Section 4AA Championships
Location: U of M's Les Bolstad Golf Course
Weather: Mid 50s, mostly cloudy
BOYS
Season Best Projection: Stillwater (25 points), White Bear Lake (46 points)
Season Average Projection: Stillwater (23 points), White Bear Lake (45 points)
Top Individuals: Acer Iverson (Roseville, 15:40), Addison Stansbury (Stillwater, 15:50), Joe Hesse-Withbroe (Stillwater, 16:21), Ben Vanderbosch (White Bear Lake, 16:25), Jack Degonda (Stillwater, 16:27), Mike Rohlinger (White Bear Lake, 16:27), Lars Dewall (Stillwater, 16:29), Ben Wicklund (Stillwater, 16:30), Mickies Kiros (St. Paul Central, 16:31)
The Skinny: Stillwater and White Bear Lake have dominated the boys' side of Section 4AA over the past few years, and it's a pretty safe bet to assume that trend will continue this season. Each squad is ranked in the top 5 in Minnesota, and rightfully so. They're both incredibly deep from 1-7 (sub-16:50 for both teams), creating a battle for 3rd. Though the Ponies have historically been elite, this might be the best White Bear Lake team in recent memory, and their performance here could indicate their chances of a podium finish at State. However, with such strong teams, the fight for individual berths to State is wide open. There should be seven of them up for grabs, because this section is home to Acer Iverson, Minnesota's top ranked runner. Without much competition here, Iverson will likely go into State with an undefeated record. Behind him though, there should be a huge pack, possibly led by sophomore star Mickies Kiros.
GIRLS
Season Best Projection: Roseville (50 points), Stillwater (85 points), Saint Paul Highland Park (87 points), White Bear Lake (93 points)
Season Average Projection: Roseville (39 points), Stillwater (66 points), White Bear Lake (74 points)
Top Individuals: Bergen Haag (Roseville, 18:38), Molly Moening (St. Paul Highland Park, 19:10), Maggie Blanding (White Bear Lake, 19:12), Samantha Kurkowski (Roseville, 19:17), Avery Braunshausen (Stillwater, 19:18), Analee Weaver (Stillwater, 19:18)
The Skinny: As the girls race lacks some of the firepower that the boys race has, there are a lot more teams in contention for a berth to State. Roseville looks to be in the driver's seat, as they placed higher than both the Ponies and the Bears at the Suburban East Conference Championships, while racing without their 1st runner, Bergen Haag. However, Stillwater has also defeated a full strength Roseville squad twice this year, so with a better day from their 3-5 athletes, they should be the favorites for the second State berth. Highland Park and White Bear Lake aren't much behind, and are definitely within range of pulling an upset. 10th-ranked Haag has had the strongest season so far, but she suffered a sprained ankle and missed her conference meet, so the door could be open for someone else to emerge as section champion. The top candidate to do so is likely Molly Moening. Moening was the runner-up last year, and holds a 19:10 SB. Maggie Blanding's best is only two seconds back of that, so she could also surprise.