Section meets have come and gone, and for most of the teams and runners in the state, the Cross Country season is over. But for 704 of the Minnesota's top runners (plus 128 team alternates), the season will last for at least one more race in Northfield, MN. Each year, the Minnesota State Cross Country Championships bring together fans and athletes from all across the race to celebrate the spirit of running and the thrill of competition. And each year everyone attending becomes a witness to history.
Course Map:
Last year, for the first time ever, a seventh-grader was crowned an individual state champion. One school successfully defended their state title, while another won a state title for the first time. On the girls side, the race distance was increased from 4000 meters to 5000 meters, but that didn't stop twin sisters from finishing first and second individually for the third consecutive year. And on the boys side, one team accumulated the lowest score seen in State competition since 2004. And after the state meet ended, Minnesota then proceeded to send 39 athletes and five teams to compete at Nike Cross Nationals in Portland, OR.
Continue reading on to see what to look for when the gun goes off this Saturday...
2016 Minnesota State XC Meet Preview: