What to make of Fountain-Fort Carson’s chances at repeating in Class 5A boys’ track and field? Are the Trojans good enough? What about Palmer Ridge? Who could knock the Bears off in 4A?

As we go deeper into the 2015 season, the questions will only get louder for the defending boys’ track and field champions. The pressure, the expectations, they’ll only swell.

This is just a preview.

“The outside noise can be draining if you let it,” Palmer Ridge coach Kelly Christensen said. “If we didn’t have the support of our parents and everyone around the program, it could get distracting.”

For good reason though, his team has the Class 4A field’s full attention.

The Bears dominated the state track meet last season, followed by a cross country title in the fall. And if their bodies can hold up, they should be among the favorites to win another one this spring.

Eric Hamer is one reason why. After he broke the tape at state cross country in October, the Palmer Ridge senior took fourth at both the Nike Nationals and Cross Country Championships. And because of it he earned a spot on the USA team and will run for the country at the World Cross Country Championship in China on March 28.

He should be considered an early favorite to win the 3,200 and 1,600 in 4A. And he’s fine with that expectation.

“I think there is always pressure if you want to do your best,” Hamer said. “You might think, well, just ignore it. But I think you let the outside expectations and noise drive you to be at your best. Turn the pressure into your best performance.”

Caleb Ojennes is another reason. The junior has gained about 15 pounds of muscle since he helped lead the 800 and 1,600 relays to 4A state records last season. And he should be a favorite in a handful of sprint events again this year.

Logan Malone (sprints), Kyle Rex (pole vault), Jordan Swango (jumps), in the meantime, should be in the running for individual titles as well for the Bears.

A target is on all of their backs, Christensen said.

“People want to dethrone us,” Christensen said. “There’s no question about it. We have to know that and be ready to respond.”

Unlike Palmer Ridge, Fountain-Fort Carson needed some late dramatics to prevail in 5A last year. It won with 76 points followed by Grandview’s 74 and Cherokee Trail’s 70.

It could be that close again, Trojans coach Ben Montoya said.

“I hear from the (assistant) coaches that we should have a good shot again this year – but I am hesitant saying it,” Montoya said. “It’s tough to say at this point. There are a lot of good teams.”

The Trojans reloaded after losing some key seniors off last year’s roster.

Back is Christian Lyon, a state threat in the sprinting events, as are Charles Tigner and Duane McClurkin in the long and high jump.

Jordan Smith, who moved away last season, returns and is formidable state threat in the sprinting events. So are Juan Sabino and Tevin Donnell.

Dylan Day and Phillip Benjamin Thomas should add depth in the middle- and long-distance events.

The relays, sprints, jumps, 800 and 1,600 should also be the strong suits, Montoya said.

“I don’t know whether we are better than last year’s team, but we should be strong,” Montoya said. “The kids get asked ‘You going to win state again?’ So I’m sure it’s always in the back of their minds. But we’ll have to see what happens.”

Fountain-Fort Carson won the CSU-Pueblo Early Bird Invitational on Saturday. Palmer Ridge took second.