Lake Conference Showdown Highlights The Day

2017 Minnesota XC Meet Previews

Oct 12, 2017

Madelia Invitational

Weather: 60 degrees, considerable wind, high humidity

BOYS

Top Teams: Mankato Loyola (35 points), G-F-W (42), Martin County West (73)

Top Individuals: Ryan Albrecht (G-F-W, 16:45), Mitch Johnstone (Mankato Loyola, 16:52), Javie Victorino (G-F-W, 16:57), Carson Kahler (Martin County West, 17:10), Kaden Cameron (Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 17:20)

The Skinny: Mankato Loyola has been killing it this season, having yet to finish in a place other than first as a team, while G-F-W is slowly starting to come on after a slow start to the season. Our virtual meet puts Loyola at a seven-point advantage, but Loyola has also defeated their Class A rivals three times this year pretty handily. It will be very interesting to see how much has changed since they last faced off at Milaca.

GIRLS

Top Teams: Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial (49 points), Martin County West (88)

Top Individuals: Marissa Whitehead (Martin County West, 19:00), Makenna Thurston (Makenna Thurston, LCWM, 19:30), Grace Feder (G-F-W, 20:18), Sylvia Rodriguez (Madelia/Truman, 20:41), Grace Moeller (LCWM, 20:51)

The Skinny: LCWM has a pretty strong hold on first in this competition if our virtual meet is to be believed, but Martin County West has also managed to put together some great races this year, so it isn't out of the realm of possibility for them to make things pretty interesting. But without a doubt the most interesting thing in the race will be the battle between Marissa Whitehead and Makenna Thurston, who have not faced off against each other since the first meet of the season at Mountain Lake, where Whitehead held a 12-second advantage. It is worth noting, however, that Thurston did not compete with her team in their last race at Sleepy Eye, so this intrigue is lost if she is unable to run.