Over A Dozen Meets Make Up Massive Day Of Racing

2018 Minnesota XC Meet Previews
Milesplit MN Staff

PREVIEW

WEM/JWP Grizzly Pie Invitational

Location: Prairie Ridge Golf Course, Janesville

Weather: Low 60s, cloudy

BOYS

Virtual Meet Projection: Martin County West (20), Waterville-Elysian-Morristown/Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton (98), Blooming Prairie (109)

Top Individuals: Grant Strukel (Blue Earth Area, 16:49), Kolton Larson (Martin County West, 17:06), Carson Kahler (Martin County West, 17:08), Zane Borchardt (Martin County West, 17:51), Easton Gregory (Martin County West, 17:57)

The Skinny: There's no beating Martin County West in this race...unless you're Blue Earth junior Grant Strukel, that is. Strukel comes in with the fastest time and the only mark under 17 minutes in the field. Though his personal best of 16:49 is from 2017, he has already broken 17 this season, running a 16:59 at the Tri-City United Gerry Smith Invitational on the 6th, and just missing it to run 17:02 at Milaca. Behind him, the top ten is projected to be dominated by Martin County West, with eight of the runners landing in the top ten. They're broken up only by Strukel and his teammate Brady Olson. Not surprisingly, Martin County West looks to cruise to the win with the low low score of 20 points, with Waterville-Elysian-Morristown landing nearly 80 points back for 2nd place. Blooming Prairie is projected to squeeze out a third place finish, 1 point ahead of United South Central.

GIRLS

Virtual Meet Projection: Martin County West (39), WEM/JWP (43), Blue Earth Area (95)

Top Individuals: Marissa Whitehead (Martin County West, 18:59), Addison Peed (Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 20:10), Lauran Dimler (Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 20:18), Victoria Barkosky (Maple River, 20:53)

The Skinny: On the girls side, sophomore Marissa Whitehead of Martin County West is the clear favorite for the team title. Last year's 7th-place finisher at State, and 2016's State runner up, Whitehead seems poised to take her first individual win this season at Grizzly Pie. After getting off to a slower start than last year in her first few races, she finally ran faster last week at Milaca than she did in 2017, which should be a sign that she is gearing up for a breakout race. This could be it, so there is no doubt she is the runner to watch. Over a minute behind her are the underclassmen from Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, eighth-grader Addison Peed and freshman Lauran Dimler, who should round out the top three. Victoria Barkosky of Maple River have also broken 21 minutes, and should hold the 4th spot. The team race will be tight as well, as Martin County West holds only a slim 3-point lead over WEM.

(written by Maddy Lawler)

TODAY'S MEETS