Fairmont Early Bird (Fri. 8/23)
Tenley Nelson and MNXCCA class A top ranked Luverne will open at Fairmont on Friday.
Location: Cedar Creek GC, Fairmont
Weather: Low 70's, partly cloudy, 67% humidity
BOYS:
Virtual Meet Projection: Saint James High School (28), Fairmont (75), Luverne (99)
Individuals to watch: Grant Strukel (Blue Earth, 16:18), Seth Pierson (Saint James, 16:41), William Saari (Fairmont, 16:48), Troy Parulski (Saint James, 16:49)
The Skinny: The race today will be a preview of what is to come for the Section 2A and Big South Conference meets this year as the teams matchup. Grant Strukel finished his cross country season last year the strongest of this group. He was the runner up at the Section 2A race and went on to finish 28th at the state meet. Seth Pierson did beat him at The Big South Conference last year where Pierson was 2nd to Strukel's 3rd. Pierson will be running to lead his Saint James team to victory at this race.
GIRLS:
Virtual Meet Projection: Luverne (37.5), Waterville-Elysian-Morristown High School (73), Fairmont High School (82)
Individuals to watch: Tenley Nelson (Luverne, 18:13), Regan Feit (Luverne, 19:03), Paola Acevedo (Saint James, 19:19), Hadley Stuehrenberg (Saint Peter, 19:22), Laura Thompson (Fairmont, 19:24)
The Skinny: The team from Luverne looks to lead the way with the team title and top two finishers. Fairmont and Waterville-Elysian-Morristown will have a close battle for second place. Tenley Nelson of Luverne looks to be the clear standout runner of the field and will likely be followed by teammate Regan Feit. Feit will have some challengers in Paola Acevedo, Hadley Stuehrenberg, and Laura Thompson. Nelson was the 7th place finisher at last year's state meet and continued on to an impressive track season. Feit has an interesting story as she competes in the hurdles and pole vault during the track season but also shines on the cross country course, as the runner of in the Big South Conference meet and 20th at the state meet last year.