Luke Labatte and Anna Fenske Hope To Sweep The South Suburban

2017 Minnesota XC Meet Previews

Oct 13, 2017

South Suburban Conference Championships

Weather: 58ºF and cloudy

BOYS:

Top Teams: Rosemount (20 points), Lakeville North (102), Lakeville South (109), Farmington (122)

Top Individuals: Luke Labatte (Rosemount, 15:38), Spencer Schultz (Rosemount, 15:58), Mark Biechler (Rosemount, 16:19), Trenton Allen (Eagan, 16:23), Jack Otterson (Lakeville South, 16:25), Nicholas Kartschoke (Prior Lake, 16:34), Noah Revels (Farmington, 16:40), Matsola Bein (Burnsville, 16:43), Bryant Ruff (Eastview, 16:43), Sam Moerbitz (Lakeville South, 16:47)

The Skinny: This meet should show fans how much of a force the Rosemount boys (who earned votes in the most recent coaches rankings) could be at State. Though their squad all ran scorching times at the Owatonna Ev Berg Invitational, each of their scorers ran season bests by 58 seconds or more (for many, closer to 1:30) so this race should reveal how much of an aid the course was to those times. And individually, 6th-ranked Luke Labatte is the heavy favorite, though he'll be tested by Trenton Allen, the 3rd returner to State, along with 14 other sub-17 athletes.

GIRLS:

Top Teams: Rosemount (48 points), Lakeville North (72), Lakeville South (75), Farmington (90)

Top Individuals: Anna Fenske (Farmington, 18:07), Brianne Brewster (Lakeville South, 18:27), Lauren Peterson (Farmington, 18:49) Dani Follett-Dion (Rosemount, 19:19), Patty Jo English (Lakeville South, 19:21), Mallory Stach (Prior Lake, 19:25), Kaori Zeller (Lakeville North, 19:27), Jayda Becker (Shakopee, 19:29)

The Skinny: Though she's ranked 3rd in the State, the 2016 State champ Fenske is actually running better at this point in the season than she was last year, so she's the heavy favorite. Her teammate Peterson has somewhat struggled in 2017, but had a strong 18:49 effort at the Farmington Cowbell Classic, indicating she's back on track. 7th-ranked Brianne Brewster has had an extremely successful campaign, so she could contend as well. Farmington and Rosemount each received votes in the coaches poll, so it will also be interesting to see if Rosemount's depth can counter the Tigers' frontrunners, but watch out also for the Cougers of Lakeville South.