Conference Tuesday - The Biggest Day Of XC Of The Year

Location: Brooktree Golf Course, Owatonna

Weather: Partly cloudy, around 50, breezy

BOYS

Virtual Meet Projection: Red Wing (36), Winona (61), Austin (114)

Top Individuals: Carter Briggs (Winona, 16:07), Jett Oachs (Mankato East, 16:07), Colten Brand (Winona, 16:08), Weston Wyatt (Red Wing, 16:09), Tom Nemanich (Red Wing, 16:13), Meti Omod (Austin, 16:16), Bryan Zucker (Red Wing, 16:17), Tucker Wallin (Red Wing, 16:23), Henry Hinchcliffe (Austin, 16:27)

The Skinny: The Red Wing boys have shown that they're among the state's elite, and they should back that message up with a conference championship on Tuesday. Though Winona has a solid squad and two powerful lowsticks in Carter Briggs and Colten Brand, Red Wing's top five will likely be too strong to overcome. Their top five projects to finish in the top twelve, all with season bests 16:41 or faster. Individually, there is no clear frontrunner, making for a very tight race. Red Wing's cohort of Weston Wyatt, Tom Nemanich, Bryan Zucker, Tucker Wallin, and Jonah Leise will likely control the pace out front, so keep an eye out for Wyatt or Nemanich to contend for the win here. Winona's duo of Colten Brand and Carter Briggs are each have broken 10:00 over 3200m, and should mix it up with the Red Wing group. Jett Oachs has been a consistent performer, and has won four meets on the year. And Austin's duo of Meti Omod and Henry Hinchcliffe will look to work together for top placings.

GIRLS

Virtual Meet Projection: Red Wing (108), Mankato West (109), Winona (129)

Top Individuals: Grace Johnson (Red Wing, 18:52), Abigail Lewis (Austin, 18:53), Hannah Lamaster (Rochester Mayo, 19:03), Carsyn Brady (Owatonna, 19:06), Olivia Beschorner (Mankato East, 19:08), Anni Skillicorn (Winona, 19:13), Madelyn Skjeveland (Faribault, 19:27), Hadley Jensen (Rochester Mayo, 19:29)

The Skinny: Much like the boys, this race will be a toss-up. With many times being earned at the very fast Owatonna Ev Berg Invitational, it is unclear who will be favored. After a torrid start to the season, Grace Johnson will look to recapture her early season magic. She owns the fastest season best in the field, stemming back to the St. Olaf High School Showcase. The only other runner to break 19:00 this year is Abigail Lewis, though her time came on the very quick Lake City course. Anni Skillicorn has had a breakout year for Winona, though Hannah Lamaster and Carsyn Brady just defeated her at Owatonna, with both running their season best there. Olivia Beschorner ran her time at the Fairmont I-90 Invite, taking the victory over Marissa Whitehead, so she's coming into this meet with strong momentum. On the team side, it should be a very tight battle for the championship. The top ten teams are all within 100 points of each other, signalling it's anybody's race. Red Wing is favored on paper by a single point, though Grace Johnson will need to run like her early season form if they wish to take the title. Mankato West will look to flip that projected finish, but with so many teams near each other on paper, it will be near impossible to predict who finishes in front.

(written by Sam O'Donnell-Hoff)