Location: Twin Pines Golf Course
Weather: Mid-20s, chance of snow; seven inches already on the ground
BOYS
Season Best Projection: Perham (28), Ada-Borup/Norman County West (100), East Grand Forks (103)
Season Average Projection: Perham (25), East Grand Forks (103), Ada-Borup/Norman County West (106)
Top Individuals: Carson Speicher (Perham; 16:16), Clayton Anderson (Perham; 16:24), Christian Sterton (Ada-Borup; 16:34), Ben Andringa (Crookston; 16:45), Cole Nowacki (East Grand Forks; 16:56)
The Skinny: The boys team race is comfortably in the hands of Perham here, with our virtual meets projecting them to win handily, whether we use average time or season best. A win would be their sixteenth consecutive State qualification. The race for second, and a State berth, will be incredibly close between Ada-Borup and East Grand Forks, both of whom have performed well this season. It could come down to a matter of points in order to separate them, just like each of the last two meetings of the two teams (of which each won one). On the individual side, Carson Speicher will likely take the win with teammate Clayton Anderson next behind (as has been the case with these two all season). Christian Sterton of Ada-Borup, Cole Nowacki of East Grand Forks, and Ben Andringa of Crookston have all had excellent seasons so far and will also be in contention for top-five spots.
GIRLS
Season Best Projection: Perham (24), East Grand Forks (110), United North Central (121)
Season Average Projection: Perham (22), East Grand Forks (75), Lake Park-Audubon (122)
Top Individuals: Caitlin Covington (Perham; 18:59), Ellie Morgan (Frazee; 19:38), Liz Birkeland (Perham; 19:44), Ashley Hokanson (Perham; 19:47), Lily Peterson (Lake Park; 19:47), Katherine Geist (Crookston, 19:59)
The Skinny: The girls from Perham will almost certainly continue their historic dominance of Section 8A (they have qualified for State every year since 2002) with a comfortable win here. East Grand Forks gets the nod for the second team qualification due to their consistency throughout the season. The individual title will likely go to Caitlin Covington of Perham, while Ellie Morgan of Frazee has the next fastest season best in spite of some inconsistencies earlier in the year. One to keep an eye on is Katherine Geist of Crookston, who has the second fastest average time, and could take a spot in the top five. The remaining girls from Perham are likely to fill the majority of the top spots here, perhaps putting all five scorers in the top ten.
