Conference Tuesday - The Biggest Day Of XC Of The Year

PREVIEW

Granite Ridge Conference Meet

Weather: Low 50s, partly cloudy

BOYS

Virtual Meet Projection: Mora (43), Becker (44), Saint Cloud Cathedral (83)

Top Individuals: Cooper Lennox (Mora, 16:27), Basil Ricker (Becker, 16:31), Lukas Karel (Becker, 17:02), Grant Mayers (Albany, 17:08), Nathan Williams (Mora, 17:10)

The Skinny: Cooper Lennox is on a tear this season, coming into this meet having only lost two meets and even at those he finished third (Cambridge Bluejacket Invitational) and fourth (Milaca Mega Meet). That leaves him ranked fifth in Class A. Basil Ricker may be a name that hasn't been mentioned much in the past but he has proven himself this season as one to not be forgotten about. Having never even made a State championship meet before, he was the fourth-place finisher last year and finished just seven seconds behind Lennox, and has run under 17 minutes on two occasions this year. Lennox and Ricker have not raced each other this year and neither of them has a conference title as of yet. It will be even more interesting being they are from the two teams that are battling for the team title. Mora (Lennox's team) and Becker (Ricker's team) are projected to finish just one point apart (although when season averages are used rather than season bests, Mora's lead is more pronounced).

GIRLS

Virtual Meet Projection: Becker (35), Zimmerman (57), Mora (85)

Top Individuals: Lexi Dehmer (Becker, 19:00), Danielle Nuest (Becker, 19:06), Cheresa Bouley (Zimmerman, 19:07), Victoria Kolbinger (Becker, 19:16), Kristine Kalthoff (Albany, 19:25)

The Skinny: There are a group of five runners that will be battling for the win at today's meet. This includes the trio from Becker of Lexi Dehmer, Danielle Nuest, and Victoria Kolbinger as well as Cheresa Bouley from Zimmerman and the All-State Kristine Kalthoff of Albany. Cheresa Bouley seems to have a slight edge over the three from Becker as she has received honorable mention rankings in Class AA and is coming off of a recent personal bests as well as some solid wins. The three from Becker have been interchangeable this season so if the winner comes from Becker it is unsure which will be victorious. Having the three front runners basically solidifies Becker's team title chances ahead of Zimmerman and Mora, but if Zimmerman can improve the gap between their fourth and fifth runner, they could make things close.

(written by Emma Benner)

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