Predicting who might win the indoor track & field championships -- and those who could challenge

The N.C. High School Athletic Association indoor track & field championships are Friday and Saturday at Winston-Salem's JDL Fast Track facility.

Your defending state champions on the boys' side are Cuthbertson (4A), Franklin (3A), and East Burke (1A/2A).

On the girls' side, your defending state champs are: Cuthbertson (4A), Dudley (3A), and Swain County (1A/2A).

We give our thoughts at who is the favorite at winning the team competitions this year, as well as MVP honors, and a look at those who could challenge.

4A preview

Boys' favorite: Cuthbertson

Boys' dark horses: Garner, Mallard Creek, Davie County, Mount Tabor, Parkland, Ardrey Kell, Reagan

Boys' MVP favorite: Antwan Hughes Jr., Parkland

Boys' MVP dark horses: Noah Valyo, Athens Drive; Desmond Smith, Hillside;

Girls' favorite: Cuthbertson

Girls' dark horses: Grimsley, Garner, Marvin Ridge, Weddington, Mount Tabor

Girls' MVP favorite: Aria Wegh, Marvin Ridge

Girls' MVP dark horses: Stella Kermes, Cuthbertson; Hannah Rae Shaffer, Cardinal Gibbons; Mary Bonner Dalton, Myers Park; Charlotte Bell, Cuthbertson; Joslyn Hamilton, Rolesville, Kirstin Smalls, Panther Creek; Kori Randle, Garner

3A preview

Boys' favorite: Croatan

Boys' dark horses: Southern Guilford, Franklin, Central Academy, Dudley

Boys' MVP favorite: Hudson Rice, West Henderson

Boys' MVP dark horses: Adeniyi Adegorioye, Dudley; Dasan Davis, J.H. Rose, Elijah Cochran, Franklin

Girls' favorite: West Carteret

Girls' dark horses: Franklin, Atkins, Dudley

Girls' MVP favorite: Tianna Spinks, Southern Guilford

Girls' MVP dark horses: Janiya Johnson, Statesville; Emma Hall, West Henderson; Morgan Miller, First Flight; Olivia Ferraro, North Lincoln

1A/2A preview

Boys' favorite: East Burke

Boys' dark horses: Northeastern, T.W. Andrews

Boys' MVP favorite: Kenneth Byrd, East Burke

Boys' MVP dark horses: Jeremiah King, T.W. Andrews; Cole Fiorillo, Corvian Community; Jack Anstrom, Seaforth

Girls' favorite: Cummings

Girls' dark horses: Swain County, Hertford County, Salisbury

Girls' MVP favorite: D'Anna Cotton, Cummings

Girls' MVP dark horses: Zoie Shuler, Robbinsville; Arizona Blankenship, Swain County; Shari Jackson, South Granville; Aniya Edwards, Elkin