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Heartland Region Girls Preseason Rankings 2019Published by
Window Still Wide Open For Wayzata, Edina In Heartland By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor Girls NXR Heartland Preview Minnesota has dominated the NXR Heartland since the regional meet was first introduced in 2007, sending at least one girls team to Nike Cross Nationals for 11 consecutive years and both representatives for the past seven seasons. Leading that charge has been Wayzata, Edina and Willmar, with the three programs combining for 12 appearances at the national meet. Although Willmar doesn’t project to be in contention at the Class AA state final or regional meet this year, the upper echelon of challengers at NXR Heartland will closely resemble last season’s results, led by Wayzata and Edina. Three teams from the region were selected to Nike Team Nationals in both 2004 and 2006, but since the regional qualifying meet was adopted, no Heartland third-place finisher has ever received an at-large berth to NXN. That makes the challenge even more difficult for fellow Minnesota programs Saint Michael-Albertville, Stillwater Area and Farmington, along with reigning Wisconsin Division 1 champion Muskego, in pursuit to secure their first berths to Portland. Following a 10th-place finish at last year’s regional, a potential sleeper this season, but legitimate contender next year is Onalaska WI, which returns its entire lineup consisting of all juniors. Another Minnesota team that would have been in contention at NXR Heartland this season was Winona Cotter after placing sixth at last year’s regional meet, but sisters Grace Ping and Lauren Ping transferred to Desert Vista AZ and the Ramblers don’t have the returning depth to remain among the elite teams in the state. 1. Wayzata MN: One of only two teams from outside New York in the event’s 15-year history to capture a girls national championship (2013), the Trojans have made five trips to NXN and never finished lower than seventh, including third place last year. Wayzata returns all seven performers from the regional and national meets last season – senior Emma Atkinson, freshman Abigail Nechanicky, senior Caroline Sassan, junior Emelia Arnone, senior Rhynn Paulsen, junior Grace Link and junior Lauren McCollor – with six of them placing in the top 50 at NXR Heartland and five clocking under 19 minutes at NXN. 2. Edina MN: The Hornets have made four straight trips to NXN, but are still searching for their first top-10 finish, including 17th place last season. Edina returns five scoring athletes from last year, including four individuals who placed in the top 55 and ran under 19 minutes at NXR Heartland. The experience of sophomore Margaret Wagner, sophomore Macy Iyer, senior Morgan Richter, freshman Lauren Cossack and senior Sadie Schreiner will be instrumental for the Hornets in the battle for a top-two automatic berth to compete again at nationals. 3. Saint Michael-Albertville MN: Respected as one of the top 20 teams nationally after winning the Class AA championship last year, the Knights struggled at NXR Heartland and placed third behind Wayzata and Edina after defeating both teams at the state final. Only adding more disappointment was the drought continuing for the region of not earning an at-large berth. Saint Michael-Albertville hopes to use that motivation, combined with the return of six scoring athletes – sophomore Ali Weimer, sophomore Katie Sigerud, junior Jessica Immer, senior Anna Belair, senior Paige McAloon and junior Ashlyn McClintock – to propel itself into the top two and achieve its first NXN appearance. 4. Muskego WI: Only one Wisconsin girls program, Neenah in 2011, has ever advanced to NXN, making the task a daunting one this season for Warriors. But despite graduating top runner Kate Jochims, Muskego is expected to bring back the rest of its lineup from a fourth-place finish at NXR Heartland last year and could be a darkhorse thanks to the experience of juniors Kate Sperka, Ani Oxborough, Sara Jochims and McKayla Felton, along with the returning sister tandem of Brittany Helm and Rachel Helm. 5. Stillwater Area MN: After placing eighth at last year’s regional meet, it might appear to be too big of a climb for the Ponies to elevate into the top group of contenders to advance to NXN this season, especially with three freshmen in the lineup. But Stillwater Area returns its top five scorers, including ninth-graders Avery Braunhauser, Morgan Peterman and Brooke Elfert, who should provide valuable depth to go along with junior Analee Weaver and senior Elsa Huckels, providing the group can close the gap with its Nos. 4 and 5 runners. Watchlist
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