Pre-Season National Boys XC Team Rankings Countdown

If you don't think Minnesota is a top cross country state, then think again. Just like the Shenendehowa girls of New York's infamous Section II, the Edina boys did not even make their own state meet yet were good enough to qualify for NXN in 2014. The Hornets were defeated by Wayzata and Hopkins en route to state, then came up with a big performance to take runners-up in the team standings at NXR-Heartland, then ninth at the big show. Edina looks good this season because they return six of seven from that squad, a rarity on a top-placing boys team.

The lone loss is No. 1 runner Logan Ramlet, who led the pack but was not an insurmountable lead runner. Rising senior Sam Thomas returns with the fastest 5k time (15:55), though rising junior Patrick Roos was the No. 2 runner at NXN. Jack Manderscheid, No. 3 for Edina at NXN 2014, had the best track season with PRs of 9:18 for 3200m and 4:22 for 1600m. Transfer Zac Miller ran 9:41 for 3200m as a sophomore last spring and should make an immediate impact.

The Edina boys' strength lies in their group-wide experience at the championship level and 52-second top five spread based on returning PRs.

Top Returnees from 2014 XC Season:

1) Sam Thomas15:55.40141
2) Jonathan Shirley16:01.70185
3) Patrick Roos16:02.50190
4) Jack Manderscheid16:10.00249
5) Noah Chestler16:47.60640
Average Time: 16:11.44 Total Time: 1:20:57.20 1-5 Split: 52.20
6) Sam Elliot16:48.70657
7) Owen Smalley16:50.10675

Top Returning 3200m Times from 2015 Outdoor Season:

1) Jack Manderscheid9:18.9540
2) Sam Thomas9:25.1153
3) Patrick Roos9:38.89112
4) Owen Smalley9:51.95225
5) Thomas Schauerman10:05.24376
Average Time: 9:40.03 Total Time: 48:20.14 1-5 Split: 46.29
Top Returning 1600m Times from 2015 Outdoor Season:
1) Jack Manderscheid4:22.86119
2) Sam Thomas4:25.94194
3) Sam Elliot4:33.77458
4) Patrick Roos4:35.77553
Average Time: 4:29.59 Total Time: 17:58.34 1-4 Split: 12.91



Pre-Season Q&A with Head Coach Jamie Kirkpatrick

MileSplit: How many years have you been coaching high school cross country (and at Edina)?

Jamie Kirkpatrick: This will be my 16th year, and 14th at Edina.

Last year the Edina team placed 9th at NXN and return runners 2-7 from that team in Portland. Considering that impressive stat, do you think this could be one of the best Edina teams in recent memory?

On paper, this is the best incoming group we’ve ever had. The top-5 returners ran over 10 seconds faster on average for 3200 this spring than any team we’ve had at Edina. That being said, we have a long ways to go and a lot still has to fall into place for this squad.

In 2013, Edina placed 10th at NXN (9th in in 2014). What is the main thing the guys need to do or focus on to not only return to NXN but continue this trend of top 10 performances getting closer and closer to the win? In contrast, what is the biggest obstacle or challenge that may prevent them from continual success at the national level?

We need to remember to take things one day at a time and not get ahead of ourselves. We talk a lot of focusing on the process and getting better each day, and that’s exactly what we need to do. In terms of obstacles, in my experience it’s the stuff that you can’t control and/or don’t see coming that gets you. I think a big challenge (for everyone) is how so many programs are upping the game all the time - we have to figure out how to keep getting better.

Speaking of NXN, what are some of the main goals for this Edina team? What process goals are put in place to help them achieve these goals?

I know the guys want to get back to the Minnesota State Meet. We had a nice little streak of qualifying going, and I’m sure there is a bit of a bad taste in their mouth after not qualifying last fall. Also, our cross country program has never won a State title, and that’s a bit of a “thing” at Edina. Our high school has over 150 State titles in athletics - we need to start contributing! Then, of course, there is NXN. It’s such an unparalleled experience for the kids that get to experience it. So of course with so many guys coming back from last year’s squad, they want back in - and to keep improving our results there (18th in 2010, 10th in 2013 & 9th in 2014).

I’d say our process goals surround what I mentioned earlier about not getting ahead of ourselves and using our practice time every day to become better runners. We also try to focus on races and racing strategy that will help us prepare for the championship season.

Last XC season after the boys got 3rd place at their conference meet and then 3rd at their section meet (both times losing to Wayzata and Hopkins), thus not making it to the Minnesota State Meet as a team, how did the team regroup and perform well at NXR Heartland, placing 2nd behind Wayzata?

Yeah, that was a bit wild. It was just a matter of putting all the pieces together at the right time. We kept things as positive as we could and reminded them that no one individual had to do something they hadn’t already done, they just needed to put it together on the day. So, I think deep down, they knew we were good enough to make a run at it if we got firing on all cylinders, and that’s what happened.

Speak to strength of the Lake Conference with Edina, Wayzata, and Hopkins. Why does this particular area southwest of Minneapolis, MN produce some of the best XC teams in the nation? How does this local talent, and perhaps rivalries, help propel the Edina team to new heights?

I’ve said many, many times that our team would not be anywhere as good as we have been without the competition we face right in our back yard. I’m not sure why this group of schools has produced so many good teams - probably a combination of factors. We are certainly in a very good situation as coaches - we have great participation, communities that value achievement and kids that are eager to work very hard. Add that to the competitive environment, and you can get some pretty great results.

As mentioned earlier, Edina returns 6 of its top 7 but lose #1 runner Logan Ramlet. Who is your projected top 7 heading into the fall?

We have a host of guys that could be in the mix this fall - obviously the guys we return - Patrick Roos, Jack Manderscheid, Sam Thomas, Noah Chestler & Sam Elliott. We also have a handful of guys that were in and out of our top-7 last fall and/or have made a lot of progress in the last 9 months. Juniors Owen Smalley, Thomas Schauerman, Louis LeFebvre and Max Kuhs as well as senior Drew Elliott & soph George Nowak. Additionally, we have a transfer, Zac Miller who ran 9:41 as a soph this spring. I would not be surprised to see any of those 12 guys in our top-7.

Any impactful freshmen or transfers to join the team this season?

As mentioned, transfer Zac Miller has the ability to score for our squad.

Considering the amount of runners returning from last year’s squad, is this group healthy and injury free approaching September?

As a whole, we are happy and healthy (knock on wood), with one exception. Zac Miller managed to get his foot run over by a commercial grade lawn mower and his just getting back into some training following surgery. Other than that, it’s just the normal little stuff that comes with training at a high level.

What are the top invitational meets that your team will be attending this season?

We attend 2 very solid invitationals in Iowa for our first two meets of the season (Spartan Challenge - hosted by Pleasant Valley High in Bettendorf & the Heartland Classic hosted by Des Moines Roosevelt in Ames on the Iowa State campus). We follow that up with our biggest invitational - the Roy Griak before moving on to our championship season.

Edina is a strong program on both the girls and guys side. What do you attribute as the main reasons for the success of the boys program?

You’re right, our girls program has really taken off. And our current girls coach, Matt Gabrielson, is also a key factor in the success of our boys team (he was an assistant for 5 years before taking over the girls in 2011). As to the reasons for our success, again we have a great situation at Edina. We get tons of kids that want to participate in cross country and are willing to do the work and make the sacrifices necessary to be successful in this sport.

What would be the best way to describe your style and philosophy of coaching and working with high school runners?

That’s a tough one, because every kid is different. So, maybe that is my style and philosophy. I feel you have to take every athlete and realize that the needs of that kid are unique and try to understand what they are trying to get out of our great sport and start from there.

What are your core beliefs in your training plan and workouts for your cross country squad?

Our training plan starts with the a few main tenants. One, we stress long term development over short term success. Two, our main training focus is on aerobic development. Three, we want to prepare for the specific demands of the races in the championship season. And finally, and we stress this a lot with our guys - we are going to all of a sudden change things up at the end of the season.

Who are your team captains or leaders and what stands out about them as examples for the rest of their teammates?

We have 3 varsity captains, Sam Thomas, Noah Chestler and Jack Manderscheid. Sam is a tireless worker. Noah is a great student of the sport. Jack is an incredibly talented guy that has battled quite a few injuries and has done it gracefully and come back stronger than ever.

Who have you been most impressed or surprised with their improvement and/or fitness from their summer training?

Lots of the guys have had awesome summers. This is the first summer of consistent training for Jack Manderscheid or Patrick Roos, and they are both looking great relative to this point last year. Sam Thomas has continued the consistent progression he has shown all through high school. Sam Elliott showed great promise this spring in the middle distances (2:00 and 4:27 as a frosh), and has now upped his strength game a ton. And Thomas Schauerman has had a great block of training - we will see where that takes him.

How has summer training been going for the team? What weekly mileage are some of the top guys running? Do you delve much into hard workouts over the summer or is it more of just building the base for the season?

Like I said, lots of our guys have had awesome summers. I think it was the most consistent summer we’ve had since I’ve been coaching. We have a pretty wide range of mileage - our program is pretty individualized. So, for our varsity returners, their peak summer mileage ranged from ~45 to ~80. We do a few workouts during the summer, but they are more “transitional” in nature. Our hardest summer workouts are probably some of the long runs that get a bit salty towards the end.

What is a favorite annual or common pre-season workout or run for your team?

Speaking of salty finishes to runs… we have an annual team camp near Annandale, MN (about and hour west of Minneapolis) that has some pretty hilly gravel roads. Camp always ends with a long run the morning we leave and that usually gets pretty “interesting”. This summer, Patrick Roos was the new sheriff in town, so to speak.

What is a favorite annual or common mid-season workout for your team?

I’d say our “bread and butter” is a long run with a progressive finish. Oh, and the races, they are good workouts too.

What is a favorite annual or common championship season or end-of-season workout for your team?

The last two years, I’d say our favorite workout has been the cool down at the Nike Heartland Regional Meet.

In conclusion, what makes this group of guys special and unique?

This group is pretty unique in that we have so many guys coming back, especially considering the success they experienced at the end of last season. I’m excited to see what they can do.

Anything else to add, Coach Kirkpatrick?

I don’t think so, other than to thank you for all your hard work in covering our great sport.