DOVER — Looking at the NHIAA cross country championships this Saturday at Derryfield Park in Manchester, several things are apparent: The shift of power has gone from Class L to Class I, the nationally ranked Hanover girls are a clear favorite in Class I so the battle will be for runners-up hardware, and St. Thomas senior Rachel Schneider has a shot at winning the Class I individual crown.

The Hanover girls, who were ranked as high as fourth nationally in 2007, have been pretty much penciled in as 2008 champs, but Merrimack Valley and two local teams, Coe-Brown and Oyster River, should battle for second-place and a berth in the Meet of Champions on Nov. 1 at Nashua South High School.

The championships will start at 10 a.m. with the Class L girls race, followed by the boys race at 10:45 a.m. The Class I girls will run at 11:30 a.m., followed by the boys at 12:05 p.m., while Class M-S will conclude the action at 12:55 p.m. (girls) and 1:25 p.m. (boys).

The Oyster River girls will be led by the sister duo of senior Eileen Slavin and sophomore Marina Slavin. Coach Carol Gephart figures the two can finish in the top 10.