Here's a list of the meets Thursday through Saturday in Minnesota.
Thursday, 8/29
Anoka District Early Bird
Location: Anoka HS
Weather: low 70's, humid & clear
BOYS
Virtual Meet Projections: Coon Rapids (44), Champlin Park (50), Blaine (62)
Individuals to Watch: Connor Preston (Champlin Park, 16:26.3), Dontae Johnson (Champlin Park, 16:34.1), Tyler Anderson (Blaine, 16:47.1), Noah Richardson (Coon Rapids, 17:04.2)
The Skinny: Champlin has the top two in our projections but we will wait to see if Dontae Jackson races after missing his team's home 3200m invite last week. Connor Preston ran a solid opener in that meet, finishing seventh in a good field. Coon Rapids looks to be the team favorites with potential for four runners in the top ten, something the currently entered teams do not look ready to match based on PRs.
GIRLS
Virtual Meet Projections: Andover (21), Blaine (60), Champlin (83)
Individuals to Watch: Alyssa Gerth (Andover, 18:59.1), Claire Beckman (Andover, 19:04.4), Elizabeth Donner (Andover, 19:17.2), Kelsey Huver (Blaine, 19:21.7), Kaelyn Nelson (Anoka, 19:25.1)
The Skinny: Andover is one of the strongest teams in class AA in our projections and the coaches poll as them ranked tenth. With any significant number of their top group running, they will be the strong favorite in this meet. PRs give Andover five of the top eight and six in the top ten. Blaine has a strong 1-2 punch with Kelsey Huver and Shalom Sulungaine but currently do not go six deep in sub 21 minute PR's.
ANOKA ABC INVITE | LQPV EARLY BIRD | NORTH SHORE CHALLENGE
LOYOLA CLEVELAND INVITE | PRINCETON INVITE | ST. OLAF SHOWCASE