Predicting who might win the swimming & diving championships -- and those who could challenge

The N.C. High School Athletic Association swimming & diving championships run through Saturday at Raleigh's Pullen Aquatic Center for diving and at the Triangle Aquatic Center in Cary for swimming.

Your defending state champions on the boys' side are Providence (4A), Carrboro (3A), and Community School of Davidson (1A/2A).

On the girls' side, your defending state champs are: Myers Park (4A), Carrboro (3A) and Lincoln Charter (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: Marvin Ridge

Boys' dark horses: Cardinal Gibbons, Ardrey Kell, Providence, Myers Park, Green Level

Boys' MVP favorite: Christopher Zhang, Ardrey Kell

Boys' MVP dark horses: Sean Setzer, Ashley; Michael Rice, Marvin Ridge

Girls' favorite: Myers Park

Girls' dark horses: Charlotte Catholic, Green Hope, Marvin Ridge, Cardinal Gibbons

Girls' MVP favorite: Avery Klamfoth, Myers Park

Girls' MVP dark horses: Aubrey Hull, Ardrey Kell; Mayman Neal, Myers Park; Alyssa Claborn, Lake Norman; Mere Whelehan, Green Hope; Eliza Wallace, Ardrey Kell

3A preview

Boys' favorite: Lake Norman Charter

Boys' dark horses: Central Academy, Orange, Oak Grove, Croatan

Boys' MVP favorite: Lucca Battaglini, Durham School of the Arts

Boys' MVP dark horses: Andrew Commins, Carrboro

Girls' favorite: Lake Norman Charter

Girls' dark horses: Carrboro, J.H. Rose, Central Cabarrus.

Girls' MVP favorite: Katie Belle Sikes, Orange

Girls' MVP dark horses: Abbey Cronin, Central Cabarrus

1A/2A preview

Boys' favorite: NCSSM-Durham

Boys' dark horses: Raleigh Charter, Mountain Island Charter, CSD

Boys' MVP favorite: Leon Zhang, Raleigh Charter

Boys' MVP dark horses: Beck Armstrong, Mountain Island Charter; Alex Lee, Raleigh Charter; Luke Nebrich, West Davidson

Girls' favorite: Raleigh Charter

Girls' dark horses: Pine Lake Prep, Bishop McGuinness, NCSSM-Durham

Girls' MVP favorite: Alexandra Tysinger, Burns

Girls' MVP dark horses: Daisy Collins, Woods Charter; Kayda Geyer, Union Academy