Meet Previews: Week Two Heats Up on Thursday

Princeton Invitational

Location: Fairway Shores Executive GC, Zimmerman

Weather: sunny, mid-70's

BOYS

Virtual Meet Projections: Elk RIver (78.5), Becker (85), Heritage Christian (90)

Individuals to Watch: Jared Nordstrom (Heritage Christian 16:41.3), Travis Miller (Heritage Christian, 16:55.3), Matthew Helser (Spectrum, 16:57.3), Ryan Young (Princeton, 17:01.5), Lukas Karel (Becker 17:02.3)

The Skinny: Elk River has a chance to win the meet despite possibly not placing anyone inside the top 10. Their projected split of 26 seconds would give them five who have PRs between 17:33 and 17:59, making them tough in a medium sized meet with a decent amount of sub 17:50 talent. Jared Nordstrom (16:41) and Travis Miller (16:55) of Heritage Chrisitan come in with the fastest PRs but the HCA fifth runner may not appear inside the top 50, keeping back in the team score. Becker could have five in front of HCA's four and depending on their fifth man performance could overcome the Elk River pack. 

GIRLS

Virtual Meet Projections: Becker (65.5), Zimmerman (94), Princeton (95)

Individuals to Watch: Lexi Dehmer (Becker, 19:00.3), Danielle Nuest (Becker (19:06.2), Lexi Duscher (Princeton, 19:20.8), Alaina Steele (Pine City, 19:43.1), Audrey Neuerburg-chapman (Elk River, 19:43.4)

The Skinny: The girls field looks to be a tight pack at the front with 17 runners with PRs between 19 minutes and 20:30. Becker looks to be the team favored in our projections with the two fastest returners and the smallest split among the top three favored teams. Zimmerman will be a threat if they can get their four and five to move up in the field as will host Princeton. It appears both will have three in front of Becker's third athlete but not enough to currently make up for Becker's low numbers up front.