While there were classic battles for individual state championships at this past weekend’s state track and field meet, the races for the team titles were just as riveting.

There was plenty at stake in most of the divisions when the meet drew to a close with the 1,600-meter relay. It’s always a classic event because coaches tend to stack their teams, pitting the state’s elite 400-meter dash runners against each other for the final lap.

There have been times where a school has moved from fourth place in the team standings all the way up to winning a state team championship in just that race. Once again, team championships came down to the 1,600 relay this past weekend.

Last week, we attempted to project state championship squads based solely on final regular-season times and distances. Here is a comparison of what was projected and what actually happened.

That said, here is a look how the races for state team titles shook out based on the numbers with the projection listed first, followed by the actual result.

CLASS AA BOYS

PROJECTED TOTALS: This appears to be a two-team race with Sioux Falls Lincoln leading the way. The Patriots are projected to score 117 points, just ahead of runner-up Rapid City Stevens with 104. One key event could swing this total either way.

ACTUAL RESULT: Sioux Falls Lincoln came up with a big finish in the 1,600-meter relay to secure the state championship by a mere two points. The Patriots finished with 102 points, just two more than Rapid City Stevens, which finished eighth in the 1,600. Harrisburg was third with 88 points.

CLASS AA GIRLS

PROJECTED TOTAL: There seems to be little drama involved here. Brandon Valley is primed to score major points on the way to winning the state team title with 143 points. The Lynx could potentially sweep all five relay races on the way to the championship.

ACTUAL RESULT: Brandon Valley rolled to the state team championship with 139 points points. The Lynx won four of the five relays. The next closest finisher was Spearfish with 97.5 points, Rapid City Stevens accumulated 90.

CLASS A BOYS

PROJECTED TOTAL: Things could get very interesting in this division before everything is settled. Sioux Falls Christian, normally a big favorite here, is only a slight favorite this time around. The Chargers are projected to score 66 points with Hot Springs right behind with 61. Milbank also figures to be right in the mix with 59 points. Any of these teams have a chance to win it all.

ACTUAL RESULT: Sioux Falls Christian won the 1,600-meter relay with a fantastic photo finish that catapulted the Chargers to the team championship with 68 points. Custer ended up finishing runner-up with 66, while West Central was third with 52.

CLASS A GIRLS

PROJECTED TOTAL: This looks to be a very lopsided division as Sioux Falls Christian is posed to score up to 146 points. No one else is even in the conversation. The Chargers have the top times in all five relays heading into the state tournament and have a nice cushion to work with.

ACTUAL RESULT: Sioux Falls Christian dominated the competition, scoring 75 more points than the next closest team. The Chargers ended up with 130.5 points and won all five relay races.

CLASS B BOYS

PROJECTED TOTAL: Keep your eyes on this chase for the team title. Last year Gregory and Ipswich ended in a tie and there won’t be much to separate the top three teams this year, either. Gregory is projected to score 53 points, Deubrook Area 49 and Ipswich 46. This could very well go down to the last race of the meet to determine a team champion. If it does, Deubrook Area has the top time in the 1,600-meter relay going into the state meet.

ACTUAL RESULT: This division featured an exciting battle as Gregory moved up from fourth to second place right before the finish line of the 1,600-meter relay to move into first place with 57 points. Freeman-Marion-Freeman Academy was second with 55. Deubrook Area moved up to third with 51.5 points thanks to winning to the 1,600 in meet-record time. Ipswich finished fourth with 49 points.

CLASS B GIRLS:

PROJECTED TOTAL: This also could go down the wire as two teams are projected to be within seven points of each other. Centerville has the inside track with 53 points and Burke is on pace to score 46 points. Centerville does have the third best time in the 1,600-meter relay should the chase for the crown come down to the final race.

ACTUAL RESULT: Burke ended up topping a tight field to win the state team title with 58 points. Arlington was runner-up with 51, followed by Chester with 49, Centerville with 43, and Colman-Egan with 40.