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Herriman cross country star Lucy Biles liked having strong competition this year because she thought it made her a better runner.
And Davis' Aubrey Argyle provided that challenge this year.
Biles managed to become one of the rare Utah three-time cross country champions Wednesday at Sugar House Park when she beat the Davis star by a little over two seconds to win the 5A championship.
American Fork's Zac Jacklin led the Cavemen to their sixth straight boys' championship while American Fork's girls' team dethroned Davis as the 5A champion.
Biles, who is ranked 18th in the nation, capped her fine career by staving off a strong challenge from Argyle, a talented sophomore.
"I knew she would be there," Biles said about her sophomore challenger. "I was ready for it, so I was fine. … It's kind of nice to have a target on my back because it makes me want to work harder. I feel like I trained harder this year.
"The past two years, I have been out by myself. It was nice having someone there and nice to be pushed. I always do better when I have competition."
Biles said she hoped to run a little faster, but the hot weather may have slowed her time slightly.
In the girls' team title race, American Fork used a sixth-place finish by Sammy Hollingsworth, seventh from Cami Squires and 10th from Maddie Bench to dethrone defending champion Davis. The American Fork boys showed why they are currently ranked No. 1 in the U.S. They put on a dominating performance, especially since Davis, ranked third in the country, had the potential for an upset.
Davis finished second in the girls' event, 12 points behind American Fork.
Jacklin beat teammate Casey Clinger for individual honors while Cavemen runners McKay Johns finished fourth and Jacob Chase ended up in ninth.
Jacklin credited his team's hill and speed workouts for preparing him for a hard-fought victory.
"It was crazy that first bit," said Jacklin. "I fell way behind, but I just kept on going with my buddy. … About halfway, I told myself to get going and get fast and push my buddy. I wanted to see my team win today."
In a sport where the lower the team score is the better, American Fork bested second-place Davis 33-69.
Twitter: @tribtomwharton