Conference Championships Begin - Tuesday Meets

2017 Minnesota XC Meet Previews
Milesplit MN Staff

Blue Earth Area Buccaneer Invitational

Location: Riverside Town and Country Golf Course

Weather: Low 50's, cloudy, 50% chance of rain, decent wind


BOYS

Top Teams: Class A #5 Saint James (31 points), Fairmont (60), Belle Plaine (67)

Top Individuals: Lukas Pierson (Saint James, 16:26), Grant Strukel (Blue Earth Area, 16:58), Drew Hastings (Belle Plaine, 16:58), Kyle Siemon (Belle Plaine, 17:01), Troy Parulski (Saint James, 17:18)

The Skinny: Lukas Pierson has finished first in six of his seven races this year. The one he didn't, he finished second. It's hard to overstate just how good Pierson has been this year, or his Saint James squad, both should run away with their respective battles, but there will certainly be great battles behind them, as each one of the five teams in attendance has quality squads. Fairmont and Belle Plaine come out best, however, as they both have great top-end runners.

GIRLS

Top Teams: Class A #5 Fairmont (35 points), Class A #3 Belle Plaine (36)

Top Individuals: Laura Thompson (Fairmont, 19:30), Sarah Krumholz (Fairmont, 19:34), Lizzy Schmidt (Belle Plaine, 19:36), Isabelle Lind (Saint Peter, 19:42), Iliana Ramon (Fairmont, 19:43)

The Skinny: This doesn't feel like a five-team meet considering the size and importance of the team showdown - the reigning State Champion versus the ever-improving challenger. Belle Plain is deeper, without a doubt, as their 2-6 runners are only seperated by 39 seconds in their season best. But will it be enough to overcome Fairmont's big three of Thompson, Krumholz, and Ramon? Further complicating matters will be the fact that there will be three heats of the varsity race, so the team battle will be a battle against the clock. Our virtual meet has it coming down to one point. You won't want to miss this!