It's Championships Galore On Conference Tuesday!

2017 Minnesota XC Meet Previews

Oct 17, 2017

Park Region Conference Championships

Weather: 68 and Sunny

BOYS

Top Teams: Wadena-Deer Creek (27 points), Ottertail Central (28 points)

Top Individuals: Noah Ross (WDC, 16:57), Eli Carlson (OTC, 17:17), Bereket Loer (WDC, 17:29), Cody Dolezal (OTC, 17:33), Noah Wendlund (OTC, 17:46)

The Skinny: The top 13 places in the virtual meet for the Park Region belong to either Wadena or Ottertail Central. To say that the competition is a two-horse race almost borders on an understatement. But it does, and the result is a competition that is about as close as it can get. Wadena seems to hold a one-point advantage as they compete in their second conference championship (having done the Midstate Conference last week), as they also have the individual favorite and defending conference champion Noah Ross This year, Ross will be looking to end a frustrating string of missing the State Championships, and a solid win here would give him great momentum heading into Sections.

GIRLS

Top Teams: United North Central (24 points), Ottertail Central (43 points)

Top Individuals: Annika Aho (UNC, 19:51), Katie George (OTC, 20:46), Kate Hendrickson (UNC, 20:55)

The Skinny: Claiming five of the top ten places in the virtual meet, United North Central appears to have a solid hold as the favorite for the Park Region Conference. Interestingly, four of those five runners are either 8th or 9th graders, with the only upperclassman being returning All-State runner Annika Aho. While Aho hasn't been running nearly to the level that she was last year, she has picked up some momentum in her last several races and another All-State run is certainly within the realm of possibility.