Congratulations Abbey Nechanicky on her win at the St. Olaf Showcase!
“Wayzata Freshman Abbey Nechanicky pulled away from Zumbrota-Mazeppa freshman Natasha Sortland in the final mile to take the individual title in 18:19.3 the fastest class AA time this season and just 10 seconds off her PR. Sortland's 18:44.9 is the fastest class A time this season by 45 seconds and is 15 seconds off her PR. The dual between a pair of promising freshman was also part of a larger youth movement as the top five finishers were all freshman or sophomores. Overall just two seniors placed in the top ten, led by Red Wing no. 1 Grace Johnson (19:12.0). Saint Michael Albertville sophomores Ali Weimer and Katie Sigerud went 4-5 overall both in sub 19-minute times.
TOP FIVE INDIVIDUALS: Nechanicky (Wayzata, 18:19.3), Sortland (Zumbrota-Mazeppa, 18:44.9), Ali Weiner (St Michael Albertville, 18:45.4), Katie Sigerud (St. Michael Albertville, 18:46.4), Ella Dufault (Waseca, 19:07.7)
Led by Nechanicky's victory, Wayzata flexed its muscle edging Saint Michael-Albertville by 10 points, winning without projected number one and sub-18 minute performer Emma Atkinson or Caroline Sassan. It's likely that several teams had a runner or two sidelined or training through the race but Wayzata averaged 19:39 and put all five scorers in the top 25 without a possible state title contender and another all-state talent on the bench. Yet STMA had a great day that is very impressive in its own right, bettering Wayzata's average time (19:37) running a tighter 1:31 split. Their top pair was 3-4 individually and ran competitively with the level of athletes they'll face at the class AA state meet and NXR. Staples-Motleywas the top class A school, finishing eighth overall, led by eighth grader Kyanna Burton(20:05.3, 22nd).
TOP FIVE TEAMS: WAYZATA (76), STMA (86), FOREST LAKE (157), MOUNDS VIEW (189), ROSEVILLE (240)” MileSplit 8/29/2019