INDEX:
* The Roy Griak boys race from 2019
Roy Griak
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When: September 24
Where: Les Bolstad Golf Course -- Minneapolis, Minnesota
One of the premier mid-season races in Minnesota is back, and this year's installment has no shortage of talent on either side.
Two nationally-ranked girls programs -- No. 12 Minnetonka and No. 19 Edina -- and two ranked boys team -- No. 17 Wayzata and No. 19 Sioux City North (IA) -- are entered in the field at Les Bolstad, which offers some of the best cross country action you'll find anywhere. Rolling hills and rhythm-breaking sections permeate this course, which often is a predictor of future success for in-state and out-of-state programs.
On the girls side, no Minnesota-based girls team has won since 2016, and the last to do so was Edina. But considering this year's field list will likely favor in-state runners, that statistic is likely to change.
While Minnetonka is without leading runner Maya Mor for the season, the program remains ever-talented, with a 37-second spread and a 19:02 average. Edina, however, is likely hitting the right gears after an opening-season loss, too.
The girls of STMA feature potential race favorite Ali Weimer, while Wayzata's Abbey Nechanicky will also contend.
In the boys race, get ready to see just how good Shawnee Mission North's Micah Blomker and Minneapolis Southwest's Sam Scott can be. Those two are expected to compete for an individual title in the gold race.
Meanwhile, a host of schools will likely walk away with some surprising turns. With a massive field, winners of this race often score in the 100s, and that fact should be no different in 2021.
Minnesota boys teams have won three out of the last five gold races here at Roy Griak, but Iowa teams shouldn't be discounted: Both Sioux City North (IA) and Dowling Catholic (IA) could leave with wins here.
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