Conference Tuesday - The Biggest Day Of XC Of The Year

Location: Blueberry Pines Golf Course, Menahga

Weather: Partly Cloudy with a high of 41.

BOYS

Virtual Meet Projections: Wadena-Deer Creek (21), Ottertail Central (38), United North Central (Sebeka/Menahga) (81)

Top Individuals: Lucas Hinojos (Wadena-Deer Creek, 16:52), Bereket Loer (Wadena-Deer Creek, 16:55), Eli Carlson (Ottertail Central, 17:07), Isaac Ries (Wadena-Deer Creek, 17:49), Thomas Himmelspach (Ottertail Central, 18:07)

The Skinny: Wadena-Deer Creek looks to end up on top with a dominating total of 21 points, as they place six runners in the top ten of the virtual meet. Defending conference champion Ottertail Central comes the closest to their projected point total with 38, and like last year, Wadena-Deer Creek and Ottertail Central will both likely hold down most (if not all) of the top 10 finishes. Hinojos (WDC High) most notably had a PR of 16:52 at the Deer River/Northland War Eagles Invite at the end of September, and looks to possibly be the first place finisher on Tuesday. Another possible winner could be teammate Bereket Loer (WDC High) who finished 2nd at the Deer River/Northland Invite with a time of 16:55, which was also a PR. Giving both top Wadena-Deer Creek runners a challenge could be Eli Carlson (Ottertail Central) who just recently ran a personal record of 17:07 at the Perham Yellow Jacket Classic.

GIRLS

Virtual Meet Projections: Wadena-Deer Creek (37), United North Central (Sebeka/Menahga) (39), Ottertail Central (66).

Top Individuals: Annika Aho (UNC, 19:25), Abby Motschenbacher (Wadena-Deer Creek, 20:10), Kaarin Lehto (UNC, 21:16), Cadynce Norgren (Ottertail, 21:38), Katie George (Ottertail, 21:39).

The Skinny: The girl's race is a tad closer than the guys in the meet projection with Wadena-Deer Creek coming in with 37 points, compared to United North Central's total of 39. UNC is the returning champion and they were dominant last year, but will certainly face more of a challenge from Wadena this year, as all three head-to-head matchups have been close (though UNC has won all three). The top runner for the girl's race looks to be defending champion Annika Aho, who recently had a PR of 19:25 at the Perham Yellow Jacket Classic on October 4th. Motschenbacher has had a breakout season and owns a PR of 20:10 this season and is probably secure in her second-place projection as she's over a minute faster than the next runner.

(written by Austin Mielke)