* Wayzata's Abbey Nechanicky dominated on Thursday at the St. Olaf Showcase
Photo Credit: Minnesota MileSplit
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The 2022 St. Olaf High School Showcase was one to remember on Thursday, with fast times, high temperatures and thousands of runners putting down performances in Minnesota.
Nothing was more memorable, though, than Abbey Nechanicky's first-place run for Wayzata and the historic time she ended with.
In the girls individual race, it was all Nechanicky for her second St. Olaf HS Showcase win. Coming back healthy this fall after missing almost all of last season, the high school senior came out strong in her season debut to the tune of a new 5K PR of 17:08.9.
She beat out runner-up Sydney Drevlow by over a minute -- and it was arguably one of the strongest season debut races we've ever seen in Minnesota.
Nechanicky beat her old PR of 17:25.70 by 17 seconds and ran over a minute faster than her 2019 St. Olaf HS Showcase win. She came in just behind the course record of 17:07.9, which was set by Emily Covert in 2018. Her mark of 17:08.90, as of this writing, is the fourth-fastest 5K time nationally so far this season.
Related Links:
| RANK | TIME | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16:52.11 | 2025 | Autumn Classic1st F | |
| 2 | 17:00.76 | 2024 | ||
| 3 | 17:05.45 | 2024 | ||
| 4 | 17:08.90 | 2023 | ||
| 5 | 17:09.23 | 2023 |
Nechanicky's mark of 17:08.90 is one of the fastest times in the nation and a big PR. It also happens to be one of the best times in state history for the girls 5K.
All 5Ks are different due to the conditions and the course they are run on, but a 17:08 is impressive ... no matter the criteria.
MN Girls All-Time 5K Times
| RANK | TIME | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATE PLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16:42.60 | Stillwater High School | 2021 | Forest Lake SEC Tri 1st F |
| 2 | 16:48.67 | Math & Science Academy | 2020 | |
| 3 | 16:55.71 | Minneapolis Washburn High School | 2019 | |
| 4 | 17:00.40 | Farmington High School | 2021 | |
| 5 | 17:03.30 | Saint Michael-Albertville High School | 2022 | |
| 6 | 17:06.00 | Alexandria High School | 2016 | |
| 7 | 17:07.00 | Shakopee High School | 2013 | |
| 8 | 17:07.72 | Cotter Schools | 2023 | |
| 9 | 17:08.90 | Wayzata High School | 2023 | |
| 10 | 17:10.70 | Hopkins High School | 2025 |
The only two other girls to run this fast early in the season where the race conditions are harder, are Emily Covert and Tierney Wolfgram. Covert ran a 17:07.9 at the 2018 St. Olaf HS Showcase and ended her that season with a best time of 16:56.40. Wolfgram ran a 17:06.80 at the 2018 Milaca Mega Meet and ended her career with a best time of 16:48.67. Can Nechanicky make the same strides and become just the 4th Minnesota girl to run a sub 17-minute 5K? I guess by the end of the season we'll find out.
Related:
- MileSplit MN XC Rankings
- St. Paul Central Open Meet Photos
- Covert Kills Course Record At St Olaf, National Talent Shows
- Emily Covert - 2018 St. Olaf Showcase Champion