MN XC 2025 thread

Turns out he wasn’t really needed after all

It's a 5k. Pretty fast course though. Runs ~20 seconds faster than Gale Woods. It was also perfect conditions.

Nearly every runner ran over a minute faster than they did the previous week at conference, granted their conference course is fairly tough. Just another example of why you can't really compare XC times due to the various course and weather conditions day to day.

On good authority the Section 3 course is 174 meters short

It is mowed low and it was pretty firm footing

Ayoub Farah from Owatonna went from running in the 19s last year to running a 15:39 at section 1aaa this year and winning it, which got Owatonna to state for the first time since 2012

Definitely the most improved runner of the year

Got some state preview articles up here:

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Class A, Class AAA Boys, and Class AAA Girls

Some notes as I write preview articles. Hope it can jumpstart some conversations here!

• I am coming more and more around to Wayzata boys not being as heavy of favorite on Saturday. Blaine has the best chance to beat them.
• Mounds View boys are underrated. They can't win but definitely more in the top 3 mix than ranked.
• I have heard Lila Golomb will be running at state, not that it truly matters for Wayzata winning the title or not.
• We have had 5 straight state meets where Class A boys team title was decided by 8 points or less. But I think that streak ends Saturday. The more I look, the more I feel confident that the LA/RP/H boys win with relative ease. Redwood vs Cotter for 2nd will be more of the race.
• I'll take Brownell over Duffy in girls A race, but it'll be close. Isabel Pass gets 3rd.
• Perham boys are big favorites. Hard to see them lose.
• Race for 2nd in boys AA race is close. I have 4 team battle between Orono, Bekcer, Mankato East, and Como Park where any of them could get there.
• AA boys individuals could go a few ways too. Obst has to be the favorite.
• I mocked out the girls AA race and Mpls Southwest/Perham were within 3 points. Leaning Southwest today. Orono is biggest wildcard where they could be clear 3rd or drop down to 5th.

In AAA the only real drama seems to be in the Boys team race. Wayzata should be the clear favorite, but the gap isn't huge, any stumble by Wayzata and over-performance by a couple runners from the teams that are chasing them could allow one of the underdogs to pull it out.

Fries has been so dominate all year that the individual title seems like a forgone conclusion. Stuwe would need to seriously outperform, and Fries falter, for it to be even close. The only drama seems to be if Fries will break the State Course Record.

On the girl’s side Wayzata as the team champ also is a forgone conclusion along with Gullickson as the individual winner. Should be a competitive race for 2nd place though.

At AA Perham has been a powerhouse and should take the team title and the race for the individual title should come down to Obst, but I’ll be interested to see how Hallen and Duetz run along with the youngsters Wirth and Mold.

Team title for AA girls could be real close and fun to watch!

The boys A team title race between LA/RP/H, Cotter, and Redwood Valley will be interesting to follow. On the individual side will the senior Lev Dougherty be able to stay with Semling to make it a race at the end?

What is the State Course Record?

This wasn’t Minneapolis Washburn’s 3rd state meet appearance. They made it many more times. Otherwise, great article

https://www.mshsl.org/sites/default/files/2025-04/boys-cc-team-participants-thru-2024.pdf

Do we really think Redwood is in shape to give Cotter a run for 2nd? With their #2 not running under 17:30 since injury, and Tyler Robinson not having a race under 16:30 since his 15:55, I’ll take the underdogs from Litchfield at the 3rd team.

Redwood will absolutely dominate Litchfield. Everyone knows Litchfield's home course produces quick times

What about Augustana Twilight… where all the Redwood guys PR’d?

I believe Mechura broke it last year with his 15:03, but please correct me if I'm wrong.

I believe that is correct. I have no doubt Fries can break 15 with decent weather and if course isn't too beat up after first few races.

On the Washburn note, thank you. It should read as their 3rd appearance since 1970 but let me know if that is wrong too.

I would be surprised if Litchfield beat Redwood, even with RW's 2nd runner still recovering from a hip injury.

On the boys AAA individuals side, behind the top 2, it looks to be up for grabs.

Great job on the previews, really appreciate it.