Saturday, September 30, 2017

Friday, September 29, 2017

Viking Invitational Results

  BLC Viking Invitational Results HERE

Thursday, September 28, 2017

In 1977 the First Women's Only US Marathon Championships was run in the Twin Cities

Jill Hanson running the 1977 US Women's Marathon Championships.
Photo by Bernie Friel
Sarah Barker takes you back 40 years when history was made in the Twin Cities HERE

Leal- Ann Reinhart on her way to a national championship
Photo by Bernie Friel

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

NCAA DIII Women's National Coaches Poll

                                          NCAA DIII Women's National Coaches Poll
                                                                        HERE

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

NCAA DI Men's National Coaches Poll

                                    NCAA DI Men's National Coaches Poll HERE
NCAA DI Women's National Coaches' Poll HERE

Plan Ahead for MedtronicTC Marathon Events Transportation

Twin Cities In Motion Urges Motorists to Plan Ahead on Race Day
METRO Blue & Green Lines Free for Runners on Sept. 30 & Oct. 1

St. Paul, Minn. – September 26, 2017 – Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon organizer Twin Cities In Motion advises Minneapolis and St. Paul residents on the move on Sunday morning to plan travel ahead of time due to street closures for the 36th annual Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon and Medtronic TC 10 Mile on October 1.

On race day, motorists will notice traffic restrictions in downtown Minneapolis starting in the early morning hours on Sunday. An area near the U.S. Bank Stadium from 5th Avenue to 11th Avenue and from 6th Street to 3rd Street will be closed at 5:00 a.m. for start line setup, reopening at approximately 9:00 a.m., ahead of the noon Vikings home game.

Participants and spectators are reminded that northbound I-35W will be closed on Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon Weekend for Franklin Ave. overpass demolition, so those driving into downtown Minneapolis are urged to allow extra time to reach the start line or other destinations downtown.

Along the marathon course which runs from downtown Minneapolis, along the chain of lakes to Minnehaha Parkway, up West River Road to the Franklin Bridge, down East River Road to Summit Avenue, and to the finish at the state capitol will prompt rolling road closures on the course itself and limit traffic across it to selected crossing points. The crossing points are listed on the Twin Cities In Motion website at tcmevents.org/transportation.

At the finish area on the State Capitol grounds in St. Paul, following closures are scheduled:

• Summit Avenue between Ramsey Street and Portland Ave. will be closed from Saturday, September 30, at noon through Sunday, October 1, at 6:00 p.m. Traffic will be detoured on Portland Ave to Arundel Street.
• John Ireland Blvd. between 12th Street and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. will be closed Thursday, September 28, at 9:00 a.m. through Sunday, October 1, at 5:00 p.m.
• Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and Aurora Avenue will be closed Friday, September 29, at 9:00 a.m. through Sunday, October 1, at 6:00 p.m.

• 12th Street from Wabasha to John Ireland Blvd. will be closed Saturday, September 30, from 5:00 a.m. to noon and on Sunday, October 1, from 5:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Franklin Avenue Bridge crossing the Mississippi River in Minneapolis will be closed to motor vehicle traffic while the 10 mile and marathon use the bridge. The motor vehicle closure is expected to last from roughly 5:45 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

Parking: Motorists are reminded to take note of hooded meters and no parking signs along and near the course. Near the start line, event parking rates will apply on Sunday morning due to the Minnesota Vikings game later in the day. Finish line parking is available on the streets and in various lots around the Capitol grounds in Saint Paul. The Sears store west of the Capitol offers limited Event Parking near the finish line on a first-come first-served basis for $20.

METRO Lines: Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon and Medtronic TC 10 Mile runners can ride the METRO Green and Blue Lines for free on Saturday, September 30, and Sunday, October 1, if they display their race bib. Event volunteers can ride METRO Red Line buses or METRO Green and Blue Line trains when they display a date-specific downloadable free ride pass for various times Thursday, September 28 , through Sunday, October 1.

More than 30,000 runners are expected for the 36th annual Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon Weekend which includes events on Saturday, September 30, on and near the State Capitol grounds. For more information about the events, visit the Twin Cities In Motion website, tcmevents.org

The Nature/Nurture Question asked of Sonia O'Sullivan and her daughters

The Nature/Nurture Question asked of Sonia O'Sullivan and her daughters HERE

Edina's Max Manley first MN finisher in the Boy's Gold race


Edina's Max Manley(3671) on his way to a 6th place finish in the Boy's Gold race.
Trailed by Great Oak's Jacob Korgan(3767)
Photo by Gene Niemi

Monday, September 25, 2017

Carleton and St. Thomas go 1-2 in the DIII team competition

Emily Kaegi(2013) leads the Carleton women's team to the Maroon DIII Title
Because of the hot, humid weather the teams from DII and DIII ran together While many of the team titles went to West Coast teams, two MIAC teams, perennial conference champions St. Thomas and Carleton took the top two spots with Carleton scoring 26 points to 67 for runner up St. Thomas.  Four more MIAC teams finished in the top 10:  Macalester (5th), Hamline (6th), Concordia Moorhead(7th), and St. Kates(9th)

Lexi Zeis and Mason Phillips Earn National Athlete of the Week Honors



Gene Neimi's Roy Griak Invitational Gopher Men Photo Album

                                                            Gopher men at the start
                                              Charlie Lawrence(38) in the chase pack
                                         Hamza Ali(42) battles UCLA's John Carter Blunt

Minnesota Coaches Association Boy's AA Cross Country Rankings



Week 4 (released 9/25/2017)
Teams:
1              Wayzata
2              Edina
3              Stillwater
4              Minnetonka
5              White Bear Lake
6              Minneapolis Washburn
7              Eden Prairie
8              Sartell
9              Mounds View
10           St. Michael-Albertville
11           Red Wing
12           Hopkins
Other Teams receiving votes:
Chanhassen, St Paul Central


Individuals:
1              Max Manley, Edina
2              Khalid Hussein, Wayzata
3              Adam Wilkinson, Minnetonka
4              Acer Iverson, Roseville
5              Grant Price, Wayzata
6              Andrew Brandt, Wayzata
7              Luke Labatte, Rosemount
8              Grant Matthews, Wayzata
9              Addison Stansbury, Stillwater
10           Myles Fleming, Henry Sibley
11           Tom Breuckman, Andover
12           Mitchell Tolander, Wayzata
 Other Athletes receiving votes:

Joseph Minor, Washburn

Girls AA Rankings

 9/25 
1 Wayzata                              
2 Minnetonka                                                             
3 St Michael Albertville                                 
4 Edina                                   
5 Willmar
6 Mpls. Washburn                                          
7 Eden Prairie                        
8 Farmington                                     
9 Marshall                              
10 Henry Sibley                                                                      
10 Stillwater                                                   
11 Becker                               
12 Roseville
Honorable Mention:  

Individuals
1       Emily Covert, 11, Mpls Washburn                             
2       Sophie Whicher, 12, Minnetonka 
3       Anna Fenske, 9, Farmington 
4       Emma Atkinson, 10, Wayzata                                   
5       Emily Kompelien, 12, Edina  
6       Caroline Sasson, 10, Wayzata      
7       Brianne Brewster, 11, Lakeville South                      
8       Ali Weimer, 8, St Michael Albertville 
9       Annalise Davis, 11, St Michael Albertville                
10     Liesl Paulsen 10 Eden Prairie                                    
11     Elizabeth Halbmaier, 12, Minnetonka                      
12     Ingrid Bulceag-Ara, 10, Sartell                                  
Honorable Mention:  Rhynn Paulsen, 10, Wayzata

Strength Beats Fear for U-Mary's Lexi Zeis

Lexi Zeis defends her Griak Title
Photo by Gene Neimi
U Mary's Lexi Zeis led from start to finish to defend her Griak Maroon DII title. It was more of a time trial than a race as UMD's Emi Trost is still recovering from a foot injury so she wasn't able to continue her rivalry with Zeis.  Both have won national championships and each missed the opportunity to challenge each other.

Zeis has two words tatooed on the back of her shoulder: Strength and Fear.  Strength overcomes the fear says Zeis, who was a national caliber ice skater before she got into running.  She used her mental strength to overcome any doubts she might have going into a competition and the strategy  has been effective.

Genes and Caffeine

Genes and Caffeine: Genes determine how you respond to caffeine HERE

STATE CROSS COUNTRY COACHES’ ASSOCIATION CLASS A RANKINGS

Sept. 25th, 2017      
                                   
BOY'S TEAMS:                           
1.       Perham                                   
2.       Lac Qui Parle Valley/DB           
3.       Mankato Loyola/Cleveland          
4.       Greenway/NK                          
5.       Esko                                         
6.       Nova Classic                         
7        St. James Area                           
8.       Jordan                                      
9.       Annandale                                
10.      Staples-Motley                        
11.     Plainview-Elgin-Millville         
12      Minnehaha Academy  
              
 INDIVIDUALS:
1.       Geno Uhrbom              Greenway/NK
2.       Matt Steiger                     LaCrescent
3.       Keiser Freetley   Lac Qui Parle Valley   
4.       Declan Dahlberg   Mounds Park Acad.
5.       Emmett Anderson      Staples-Motley
6.       Lucas Pierson                     St. James
7        Jebadiah Merkle             SW Christian
8.       Jacob Bright          West Central Area
9.       Owen Keiser                            Jordan
10.      Jake Paron                      North Shore
11.     Mike Kvaal        Lac Qui Parle Valley
12      Nathan Runck    Mountain Lake Area
        
GIRL'S TEAMS:                              
1.       Fairmont                                  
2.       Perham                                          
3.        Stewartville                       
4.       Annandale                                
5.       Cotter                                     
6.       Belle Plaine                             
7.       Minnehaha Academy           
8.       Lake City                                  
9.       Lac Qui Parle Valley/DB          
10      Luverne                                    
11.     West Central Area                  
12.     Mora                                        

 INDIVIDUALS:
1.       Grace Ping  Cotter
2.        Lauren  Ping     Cotter   
3.        Tierney Wolfgram    Math&Science Acad.
4.        Ava Hill                         Mesabi East
5.       Makenna Thurston Lake Cyrstral WM/N
6.       Abby Orvis                    Stewartville
7.       Marissa Whitehead   Martin County West
8.       Morgan Gehl     Murray County Cent.
9.       Natasha Sortland   Zumbrota-M/K-W
10      Kristine Kalthoff                     Albany
11.     Kayla Christopherson    Austin Pacelli
12.     Laura Thompson                  Fairmont

Sunday, September 24, 2017

Gene Niemi's Griak Invitational HS Photo Album

                                  
The pack in the Women's Gold HS Race.
Photo by Gene Niemi
Wayzata Boy's team sprint  toward  the finish
Photo by Gene Niemi
                                        Emily Covert on her way to the HS Girl's Gold Title.
                                                              Photo by Gene Niemi

                                                     Grace Ping. Photo by Gene Niemi

Emily Covert didn't devise an elaborate plan for the Griak girl's HS Gold race.  Her mission was simple.  Stick like glue to the lead pack.  Conserve energy for an attempt to break away from the others during the last mile.  She executed  the plan and was rewarded with her first victory over Grace Ping and Anna Fenske when the trio were running in the same race.

Her confidence boued, Covert will attempt to build on her success with continued improvement through the rest of the season in Minnesota, followed perhaps, by a chance to test herself against the best in the US.

In the boy's race, South Dakotan Derick Peters, who goes to West Central  HS, turned in one of, if not the most impressive performance on Saturday.  Seemingly oblivious to the hot, humid conditions, Peters not only won the 5K, he finished in 15:49.43 and he made it look easy.  "I was really nervous before the meet," Peters said.  "I don't know why." So much so that he couldn't finish the cheesecake he ordered at the hotel. Peters was hoping to finish it after the race.
Derek Peters striding toward the finish.
Photo by Gene Niemi

Peters wasn't expecting a fast time, he said, the objective was winning.  His race plan was to lay back early and to use what he considered to be his strength, running on the hills, where he planned to push the pace going up and down.  Many of the hills were in the later part of the run, fitting into his plan to use that to his advantage. He began the race a bit faster than he'd planned, but he still felt good.  So, instead of slowing down, Peters tried a unique strategy to keep up his rapid tempo.

Eventual runner-up, Dowling Catholic's Matthew Carmody, was in front of the lead pack, and Peters passed him.  Instead of blowing past Carmody, however,  he tried to enlist him instead.  "He was encouraging me," said Carmody.

The reason for this unusual tactic was that Peters believed  two in the lead was better than just one. The tandem attack didn't last for long, though as Peters dropped Carmody when he charged up one of the hills and was on his own for the rest of the race. He looked back at times to make sure that nobody was sneaking up on him.  Peters could obviously have run faster had that been the goal.

Saturday, September 23, 2017

Roy Griak Invitational Results

Roy Griak Invitational Results HERE
Gopher women wear message of support on their legs; "Brave like Gabe"
Photo by Doug Hasz
The runners weren't the only ones who had issues with the heat:

Friday, September 22, 2017

Griak Invitational Revised Schedule

  8:55 a.m. National Anthem
  9:00 a.m. Suzy Wilson Women's Maroon III and Maroon II Competitions
  9:40 a.m. Men's Maroon III and Maroon II Competitions
  9:45 a.m. Women's Maroon III and Maroon II Awards
  10:20 a.m. Merrill Fischbein Men's Gold Competition 
  10:25 a.m. Men's Maroon II and Maroon III Awards
  11:00 a.m. Jack Johnson Women's Gold Competition
  11:05 a.m. Merrill Fischbein Men's Gold Awards
  11:40 a.m. Goldy's Kids Race
  11:55 a.m. National Anthem
  12:00 p.m. Larry Zirgibel High School Boys' Gold Competition
  12:05 p.m. Jack Johnson Women's Gold Awards
  12:35 p.m. Larry Zirgibel High School Boys' Gold Awards
  12:40 p.m. Gary Wilson High School Girls' Gold Competition
  12:50 p.m. Roy Griak Hall of Fame Presentation
  1:00 p.m. 2007 Big Ten Champions Presentation
  1:20 p.m. Lefty Wright High School Boys' Maroon Competition
  1:25 p.m. Gary Wilson High School Girls' Gold Awards
  2:05 p.m. High School Girls' Maroon Competition
  2:10 p.m. Lefty Wright High School Boys' Maroon Awards
  2:50 p.m. High School Girls' Maroon Awards

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Emma Benner named the Women's Big 10 XC Athlete of the Week


NCAA DIII Men's National Coaches' Poll

                                           NCAA DIII Men's National Coaches' Poll
                                                                          HERE

NCAA DIII Women's National Coaches' Poll

                                           NCAA DIIIWomen's National Coaches' Poll
                                                                        HERE

NCAA DII Men's XC National Coaches' Poll

                                      NCAA DII Men's XC National Coaches' Poll
                                                                  HERE

NCAA DII Women's National Coaches' Poll

                                       NCAA DII Women's National Coaches' Poll
                                                                    HERE

NCAA DI Men's XC National Coaches' Poll

                                        NCAA DI Men's XC National Coaches' Poll
                                                                         HERE

NCAA DI Women's XC National Coaches Poll

                                     NCAA DI Women's XC National Coaches Poll
                                                                       HERE

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

NCAA DIII Regional XC Rankings

                                             NCAA DIII Regional XC Rankings HERE

Monday, September 18, 2017

Boy's AA HS Cross Country Rankings

Minnesota Coaches' Association
Week 3 (released 9/18/2017)
Teams:
1              Wayzata
2              Edina
3              Stillwater
4              Minnetonka
5              Minneapolis Washburn
6              Eden Prairie
7              Mounds View
8              White Bear Lake
9              Sartell
10           Red Wing
11           Rosemount
12           Chanhassen
 Other Teams receiving votes: Winona

Individuals:
1              Grant Price, Wayzata
2              Khalid Hussein, Wayzata
3              Addison Stansbury, Stillwater
4              Max Manley, Edina
5              Acer Iverson, Roseville
6              Joseph Minor, Washburn
7              Isaac Basten, Buffalo
8              Luke Labatte, Rosemount
9              Mitchell Tolander, Wayzata
10           Adam Wilkinson, Minnetonka
11           Blake Buysse, Wayzata
12           Owen Gage, Edina
Other Athletes receiving votes: Caleb Haugland, Washburn; Benjamin Olson, Blaine

Girl's HS AA Rankings

 9/18 
Teams
1 Edina                                                                                                           
2 Minnetonka                                                             
3 Wayzata                              
4 Mpls. Washburn                  
5 Willmar       
6 Marshall      
7 St Michael Albertville         
8 Forest Lake                                      
9 Henry Sibley                                                            
10 Stillwater                           
11 Shakopee                          
12 Becker       
 Honorable Mention:   Farmington, Eden Prairie , Roseville, East Ridge                  

Individuals
1       Sophie Whicher, 12, Minnetonka                             
2       Emily Covert, 11, Mpls Washburn                                                           
3       Anna Fenske, 9, Farmington 
4       Emily Kompelien, 12, Edina
5       Emma Atkinson, 10, Wayzata
6       Caroline Sasson, 10, Wayzata 
7       Annalise Davis, 11, St Michael Albertville                
8       Maria Rickman, 12, Edina 
9       Rhynn Paulsen, 10, Wayzata                     
10     Brianne Brewster, 11, Lakeville South                      
11     Elizabeth Halbmaier, 12, Minnetonka                      
12     Ingrid Bulceag-Ara, 10, Sartell                                  
Honorable Mention:  Liesl Paulsen 10 Eden Prairie,  Ali Weimer, 8, STMA; Regan Duffy, 11, Forest Lake

St. Scholastica's Casey Hovland an Athlete of the Week

St. Scholastica's Casey Hovland an Athlete of the Week
                                                St. Scholastica summary HERE
Hovland wins St. Olaf Invite women's race

Gil Dodds Invitational Results

Gil Dodds Invitational Results HERE
North Central(MN) summary HERE

Sunday, September 17, 2017

STATE CROSS COUNTRY COACHES’ ASSOCIATION CLASS A RANKINGS

September 18, 2017      

BOY'S TEAMS:                           
1.       Perham                                    
2.       Mankato Loyola/Cleveland      
3.       Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop         
4.       Greenway/NK                              
5.       Lac Qui Parle Valley/DB           
6.       Jordan                                  
7        Mora                                         
8.       Minnehaha Academy                
9.       Annandale                                
10.      St. James Area                          
11.     West Central Area                     
12      RAACHE    
                            
INDIVIDUALS:
1.       Declan Dahlberg   Mounds Park Acad.
2.       Matt Steiger                     LaCrescent
3.       Geno Uhrbom              Greenway/NK
4.       Keiser Freetley   Lac Qui Parle Valley   
5.       Owen Keiser                            Jordan
6.      Jake Paron                       North Shore
7        Lucas Pierson                     St. James
8.       Emmett Anderson      Staples-Motley
9.       Jacob Bright          West Central Area
10.     Ethan Olson             Moose Lake/WR
11.     Christian Sterton            Ada-Borup
12      Nathan Runck    Mountain Lake Area
         
GIRL'S TEAMS:                          
1.       Fairmont                              
2.       Perham                                          
3.        Annandale                           
4.       Cotter                                  
5.       Stewartville                          
6.       Belle Plaine                         
7.       Luverne                                    
8.       Minnehaha Academy                
9.       Lake City                                   
10      Maple Lake                              
11.     Providence Academy  
12.     Lanesboro Filmore Central       

INDIVIDUALS:
1.       Grace Ping                                Cotter
2.       Tierney Wolfgram Math&Science Acad.          
3.       Lauren Ping                             Cotter
4.       Marissa Whitehead   Martin County West
5.       Morgan Gehl     Murray County Cent.
6.       Makenna Thurston Lake Cyrstral WM/N
7.       Ava Hill                         Mesabi East
8.       Katherine Geist                 Crookston
9.       Lexi Bright          West Central Area
10      Kayla Christopherson    Austin Pacelli
11.     Caitlin Covington                   Perham
12.     Kira Sweeney             Staples-Motley