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The Willmar boys, MN AA-#1, HL#1 and US #8, enter into the Roy Griak for the first time in the school's history. The Roy Griak Invitational is held at Les Bolstad in Falcon Heights and is one of the premiere meets in the nation. Teams ranging from the high school level to the college level come from all over the nation. High school teams range from the lands of California to the rockies of Colorado to the midlands of Kansas and the midwest states of South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota. The Willmar boys head into this meet as the favorites to win. Other teams that should contend for the team title will be Bismarck (ND, HL #4), Wayzata (MN #2, HL#6), Rosemount (MN #3, HL#7), Hopkins (MN#5), Edina (MN#6), Dakota Ridge (CO, SW#10), Mounds View (MN#8), Robbinsdale Armstrong (MN#10) and Roseville (MN#12). This meet will be Willmar's first chance of the year to show their strength against other top ranked teams in the state and nation. Also in this meet will be a number of top-ranked runners. MN #1 Hassan Mead (Mpls. South), #3 T.C. Lumbar (Edina),5 Kaafi Addeys (Willmar), #6 Abdi Awale (Willmar), #7 Rob Finnerty (Burnsville), #9 Tom Burke (Edina), Jordan Carlson (Rosemount), Tyler King (Lakeville North), Justin Tyner (Brainerd), and Andrew Perkins (Watertown, WI). This will be one of the best meets in the nation and a chance for the Cardinals to make a name in the nation if they are to pick up a win here.
The boys race at 12:55 in the gold race. |
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The Willmar girls and JV boys will be competing at another of Minnesota's biggest meets of the year at the Apple Valley Invitational at Apple Valley High School. Last year the boys varsity (this year racing at Griak) won this race over Eden Prarie and the Willmar girls had a tremendous meet placing seventh. This year's JV will gain a lot of experience as the top 8 normal JV runners will be put to the test as they enter the Varsity race. MN #4 Eden Prarie highlights the field, along with previously ranked teams in Eastview and Lakeville South. Top runners at this meet will be MN #4 Ryan Little (Eden Prarie), MN #10 Jackson Wiley (Eden Prarie), and MN #11 Paul Hilsen (Lakeville South). Look for the boys to place higher than expected, but more importantly get the experience of running in a big meet.
The Willmar girls will enter this year's meet hoping to duplicate or better last year's 7th place result. The team's result will depend upon how big the young runners step up. This meet will be loaded with competition including MN #5 Eden Prarie, MN #6 Roseville and MN #12 Apple Valley. Top individuals competing in the girl's varsity race will include MN #1 Alexandra Gits (Eden Prarie) and MN # 8 Katie Dyson (Roseville). This will be a chance for the Lady Cards to show their wings and make a statement that they're not to be overshadowed. Races get underway at 9:30 am on Saturday. |
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