In the last five years, there are only six sports in which a 4A team from southwest Wake County hasn’t won a state title or finished runner-up.

Boys outdoor track and field is one of those – but that could change this time around.

Cary finished runner-up in 4A indoor track earlier this month. The Imps, who were also runners-up in 4A cross-country in the fall, may have lost some major contributors from last year. But they are still geared to make a run at states.

Cary – which will have to topple two-time defending state champ Knightdale – is the three-time defending Tri-9 champ.

The Imps won last year’s 4A Mideast regional title, but they didn’t finish in the top 10 at the outdoor state championships.

Cary’s Phillip Thomas is fresh off setting a new school indoor record in the pole vault (14-6), while Bakri Abushouk has four state championships already this year (cross-country and the 3,200, 1,600 and 1,000 in indoor track).

However, Cary graduated individual winners in the long jump, triple jump, discus, 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash.

Also gone are last year’s Tri-9 track MVP, the now-graduated Brian Davis, of Fuquay-Varina; and field MVP Lamar Nobles, who transferred from Athens Drive to Word of God over the summer.

In the NCISAA, Cary Academy senior Colin Godwin returns after winning the 800 and 1,600 state titles in 2012. He was also runner-up in the 3,200. The Chargers were fourth in the 3A state competition.

Cary Christian was fifth in last year’s NCISAA 1A/2A competition.

Staff Writer Tim Stevens contributed to this report.