PREVIEW
Morris Invitational (Postponed to 8/28)
Location: Pomme de Terre Golf Course, Morris
Weather: Scattered thunderstorms, low 70s, high humidity
BOYS
Virtual Meet Projection: West Central Area (35), Lac qui Parle Valley/Dawson-Boyd (38)
Top Individuals: Jacob Bright (West Central Area, 16:10), Mikey Kvaal (LQPVDB, 16:29), Ezekiel Sather (LQPVDB, 17:16), Kyle Schill (West Centra Area, 17:21), Jack VanKampen (West Central Area, 17:21)
The Skinny: Two top ten ranked teams in Class A will be matching up at today's meet. West Central comes in to the season ranked fourth while Lac qui Parle Valley is ranked sixth. Both teams have strong top four runners, so their success will be largely determined by which team has a strong fifth runner step up. There are also two top ranked individuals competing in this meet with Jacob Bright and Mikey Kvaal ranked fourth and twelfth, respectively. Bright missed the 2018 outdoor track and field season, so it will be interesting to see what type of shape he is in coming into the season. Kvaal is coming off a sixth place finish in the 3200m at the 2018 Track and Field State Championships.
GIRLS
Virtual Meet Projection: West Central Area (47), Rocori (57), Lac qui Parle Valley/Dawson-Boyd (79)
Top Individuals: Lexi Bright (West Central, 19:21), Melanie Illies (Rocori, 19:53), Carley Kraemer (Rocori, 20:05)
The Skinny: Based off of personal bests, West Central's second, third, and fourth runners only have a spread of five seconds. Their team is also led by Lexi Bright who has a personal best well above the rest of the field. In ten of Bright's twelve races last cross country season, she finished in the top three and looks to continue that trend at this meet. Melanie Illies and Carley Kraemer from Rocori will be leading their team to challenge for the win. In year's past, the Rocori duo have tended to finish closely together in races. They will be a hard duo to break up for those low points.
(written by Emma Benner)