Polls: Minnesota Girls XC Runner of the Year (Round 2)


Round 2: Luna Scorzelli (3) vs. Jade Rypkema (2)

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Luna Scorzelli:

After hardly running any races during the 2021 cross country season, Scorzelli shined in the 2022 season with four sub 18 minutes performances, the Class AA individual state title, and the Class AA state team title with Highland Park. 

This year was a big breakout for the junior runner, she lowered her PR to 17:25, notched her first win at the 5K distance, and won her first state title after finishing 2nd in both the 1600m and 3200m at this year's track and field state meet. 

Scorzelli also broke the Highland Park school record in the 5K beating out her former teammate Molly Moening who held the record with a time of 17:49. Scorzelli beat that mark on three occasions this year with times of 17:25, 17:30, and 17:45. Her time of 17:25 puts her 6th all-time for Minnesota girls juniors. 

Going into the 2023 fall cross country season, Scorzelli is ranked as the top girls returner in Minnesota with her 5K PR of 17:25, just ahead of Norah Hushagen. 


Jade Rypkema:

Rypkema has been perfect this year on the track and during the cross country in Minnesota. She has won the Class A 1600m, 3200m, and XC (5K) titles this season. The only two losses all year for her have been at NSAF Nationals where she finished 4th in the 5K with a time of 17:07.33 and at the Team Heartland Regional where she finished 3rd overall in the 5K behind Nechanicky and Paityn Noe. 

This fall Rypkema won her first five races of the season which culminated in her beating Amanda Overgaauw for the Class A State Cross Country title. She then finished 3rd at the Team Heartland Regional to punch her ticket to the Team Nationals meet on 12/3. 

Rypkema improved her 5K PR from 18:20.20 (set in 2019) all the way down to 17:09.80 this season. Her time of 17:09.80 is the 10th fastest 5K time in Minnesota state history (given a runner's top time only). 

Rypkema also has the third fastest time in Class A all-time and was the 2nd fastest girl in Minnesota this cross country season. 

Vote Below:

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Scorzelli vs. Rypkema: Who was the Top Minnesota Girls XC Runner of 2022?