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Heartland Region Girls Early Season Rankings 2023Published by
Despite significant losses to graduation, including Nechanicky, Wayzata still strong again in Minnesota, with Minnetonka pursuing first NXN berth; Olathe West seeks consecutive appearances for Kansas, with Johnston and Dubuque Hempstead both motivated to represent Iowa By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor Girls NXR Heartland Preview It was an historic season last year for the Heartland Region, with Olathe West becoming the first girls team from Kansas to advance to Nike Team Nationals or Nike Cross Nationals. Wayzata High from Minnesota also made it memorable by securing the program’s sixth trip to compete in Oregon, more than any girls group from the region in meet history. Olathe West and Wayzata will be in contention for the two automatic berths again this year at the regional meet Nov. 12 in South Dakota, but Minnetonka High of Minnesota – third place last season at Yankton Trail Park – is looking to make history of its own by qualifying to race for the first time Dec. 2 at Glendoveer Golf Course in Portland. Although the region had three qualifiers for Nike Team Nationals in both 2004 and 2006, the Heartland has never earned an at-large berth, placing even more emphasis on being one of the top two teams in Sioux Falls. Minnesota has secured 16 of the past 18 berths to compete at NXN, with only Muskego from Wisconsin advancing in 2019 and Olathe West qualifying last season. Edina from Minnesota made five consecutive trips to Oregon from 2015-19, before the meet went on a two-year hiatus as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Edina finished 10th at the regional last year. Iowa City West and Dowling Catholic combined for five appearances representing Iowa in the first seven years of the meet, but Iowa hasn’t had a girls qualifier in Portland since 2010, with Dubuque Hempstead and Johnston looking to end that drought following fourth- and fifth-place regional finishes last year. Sioux Falls Christian has the best potential for South Dakota to qualify for the first time since 2008, with Lincoln East and Omaha Westside both pursuing the first girls berth for Nebraska, along with Williston trying to achieve history for North Dakota. Kaukauna and Slinger are both attempting to become the third Wisconsin girls program to race in Oregon. Norah Hushagen of Forest Lake and Sydney Drevlow from Hopkins, both juniors, are returning NXN individual qualifiers representing Minnesota, both earning All-America honors in Portland. Luna Scorzelli of St. Paul Highland Park in Minnesota also has the potential to qualify this season, along with Marissa Long of Chanhassen and Isabelle Schmitz from Hutchinson. Katelyn Rupe from Salina Central, Anjali Hocker Singh of Olathe North and Lida Padgett of Shawnee Mission East are strong contenders to qualify representing Kansas. Rupe could also be joined by teammate and impact freshman Kaylie Schultz, one of the top young competitors in the region. Sara Mlodik of DC Everest and Mackenzie Babcock from Monona Grove in Wisconsin have the potential to advance to Portland, along with Iowa seniors Olivia Verde of Johnston, Julia Gehl from Dubuque Hempstead and Addison Dorenkamp of West Des Moines Valley. Mia Murray from Lincoln East and Stella Miner of Omaha Westside are elite contenders from Nebraska, along with Isabelle Bloker from Sioux Valley in South Dakota and Brynn Hanson of Des Lacs Burlington in North Dakota.
1. Wayzata MN. Despite graduating the strongest senior class in program history, the Trojans are ready to challenge for another Class AAA state championship, along with pursuing back-to-back regional titles. And Wayzata is not only primed to succeed this year, but for multiple seasons, with a strong sophomore class led by Maddie Gullickson and Jazleen Malherek-Osorio. Even without Abbey Nechanicky, last year’s state and regional champion who finished fourth at NXN, at the top of the Wayzata lineup, having Gullickson and Malherek-Osorio, along with fellow sophomores Miley Clark and Chloe Kissell, has helped the Trojans transition well after a veteran group contributed to a ninth-place finish in Oregon last season. Alyson Kleyman, a junior, and freshman Aubrey Smith gained meaningful experience competing last year in Portland, which will be beneficial for Wayzata if they can return to Glendoveer Golf Course in December. The presence of seniors Reese Anderson, Carlee Freeman and Lulu Knight also gives the Trojans depth, especially competing against Minnesota rivals Minnetonka and Edina.
2. Minnetonka MN. Following so many narrow setbacks and near misses in the past, including the two-year hiatus of NXN during the COVID-19 pandemic taking away additional opportunities for the Skippers, this group has the potential to finally solve the puzzle at the regional meet in South Dakota and earn the program’s first trip to Portland. Avery Marasco-Johnson, a junior, and freshman Evie Malec are both capable of qualifying to compete individually in Oregon, but they are highly motivated to help Minnetonka become the 10th girls program from Minnesota to race at NXN. Ella Graham and Kyra Martin, both seniors, provide great support for Malec and Marasco-Johnson and leadership for the rest of the Skippers’ lineup, which also includes junior Meredith Gilles, sophomore Olivia Muehlstedt and freshman Chloe Steinkraus.
3. Olathe West KS. The Owls enjoyed every moment of their memorable run to Glendoveer Golf Course last year, but they are even more determined to secure back-to-back trips to NXN, especially with five competitors from their lineup that placed 16th in Portland returning this season. Olathe West, the reigning 6A state champion, boasts an impressive senior trio in Bree Newport, Kate Miller and Kalyn Willingham, with sophomore Sydney All demonstrating significant improvement that could provide necessary support for the Owls following the graduation of Paige Baker and Charis Robinson. Liz Browning leads a junior class for Olathe West that also includes Jasmine Stiede and Laynie Clements, adding valuable depth at the state and regional championships.
4. Johnston IA. The primary focus for the Dragoons this fall is to capture a Class 4A state championship after finishing second to Dubuque Hempstead last season. But with all seven athletes returning from a lineup that placed fifth at the regional championship, there are additional postseason opportunities for Johnston that could culminate with the program’s first appearance at NXN. The presence of senior Olivia Verde and sophomore Alyx Woodley up front for Johnston gives the Dragoons the ability to compete well against Dubuque Hempstead’s dynamic duo of Julia Gehl and Keelee Leitzen. But the development of the Dragoons’ supporting cast of sophomores Audrey Dummermuth and Micah Fitzgerald, as well as the maturity of seniors Maggie Burry, Krissy Spear and Abigail Wharton, could be the difference for Johnston, which is also ready to showcase impact freshman Eleanor Wharton following her outstanding middle-school success.
5. Saint Paul Highland Park MN. With senior Luna Scorzelli leading the way, the Scots are again the favorite to capture the Class AA state championship. But there are even greater postseason aspirations for Saint Paul Highland Park, which returns six athletes from last year’s regional lineup that placed sixth in South Dakota. Ellie Moore, Samantha Palm, Grace Lewis-Mosher and Hanna Koch contribute to one of the top junior classes in the country, with sophomore Ingrid Haaland providing significant support for the Scots. Although Saint Paul Highland Park might not have as many opportunities to compete during the season against Class AAA programs Wayzata, Minnetonka, Mounds View, Prior Lake and Edina, the Scots will gain valuable experience Sept. 22 racing against a loaded field at the Roy Griak Invitational at the Les Bolstad Golf Course, which will also serve as the site for the Minnesota state final Nov. 4, with the venue hosting the event for the first time since 1990.
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