Virtual Meet Results: River Falls (WI) (78.5), Red River(ND) (126), Fargo North High School (154), Saint Cloud Apollo High School (202), New Richmond (220), Marshall High School (233.5), Cloquet High School (244),
Top Individuals: Mason Shea (River Falls, 15:50.8), Peter (Frankie) Lynch (Benilde-St Margaret's, 15:57.9), Grant Magnuson (River Falls, 16:11.8), Caleb Yokom (Fargo North, 16:19.4), Zach Matzner (Marshall, 16:22.8), Cale Bishop (New Richmond, (16:31.7), Tyler Harris (New Richmond, 16:34.3)
The Skinny: The boys D2 race will potentially feature several out of state teams prominently at the front. On this year's best data, River Falls (WI) will have a chance to place three in the top ten, something no one else has in our projections. River Falls senior Mason Shea and Benilde-St Margaret's senior Peter Lynch are the only two in the field with a PR under 16 minutes, both of which came this season. It appears River Falls, Red River Grand Forks, and North Fargo could sweep the top three positions and leave any Minnesota teams off the podium. St Cloud Apollo is the first team in our virtual meet among Minnesota squads, but will need to improve both in the front and in their fifth man to have a shot at several teams with a split under a minute. Senior Zach Matzner of Marshall, a two-time State-qualifier, is one to watch for in the top five with a PR under 16:30.
Red River will find strength in what looks like a very tight split of less than 40 seconds, so even without a top ten individual they could have four runners across in the following ten spots. Marshall is within 20 points of fourth place Apollo in our virtual results with a pair of possible top ten performers, but reducing a 90 second split will be the key to moving up in the field.
D2 Girls Virtual Meet
Virtual Meet Results: Marshall High School (51), Waconia High School (164.5), Fargo North High School (172), Grand Forks Central High School (185.5), Orono High School (212), New Richmond (226), Monticello (232)
Top Individuals: Isabelle Schmitz (Hutchinson, 18:36.7), Jersey Leyson (Marshall, 18:42.5) Margaret Dalseth (Visitation, 18:43.4), Mikayla Weiss (Grand Forks Central, 18:53.0), Bellamy Sukalski (Marshall, 18:57.5), Anna Lien (Fargo North, 18:59.6).
The Skinny: Projections of the girls D2 race favor Marshall for the team title based on the potential for four Tiger runners inside the top 15. It appears if that possibility becomes a reality and the fourth and fifth runners make come through in their current form, Marshall could earn a comfortable victory. Their average could be over 30 seconds better than the closest competitors but projected no. 2 Waconia and no. 6 New Richmond (WI) have a possible 30 second split. A tight pack moving up late in the race can erase points very quickly in a huge field like they'll see on Saturday. Currently it seems the Wisconsin squad would need drastic improvement at the fifth spot to move up into the top two. Waconia was within reach of Marshall at their home meet on Tuesday but it seems the split for the Wildcats would need to be reduced to keep pace with the top teams in a race where 10-15 seconds becomes a much larger score very quickly. Based on career bests the most interesting team battle appears to be for second with three teams within 21 points.
With six runners in the D2 race with a PR under 19 minutes and 25 more who have gone under 20, the battle of the low sticks is wide open. Hutchinson eighth grader Isabelle Schmitz has the fastest PB of 18:36.7. Marshall freshman Jersey Leyson and Visitation junior Margaret Dalseth have both gone under 18:45. Schmitz has lots of big meet experience including reaching the Class AA state meet last season while Jersey Leyson's individual impact will be a big key for Marshall's team hopes on Saturday and the team's potential going forward. Fargo North sophomore Anna Lien has been runner up three times this season and may be an unknown amongst some of her Minnesota competitors, making Milaca a good stage for getting a breakthrough win.