One of the most dominant Colorado high school track and field teams in recent memory will be tested at the state meet.

Cherokee Trail High School in Aurora has brought home three consecutive 5A boys team championships. A rare feat competing in the state’s largest classification. The Cougars will seek their fourth straight title beginning on Thursday at Jeffco Stadium. Cherokee Trail started the season ranked No. 1 in the 5A coaches’ poll.

What is the program’s secret to success?

“It’s a credit to my coaches and to the kids themselves,” longtime Cherokee Trail head coach Chris Faust told The Denver Gazette. “We approached the season with the idea: What if we could win four straight? … That would be huge.”

Cherokee Trail will be well represented at the state meet.

Senior Prince David Ajibade is the top 5A qualifier in the high jump (6 feet, 7 inches). Sophomore Josh Stewart will be in contention for the 110-meter hurdles crown after breaking 14 seconds (13.97). Senior Dylan Smith is another name to watch in the 800 with the third-fastest qualifying time (1:53.02). The Cougars have several more jumpers and relays in the mix.

“You watch how hard they work,” Faust said. “You’re really hoping that they have success here at the end. That it pays off. I think for a lot of them, if definitely will.”

Faust is also realistic.

“I would not make us the favorites,” Faust said. “I think Fort Collins is the clear favorites on the boys side.”

The Lambkins have serious strength on their relay teams with 5A-leading times in the 4×200 (1:26) and the 4×400 (3:15.83). They’re loaded in those events behind senior DJ Ruff, sophomore Jackson Ruff, sophomore Preston Mozer and others. Junior Truitt Boothe also has the second-longest 5A discus throw this season (162-6).

Fort Collins established its track and field dynasty in the 1920s and ’30s. The boys’ program has won 17 state championships in history. But this would mark its first title since 2012.

“In the city of Fort Collins, Fort Collins High is known as the home of the champions,” Fort Collins coach Jeff Brennan told CHSAA.com earlier this season. “All I ever wanted to do was continue to push the program in the right direction and just try to keep it near the top of the 5A competition within the state of Colorado. We just really hit a sweet spot here with our seniors, juniors, and sophomores.”

Cherokee Trail needs several heroic performances to keep its four-peat chances alive. Faust believes in the championship pedigree of his team.

“I have faith that we will score more points than we are seeded to score, just based on what I know about our kids,” Faust said. “I told them: ‘I just want you to get the most out of your senior experience and hang your hat on the fact that you’ve been a part of something that very few people have ever been a part of. Just winning one (state title) is huge.”