Conference Tuesday - The Biggest Day Of XC Of The Year

Location: Montevideo High School

Weather: Low 50's, mostly sunny

BOYS

Virtual Meet Projection: Melrose (35), Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta (49), Benson/Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg (51)

Top Individuals: Noah Stewart (MACA, 16:25), Preston Poepping (Melrose, 17:07), Nathan Douvier (Melrose, 17:25), Jayeven Mcgee (Benson, 17:36), Brock Chellgren (Melrose, 17:47)

The Skinny: Melrose has been enjoying a very impressive under-the-radar season this year, and while it will be extremely difficult to get to State out of Section 6A (with Staples-Motley and West Central Area), they have build a great foundation to build on for future years. But more immediately, they are a solid favorite today for the West Central Conference. MACA and Benson/KMS will the their closest competition, but neither team has been able to beat them in a head-to-head matchup yet this year. But an even bigger favorite would have to be one of Class A's biggest breakout stars, Noah Stewart. While he's currently not ranked in Class A, he's seen a lot of very impressive performances that let to him being ranked as high as 6th this year. Preston Poepping could provide a challenge and has some great runs himself, but it would be surprising to see him beat Stewart.

GIRLS

Virtual Meet Projection: Sauk Centre (40), Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta (56), Minnewaska (86)

Top Individuals: Sophia Kluber (Sauk Centre, 20:09), Maddie Carrington (MACA, 20:13), Kate O'brien (Sauk Centre, 21:09), Meredith Carrington (MACA, 21:21)

The Skinny: Sauk Centre holds a bit of a cushion over MACA in the virtual meet, and that result is backed up with their head-to-head matchups this year, in which Sauk Centre have won four matchups to MACA's one. Kluber has seen a lot of success herself this year too, as she has actually been a top-three finisher in seven races so far, and won twice. so in that regard, she may be a solid favorite over Maddie Carrington despite Carrington having a very similar season-best and finishing as the meet's runner-up last year. 

(written by Mark Rice)