Meet Previews: Early Season Action this Week

Rebels Northwoods Invitational (Fri. 8/23)


Class A star Maddie Kelly will race with class AA power Edina at the Northwoods Invite.

Location: Northwoods Park, Brooklyn Park

Weather: Low 70's, mostly sunny, 60% humidity

BOYS:

Virtual Meet Projection: Edina (31), Hopkins (47), Champlin Park (82)

Individuals to watch: Russell Gokemeijer (Edina, 15:58.20), Ben Haberman (Hopkins, 16:20.8), Gus Hubbell (Edina, 16:22.1), Connor Preston (Champlin Park, 16:26.3), Alexander Heidorn (Rogers, 16:37.1)

The Skinny: Edina is running nine of their top athletes and if Lakes Conference rival Hopkins brings a similar group we'll have a very interesting look at some of class AA's usual top programs. Using the top group from each team Gokemeijer projects as the top runner but it's a two mile race so really anything is possible. Conor Preston of Champlin Park and Alexander Heidorn of Rogers figure to be the no. 1 guys for their teams and this is a great chance to go shoulder to shoulder with guys who will be at state in November. Edina and Hopkins should gap Champlin Park who should likely gap the field.

GIRLS:

Virtual Meet Projection: Edina (17), Shakopee (89), Orono (105)

Individuals to watch: Maggie Wagner (Edina, 18:05.3), Morgan Richter (Edina, 18:16.8), Macy Iyer (Edina, 18:23), Jayda Becker (Shakopee, 18:28), Madeline Kelly (Providence Academy, 19:08.4)

The Skinny: The Edina girls are elite this year and Jayda Becker (Shakopee) Maddie Kelly (Providence) and Elise Yeager (Monticello) are among the runners trying to break up a Hornets' perfect score. As always, in early season 3200m races with various rosters things can be very different but either way it's a good test for the mentioned top runners and against one of the states very best 1-9 line ups. Edina is loaded and should cruise but the match ups between Shakopee, Orono and class AA ranked Providence should be fun.