It's Championships Galore On Conference Tuesday!

Weather: Mostly sunny, low 60s

BOYS

Top Teams: Greenway/Nashwauk-Keewatin (29 points), Grand Rapids (63), International Falls (74)

Top Individuals: Geno Uhrbom (GNK, 15:48), Tyler Norgord (Grand Rapids, 16:45), Garrett Beckrich (Grand Rapids, 17:02), Greg Peterson (GNK, 17:03)

The Skinny: The 4th-ranked GNK boys look like the team to beat, as they're projected to place 5 in the top 12. However, they have little room for error, because their 6th man is significantly further back. Their frontrunner, freshman stud Geno Uhrbom, should win without almost any competition, as Tyler Norgord is the only other athlete who has broken 17:00 on the year. He holds the top ranking in the Class A, and his performance here could help indicate his chances of winning the State title as just a freshman.

GIRLS

Top Teams: Hibbing (74 points, 6th girl scoring 26), Mesabi East (74, 6th girl scoring 36), Grand Rapids (76)

Top Individuals: Ava Hill (Mesabi East, 18:45), Emma Stertz (Grand Rapids, 19:23), Brooke Niska (Mountain Iron-Buhl, 20:11)

The Skinny: Like Uhrbom, if it's a good day for her, Ava Hill will likely cruise to an easy conference title. In her first year of cross country, the 2017 Class A 800m State champ has been outstanding. When running at her best, the only runner who's taken her down (let along finish close to her) is last year's Class A State champion Tierney Wolfgram. In the team battle, it literally can barely get any closer than what the virtual meet results predict. It should be a very tight battle. That being said, with both Grand Rapids and Mesabi East projected to have an enormous 1-5 spread of over 4 minutes, Hibbing holds the advantage.