PREVIEW
Sauk Centre Invitational
Location: Sauk Centre Golf Course
Weather: mid-50's some sun
BOYS
Virtual Meet Projection: East Grand Forks (46), Melrose (76), Saint Cloud Cathedral (89)
Top Individuals: Cole Nowacki (EGF, 16:13), Tyson Mahar (EGF, 16:21), Noah Stewart (MACA, 16:25), Sakariye Ismail (EGF, 16:36), Christopher Borash (Royalton, 16:57)
The Skinny: The mid-week trip for East Grand Forks should prove to be a good one as they get to see some teams they otherwise normally wouldn't see at this time for year, and the outcome should be the same as what they've been used to recently - a win for the 11th-ranked Class A team. The biggest battle sill be against Melrose, whom the virtual meet places 30 points behind EGF. Melrose may have a difficult time trying to make to to State out of Section 6A as both West Central Area and Staples-Motley also make their homes here, but they are arguably having the third-best season of any school in that section to this point. Saint Cloud Cathedral is another potential State qualifier (out of Section 5A), and are projected at 3rd, so this meet will be a great look for some State hopefuls. Cole Nowacki and Tyson Mahar as individuals will get an opportunity to face off against the red-hot Noah Stewart too, who already has five top-two finishes this year, including three wins. With Stewart owning the sixth ranking in Class A, a good performance against him could finally earn Nowacki and/or Mahar a spot in the polls as well. Of course, don't count out Sakariye Ismail or Christopher Borash as they have both been having excellent season too, but in all liklihood, this race comes down to Stewart, Nowacki, and Mahar.
GIRLS
Virtual Meet Projection: Rocori (32), East Grand Forks (60), Sauk Centre (117)
Top Individuals: Merideth Theis (Rocori, 19:49), Laina Viere (Rocori, 20:06), Lydia Floden (EGF, 20:08), Sophia Kluber (Sauk Centre, 20:09), Maddie Carrington (MACA, 20:13)
The Skinny: Rocori is the lone Class AA team in the field, and appear to also have the upper hand on the girls side coming with a 28-point advantage over EGF in the virtual meet. Of course, while Rocori may have a tough time making it out of the hotly-contested Section 8AA, EGF currently appears to be in the drivers seat for second in Section 8A. Each race from this point out is very big for both teams to continue trying to establish themselves near the top of their respective sections. All that said, however, both the team and individual outcomes of the meet may depend on whether Rocori elect to run 8th grader Merideth Theis in the varsity divsion or the middle school race. Rocori has been cautious with Theis in spite of her sub-20 minute ability, and she has only run two 5Ks this year (and none last year) despite consistently being a high finisher in junior high races and being a key contributor for Rocori an the track (their their girls team is a True Team powerhouse). If Theis runs, she'll have a great chance to pick up her first varsity win, but in reality the race is wide open (judging on the raw times) as the four athletes coming in after Theis all own season bests within seven seconds of one another.
(written by Mark Rice)