Location: Chaska Par 30 Golf Course, Chaska
Weather: High 50's cloudy, perfect for running
BOYS
Virtual Meet Projection: Eden Prairie (52), Hopkins (92), Eastview (130.5)
Top Individuals: Eli Hoeft (Hopkins, 15:43), Nick Scheller (Chanhassen, 15:46), Jake Derouin (Eden Prairie, 15:51), Gabe Smit (Prior Lake, 16:07), Max Lauerman (Minnetonka, 16:09)
The Skinny: Though some of the top teams at this meet are holding out their varsity guys after Griak, there will be plenty of ranked runners and teams left to throw down out in Chaska on Tuesday. 7th-ranked Nick Scheller and Eli Hoeft, who's tied for twelfth in Class AA in the October 1st Coaches Poll, will face off, while Eden Prairie's Jake Derouin will try to prove that he, too, deserves a place back in those rankings after sitting out the Milaca Mega Meet. With those three guys all having gone under 16 minutes already, we will potentially see a heated battle for the top spot. Other runners to watch will be Prior Lake sophomore Gabe Smit, who has the potential to dip under 16 on this relatively flat, fast course. The conditions will be very good for running, so we could see some blazing times across the board. Another runner to keep an eye on will be Eastview's AJ Green, the 2018 Class AA 800 State Champion, who has been dropping time in every race. It will be interesting to see what these runners can do once the pace really opens up.
GIRLS
Virtual Meet Projection: Eden Prairie (48), Stillwater (50), Minnetonka (146)
Top Individuals: Liesl Paulsen (Eden Prairie, 18:17), Analee Weaver (Stillwater, 18:27), Avery Braunshausen (Stillwater, 18:43), Megan Pierson (Chanhassen, 19:02), Ella Bakken (Eden Prairie, 19:03), Josie Mosby (Saint Louis Park, 19:09)
The Skinny: On the girls side, there is also going to be a lot of ranked competition. 4th-ranked Eden Prairie, who may well be eyeing a State berth this year, did not race at Griak and will be ready to show what they can do on a quick course, led by perennial frontrunner and All-State honoree Liesl Paulsen. Their well-restedness may give them an edge and a bit of a buffer over 6th-ranked Stillwater, who raced on Saturday. However, the virtual meet only gives Eden Prairie a two-point lead over the Ponies, and Stillwater's incredibly young team (their scoring five consists of one sophomore, three eighth-graders, and a junior) may be able to bounce back to take the win here. Stillwater's individuals are also not to be overlooked in this race, as Analee Weaver and Avery Braunshausen are both ranked in the top ten after phenomenal performances at Griak. Other runners to watch will be Chanhassen's Megan Pierson, who took the win at the Jefferson Jaguar Challenge last Tuesday, Ella Bakken from Eden Prairie (who has already improved her 2017 PR by 16 seconds), and 12th-ranked Josie Mosby of Saint Louis Park, who led her team to a win in the Maroon race at Griak with her first place finish.
(written by Maddy Lawler)