The Northfield Girls have positioned themselves as the early favorites for the AA title. With one of the best low sticks in the state in Makayah Petricka and a spread of only 17 seconds between their 2-5 runners, the Northfield Girls proved they are the team to beat come November. At the moment, no team has demonstrated the same depth as this team did at St. Olaf. Look for them to continue building momentum and potentially earn their first state title in the program's history.
The Edina Girls delivered a statement victory at the Pleasant Valley (IA) Spartan Challenge, one day after a resounding victory from Wayzata at the St. Olaf High School Showcase. Going all the way to Pleasant Valley, Iowa, Edina came out with a dominant victory over some of the top ranked teams in Iowa and the Heartland Region on Saturday. With a score of 48 points, this team showed it will likely be a three team battle (Wayzata, St. Michael-Albertville, and Edina) for the AAA crown. They also firmly put themselves in the conversation for a trip to NXN nationals come December with their effort this weekend.
The Mounds View Boys gave notice to other schools in AAA with their win at the Rosemount Irish Invitational. Coming into the race ranked fith, with Rosemount ranked second in AAA, this race was always going to be a tight affair. Ultimately, Mounds View would come out on top and prove they are a threat for a top 3 finish in AAA come November.
Minneapolis Washburn made a convincing argument for being a podium team come the MSHSL meet with their win at the St. Olaf High School Showcase. After some solid races over the 3200m distance the previous weekend, Minneapolis Washburn came out with the win in 89 points over Mankato East. With an average time of 16:40 and four runners in the top 20, this team will certainly be capable of a top-three finish in November as their fifth, sixth, and seventh runners continue to improve.
The Waconia Boys are an under the radar team. Coming into the St. Olaf High School Showcase, Waconia was the top unranked team in the field, outperforming two ranked AAA teams in Minnetonka and Lakeville North. Waconia wound up third in the team race, only three points behind a tough AA opponent in Mankato East, and 29 and 58 points clear of Minnetonka and Lakeville North. Don’t sleep on this team come November!
The Brainerd Girls showed they will be tough to be not only in 8AAA, but at MSHSL come November, defeating the always tough Alexandria Girls (ninth ranked) at the Brainerd Run for Your Melon Invitational. Putting four girls in the top six, Brainerd came out on top over Alexandria with a score of 24 to 33 points.
The 8AA Girls will be a dogfight once again. While the majority of the section 8AA preview at Thief River Falls was cancelled due to weather, the girls varsity race gave a preview of another tight section meet on the horizon. With three ranked teams in the section (Perham, Little Falls, and Rocori) the margin for error is small for these teams. Add unranked Willmar and Fergus Falls to the mix! In a tight team race, Rocori came out on top with 69 points, followed by Willmar 80 points; Little Falls 89 points; Fergus Falls 97 points; and Perham (dealing with some injuries) in 5th with 102 points.
Redwood Valley has shown their top ranking in A is no mistake. Racing this weekend at the Augustana Twilight, had four boys under 18:30, with their second runner from the previous week (Clayton Salmon) not racing. With a couple of low sticks and capable 3-5 runners, this team looks poised for another podium finish come November.
Mankato East comes out on top over Como Park at the St. Olaf High School Showcase, in an early preview of a AA state meet. With two runners in the top six and five in the top 50, Mankato East demonstrated they have firepower up front and depth to match. It appears they are well positioned to compete for their 3rd AA title in the last four years.
Finally, the Barnesville Girls continue their ascent of the A scene. With a program that was only started up again in the last few seasons, Barnesville came away with a 5th place finish last year and appears to have their eyes on a potential podium finish come November. This weekend, they competed at the MSU Dragon Twilight, finishing third overall and only nine points behind top ranked St. Cloud Cathedral. Keep an eye on this team throughout the season!
