| #4 Valparaiso Vikings - State Champions: 2000
- State Runner Ups: 2005
- State Finalists: 2001 (13th), 2002 (5th), 2004 (20th), 2008 (14th), 2009 (19th)
- Semi State Champions: 2000, 2002, 2005
- Regional Champions: 2000, 2002, 2005
- Sectional Champions: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005
The Valparaiso Vikings have been a powerhouse team in "The Region" throughout the majority of the decade. They have had a few "down" years at the state meet, but also have had some of the best teams. The 2000 Vikings were one of the best teams of the decade and the 2005 Vikings may have been one of the best teams to not win a state title. Personally, I was raised to hate the color green, simply because they were always a team we were looking to beat (I still hate the all-white singlets at the state meet... but they are always there). Coaches Mike Prow and Aaron Crague have proven to be a great duo working together in order to develop very solid runners. It has been awhile since the Vikings have had a true "front-runner", but they always have guys putting them in the hunt at the semi state meet. Valparaiso is not only one of the best teams of this decade, but in the history of the sport. They have 6 state titles to their program's name. They also may have one of the most intense cheering sections at the semi-state meet when the actual viking ship is in attendance. Not sure if they still do that to this day or not. | |