Meet Previews: Action Continues with Four Key Events

BRAINERD RUN FOR THE MELON

Location: Forestview MS, Baxter

Weather: 60, sunny

BOYS

Virtual Meet Projection: Greenway/Nashwauk-Keewatin (25), Alexandria (82), Pequot Lakes (87)

Individuals to watch:  Geno Uhrbom (GNK 15:38.0), Spencer Engel (GNK, 17:06.5), Greg Peterson (GNK, 17:12.1), Jackson Grant (Little Falls, 17:13.7)

The Skinny: The state awaits the start of the season for Geno Uhrbom and his Greenway/Nashwauk-Keewatin team and they will be the favorites at Brainerd on Friday. Projections have them 1-2-3 individually with a slim 25 points. Alexandria and Pequot Lakes will have a title battle for second and it will come down to who can manage a smaller split as Alex has faster 1-2 punch but Pequot is faster in the 3-5 positions.

GIRLS

Virtual Meet Projection: Alexandria (19), Pequot Lakes (80), Greenway/Nashwauk-Keewatin (99)

Individuals to watch: Jaelyn Miller (Alexandria, 19:02.8) Aleah Miller (Alexandria, 19:03.1), Caitlin Bright (Alexandria, 19:03.8), Bethany Miller (Alexandria, 19:04.7)Calia Chaney (Pequot Lakes, 19:36.2),  Alaina Steele (Pine City, 19:43.1)

The Skinny: Alexandria has one of the tightest 1-4 PR splits in the state (less than three seconds) and if that shows up on Friday, they will cruise to the win. What may prove interesting is seeing how Pequot Lakes eighth grader Calia Chaney follows up her victory at the Brave Like Gabe meet last week in Perham. Her PR, set last Saturday, is 30 seconds slower than the Alex quartet but she also won last week's meet by a good margin. The team race is likely for second place but the individual title could play out in very interesting fashion.