Great Meets In Perham And Owatonna Highligh Another Big Day

Location: Fox Hollow Golf Course, St. Michael

Weather: Mostly cloudy, high 40s

BOYS

Virtual Meet Projection: East Ridge (38), Rogers (48), Coon Rapids (135), Elk River (150)

Top Individuals: Joseph Reimann (East Ridge, 16:26), Ethan Anderson (Rogers, 16:29), Alexander Heidorn (Rogers, 16:37), Jeffrey Sandkuhler (Irondale, 16:46), Thomas Glad (Rogers, 16:46), Lucas Gustafson (Elk River, 16:47)

The Skinny: Joseph Reimann returns to defend his mee title, and by all indications, he's in better shape than he was in a year ago. He's lowered his season best every time he's raced, with his most recent effort being a 16:26 at the Milaca Mega Meet. Though Rogers' duo of Ethan Anderson and Alexander Heidorn have each run within 10 seconds of that time that season, both those times were recorded at the very fast Big Lake Battle at Liberty Invitational. Neither has broken 17:00 again this season, so Reimann should have a more comfortable gap than it looks on paper. Jeffrey Sandkuhler ran his strong season best at the St. Olaf Showcase, but hasn't raced since. Lucas Gustafson ran 16:47 on the Gale Woods Farm course and was 3rd here last year, but hasn't broken 17:00 other than that performance. With a lot of uncertainties, the race behind Reimann looks up for grabs. Don't sleep on Zach Geting and John Faller of East Ridge, or Travis Miller of Heritage Christian Academy. They have each run in the low 17s and could emerge in front of the chase pack. On the team side, East Ridge is expected to win with Rogers right on their tail. However, many of those times are somewhat skewed from the Big Lake Battle at Liberty Invitational, not to mention this will be their 3rd race in 6 days. Because of that, expect East Ridge to win comfortably.

GIRLS

Virtual Meet Projection: East Ridge (66), Providence Academy (87), Rogers (92), Zimmerman (93)

Top Individuals: Halle Mestery (East Ridge, 18:54), Cheresa Bouley (Zimmerman, 19:07), Madeline Kelly (Providence Academy, 19:32), Elizabeth VanLoon (Irondale, 19:32), Audrey Neuerberg-Champman (Elk River, 19:43), Emma Kelly (Providence Academy, 19:52), Gwyneth Gerlach (East Ridge, 19:54)

The Skinny: Halle Mestery has had a torrid start to the year, most recently breaking 19:00 for the first time in her career at the Milaca Mega Meet. She'll look to continue that success after an off weekend, but will face stiff competition in Cheresa Bouley. Bouley has earned votes in the most recent coaches' poll, after a 4th place finish in the D2 race at the Milaca Mega Meet and four wins on the season. Those two should be the leaders, but expect Madeline Kelly to be in the mix as well. Kelly has had a strong return from injury, and has broken 20:00 twice this year. Her sister Emma is not much behind her, providing Providence Academy with an impressive 1-2 punch. Elizabeth VanLoon, Audrey Neuerberg-Chapman, and Gwyneth Gerlach should also be in the mix, as they're the only other girls who have broken 20:00 this season. Neuerberg-Chapman and Gerlach did so at Milaca, while VanLoon's season best comes from her opener at the St. Olaf Showcase. On the team side, East Ridge quietly has a very solid team this season, and are favored in the virtual meet by 21 points. The Providence Academy girls are ranked 6th in Class A, and will battle Rogers and Zimmerman in what should be a tight battle for 2nd. All three of those teams are within striking distance of East Ridge however, making for a very close team battle.

(written by Sam O'Donnell-Hoff)