PREVIEW
Hutchinson Invitational
Location: Lake Marion County Park, Hutchinson
Weather: Low 80s, mostly cloudy, windy
BOYS
Virtual Meet Projection: Buffalo (48), Hutchinson (68), Prior Lake (104), Willmar (114), Waconia (147), Marshall (155)
Top Individuals: Isaac Basten (Buffalo 15:41) Gabe Smit (Prior Lake, 16:07) Zach Matzner (Marshall, 16:22) Mitchell Grand (Hutchinson, 16:24) Nick Oak (Buffalo 16:29)
The Skinny: Buffalo's seventh-ranked team led by their star, Isaac Basten, will have hopes of winning this meet, as the virtual meet projects them to take a 20 point victory over Hutchinson. Prior Lake, the injury-lagued Willmar, Waconia, and Marshall will all be teams worth noting, but it'll take a heroic effort from them to be up with teams like Buffalo. Basten is currently ranked 5th in the state, and will hope to get another win on his resume. This course isn't particularly fast, as Basten won last year with a 16:52, but he will definitely be the runner to beat on this hot Thursday. Prior Lake's Gabe Smit has quickly developed into a quite impressive runner, as just a sophomore he put up a 16:07 time at the tough Gale Woods course at the Bauman/Rovn invitational last week. Smit is quickly working his way into potential to be among the other ranked runners in the state, so this meet would be a great opportunity to show that, especially if he can keep pace with Basten. Other individuals to look out for are Marshall's Zach Matzner, along with Mitchell Grand from Hutchinson, and Buffalo's Nick Oak, all guys who have run under 16:30 as their PR.
GIRLS
Virtual Meet Projection: Willmar (37), Marshall (81), Waseca (106), New Prague (108), Waconia (109)
Top Individuals: Heidi Schmitz (Willmar, 18:45), Leah Hansen (Willmar 18:57), Ella Dufault (Waseca 18:59), Natalee Sample (Marshall, 19:07), Kaleesa Houston (Waconia, 19:08)
The Skinny: Willmar always has a respectable program, and this year is no different. Ranked sixth in the state, they are definitely looking to contend for a podium spot this year. Willmar was third right behind two powerful schools in Edina and Eden Prairie at the Bauman/Rovn invite, showing they're capable of running with schools of those ranks. The 1-2 punch of Heidi Schmitz and Leah Hansen will be huge going forward, and they have great capability to go 1-2 in tomorrow's race. Section rival Marshall is projected to be 2nd according to the virtual meet, but not quite close enough to give Willmar a run. Waseca, New Prague, and Waconia should all be up in the team scores as well, as they are all listed close together, within 3 points of each other. Waseca's Ella Dufault has a sub-19 PR and a win under her belt already this season, which could really make things interesting for Schmitz and Hansen tomorrow, along with Natalee Samplee of Marshall, an experienced runner who has a 19:07 PR.