PREVIEW
Saint Peter Early Bird
Location: St. Peter HS, Saint Peter
Weather: Mid 60s, potential thunderstorms, very high humidity
BOYS
Virtual Meet Projections: Saint James (20 points), Saint Peter (42 points)
Top Individuals: Bailey More (St. Peter, 16:51), Seth Pierson (St. James, 17:02), Troy Parulski (St. James, 17:03)
The Skinny: The main focus of this meet will be on the second-ranked St. James boys, who only lost one member (albeit their top runner, Lukas Pierson) from their runner up squad in 2017. Troy Parulski will be the most likely to fill Pierson's footsteps after finishing 43rd at State a year ago. However, he will not be favored for the individual win, as Bailey More finished just four spots out of All-State in 2017 and ran over 20 seconds faster than Parulski at the Fairmont Early Bird Invitational. Seth Pierson of St. James should also be in the top three, as each of these runners have a PR over 20 seconds faster than the rest of the field.
GIRLS
Virtual Meet Projection: Saint Peter (23 points), Sleepy Eye Saint Mary's (50 points)
Top Individuals: Izzy Lind (St. Peter, 19:14), Abigail Hagen (Sleepy Eye St. Mary's, 21:05)
The Skinny: After finishing 33rd at State a year ago, Izzy Lind should contend for an All-State position this season. She opened with a solid 16:18 4k at the Fairmont Early Bird Invite and should be well ahead of the field at this meet. The next fastest time from 2017 belongs to Abigail Hagen, at 21:05. Hagen should lead the chase pack, but St. Peter's greater overall depth should likely bring them the victory. St. James should also be in the mix for 2nd.
(written by Sam O'Donnell-Hoff)