PREVIEW
Rochester Mayo Invite
Location: Eastwood Golf Course, Rochester
Weather: Low 80s and windy
BOYS
Virtual Meet Projection: Red Wing (42), Winona (74), Rosemount (95), Austin (141), Eastview (153)
Top Individuals: Luke Labatte (Rosemount, 15:23), Tom Nemanich (Red Wing, 15:38), Henry Hinchcliffe (Austin, 15:57), Tucker Wallin (Red Wing, 16:00), Carter Briggs (Winona, 16:05), Colten Brand (Winona, 16:12), Weston Wyatt (Red Wing, 16:13), AJ Green (Eastview, 16:24)
The Skinny: The individual race is looking to be lead by Luke Labatte of Rosemount who is currently ranked third in Class AA which matches his finish from the 2017 state championships. He is yet to run the 5k distance this year as his only performance comes from a 2-mile race where he finished second to Acer Iverson (ranked second). The battle will be a close one with Tom Nemanich and Weston Wyatt of Red Wing, Henry Hinchcliffe of Austin and the Winona due of Carter Briggs and Colton Brand. The team race will be very interesting and could shake up the rankings. Red Wing comes in ranked fourth in the state, Eastview tenth and Winona eleventh, plus the unranked historical powerhouse of Rosemount (Stillwater is holding out their top varsity team until the Heartland Classic on Saturday). On paper, Red Wing has the win and has looked incredible in their early season showings this year. This isn't the first time that Red Wing has taken on a bunch of ranked teams either, with them coming away with a strong win at the St. Olaf Showcase, but one team the virtual meet does underrate is Eastview, whose early season success has resulted in a lot of PRs (while most of the times used in the virtual meet for the teams ahead of them are from last season). Just like Bauman/Rovn proved they could compete with the best in the state, this race should give us another indication of just how strong they are.
GIRLS
Virtual Meet Projection: Onalaska (79), Red Wing (106), Stillwater (114), Rochester Century (176), Rosemount (184), Cotter (203)
Top Individuals: Lauren Ping (Cotter, 17:07), Grace Ping (Cotter, 17:45), Avery Braunshausen (Stillwater, 18:15), Kora Malecek (Onalaska, 18:17), Analee Weaver (Stillwater, 18:34), Tenley Nelson (Luverne, 18:35), Helen Li (Rochester Century, 18:36), Natasha Sortland (ZMKW, 18:37), Grace Johnson (Red Wing, 18:52)
The Skinny: The team from Wisconsin of Onalaska High School looks to take the win ahead of Minnesota teams Red Wing and Stillwater. Onalaska finished third in the Division One section of the Wisconsin State meet with their top individual of Kora Malecek finishing in eleventh last season. Of course, early season returns from Stillwater have looked incredible so far, so this race could go a long way towards establishing how good they could be if they take the win here. Cotter may not be in the running to win the title against these teams but they are currently tied with Perham for the first ranking in Class A and will be trying to hold their own against these Class AA teams today. As usual when they are in the race, one of the Ping sisters will capture the title but it is the question of which one. Grace is ranked second ahead of Lauren's third in Class A, and that is the order that they have finished in both their races this year. It is a fun sibling rivalry to watch as they battle for the win. Grace Johnson of Red Wing is currently ranked eleventh in Class AA and looks to be back in good form after a tough year last year. She could be the one that closes the gap behind the Ping sisters.
(written by Emma Benner)