longest run from 1989-92 in 4A, and pursuing its 15th championship overall. No other boys team in the state has more than eight titles.

Page produced a 50-56 win over Chinle in its sectional, with Casteel, Salpointe Catholic and Greenway also looking to knock off the Sand Devils. Page prevailed 61-65 over Chinle to capture the 2015 crown.

Eagles looking to soar into rarefied air

Flagstaff is seeking its third straight Division II girls crown, a sixth championship in seven years and 13th overall, which ranks second in the state only to Hopi’s 22 titles.

Sectional winners Chaparral, Cienega and North Canyon will all look to unseat Flagstaff, which won last year’s championship by 42 points.

The Eagles are also attempting to win a third consecutive Division II boys title, but will receive a significant challenge from Campo Verde. Catalina Foothills and Gila Ridge are also in contention after winning sectionals.