PREVIEW
Chisago Lakes Invite
Location: Ki-Chi-Saga County Park, Lindstrom
Weather: Low 50s, wet, with a 40% chance of rain
BOYS
Virtual Meet Projection: Cambridge-Isanti (29), North Branch (57), Chisago Lakes (77.5)
Top Individuals: Craig Feist (East Central, 17:11), Ryan Droubie (Cambridge-Isanti, 17:11), Dylan Larson (Cambridge-Isanti, 17:17), Joseph Nihart (North Branch, 17:23), Matthew Stuber (North Branch, 17:28)
The Skinny: Cambridge-Isanti looks to dominate this meet on the boys side, taking two of the top three spots on the individual side, and all seven scoring runners are in the top eleven in the field. North Branch sits solidly 28 points behind Cambridge, and 20 points ahead of the hosts from Chisago Lakes. Senior Ryan Droubie is projected to lead Cambridge and challenge for an individual win, although don't count out his teammate Dylan Larson, whose top time is only six seconds back. The other top individuals in the field include East Central's Craig Feist and North Branch's Joseph Nihart and Matthew Stuber. Feist is coming off a very strong race in Milaca where he ran a PR of 17:11, and at the rate he's been improving this year, sub-17 may be on the near horizon.
GIRLS
Virtual Meet Projection: Cambridge-Isanti (24), Chisago Lakes (46), North Branch (88)
Top Individuals: Jessica Illg (Cambridge-Isanti, 20:02), Cora Hudella (North Branch, 20:56), Jordan Merwin (Cambridge-Isanti, 21:04), Dreckman Leah (Chisago Lakes, 21:24)
The Skinny: Like on the boys side, the virtual meet sides with the Cambridge-Isanti girls squad. Also like the boys, they will have a solid group up front, with four girls who have run the six fastest times. Chisago Lakes will be projected for a runner-up finish, sitting a solid 22 points behind Cambridge. On the dindividual site, Jessica Illg is knocking on the door of a sub-20 5K, but more recent results indicate she might be closer to 21 minutes. However, it is Cora Hudella of North Branch who comes in with the fastest time this season, having run 21:04 in Milaca. Jordan Merwin has also run 21:04 this season, making the battle up front a three-way affair.
(written by Maddy Lawler)