1. Does BV North have the depth for a 6A repeat?</p><p>Blue Valley North edged Olathe East by 21 points to end an eight-year drought at the Kansas 6A state boys swimming and diving championships last year. The Mustangs won seven state titles from 1991-2002, including five in a row beginning in 1998. The task could be tougher without BV North&#x2019;s lone state champion from last season, Griffin Peavey, who won the 100-yard breaststroke as a senior. Of course, judging by the Mustangs&#x2019; demolition of the East Kansas League field two weeks ago, depth might carry coach Derek Berg&#x2019;s boys to another title all the same.</p><p>2. SM East hopes for return to 6A summit</p><p>If any team can match BV North&#x2019;s depth, it is probably Shawnee Mission East, which claimed the Sunflower League title for the ninth straight time two weeks ago in equally dominating fashion. The Lancers, who beat the Mustangs head-to-head in a dual last month, had won five of six state championships before settling for fifth last season, but coach Wiley Wright&#x2019;s boys will be eager to add to the program&#x2019;s 11 state crowns. Junior Troy DeMoss, who claimed league titles in the 200-yard individual medley and 100 backstroke, leads the SM East pack.</p><p>3. Tigers set up for 5-1A repeat?</p><p>Blue Valley crushed the competition in the second Kansas 5-1A state meet last season, totaling 381 points. That was 145 points ahead of runner-up Bishop Carroll. The Tigers are under a new coach, Adam Bien, who stepped in for the late Greg House, who passed away in August from lung cancer. While this season&#x2019;s squad doesn&#x2019;t appear quite as dominant, look for Blue Valley to repeat behind senior freestyle specialist Austin Averkamp, who is the reigning state champ in the 50-yard freestyle, and junior Chris Hearl, who is eyeing a double-gold repeat in the 100 backstroke and 100 butterfly.</p><p>4. Who will be 6A&#x2019;s top swimmer?</p><p>Reigning Kansas 6A state swimmer of the year, Ben Bravence, won&#x2019;t be able to defend his title or the championships he won in the 200- and 500-yard freestyles after breaking his hand. That leaves the door wide open for BV North senior Sihan Liu, who is the favorite in the 100- and 200-yard freestyle races. But don&#x2019;t overlook Lawrence senior Zach Andregg, who has the top qualifying times in the 50 and 500 freestyle events.</p><p>5. Can Maginn do it again?</p><p>St. James Academy junior Heath Maginn enjoyed his first foray into the high school swimming ranks, winning the Kansas 5-1A 200-yard individual medley and 500 freestyle last season. Now, he returns as the favorite in both events once again, hoping to pull off the rare back-to-back double gold medals. In the 6A ranks, Olathe Northwest junior Zach Willis owns the top seed in the 100 breaststroke, and Lawrence Free State junior Ben Sloan owns the top 100 butterfly seed.