Let us first start with the anti-Carmel fans.  They will point out that Carmel has "only" won 1 state title (especially compared to Columbus North's 3).  They do bring up a very good point.  However, you then look at their results and see their 3 runner up finishes, which both Columbus North and Carmel have 4 finishes in the top 2.  Lastly, you see that they made it all 10 years to the state meet, out of a very tough sectional, regional and semi state route.  Beyond that, they have won those races often.  A few other teams have made it all 10 years, but none have their lowest finish being 4th in the state.

Carmel may not have the state titles, but they have plenty of state medals to earn themselves this place atop the rankings.  This year was a story of "transition" for the greyhounds as they lost hall-of-fame calibur Coach Chuck Koeppen.  However, it seems that Doc Bell did more than enough to replace him.

Carmel is simply a dominant program that has their middle school kids coming up, and sheer numbers (nearly 100) that are intimidating to any field of teams that they show up to race.  The 2008 team was most likely robbed of an NXN trip, but the Greyhounds will be in the mix to win every year.  That is something this program has established as an expectation.