11.11.2013 - WESTWARD HO!

The lady Harriers of Wayzata, for the 2nd year in a row, successfully defended their Nike Heartland Championship. The gals, running without their number 1, Anna French, ran a solid effort to punch their ticket to Portland for the Nike National meet, Dec. 7th.  The somewhat flat effort was understandable coming off of such an enormous high from the state meet the week before.  For the 2nd week in a row the  ladies used superior packing to ensure the victory. Freshman Annika Lerdall led the charge, followed closely by Annika Halverson, Mary Franke, Michaela Keller-Miller, Alayna Sonnesyn, McKenna Evans and Jaycie Thomsen!

The Ladies of the Green Open race repeated the team win this year!  The Team included the impressive force of Kristine & Mackenzie Keller-Miller, Katie Farquhar, Melissa Drenckhahan, Evelyn Frenz, Ava Gondeck, Leah Johnson, Hannah Sullivan, Maeve Andrews, Thalia Alarcon, Rachel Neese, Martha Kulberg, Maria Zahhos and Kayla French. It was a fun weekend for everyone!  Congrats to the Wayzata Boys XC Team in qualifying for NXN as well!  

Official results are here:  http://nxnhl.runnerspace.com/eprofile.php?do=title&title_id=189&event_id=300

11.3.2013 - STAT MEET RECAP

The official end of the 2013 cross country season came to an end in grand fashion as the Ladies from Wayzata defended their 2012 state title. The Lady Trojans scored a meager 37 points topping 2nd place East Ridge by 97.  The girls set a new state record of 14:37.5 as a team average time, while putting all seven runners in the top 20. What was even more impressive was the fact that Anna French had an off day, Mary Franke was battling a sprained ankle, and Michaela Keller-Miller was not at 100% due to injury.  

    The race started off in the usual sprint across the soccer fields headed by the Hasz sisters from Alexandria.  The cool and calm Wayzata pack running  around 35th to 40th at the 1600 meter mark held a 72 point lead over Chanhassen.  The girls moved steadily through the pack all finishing in the top 20 and being the first team in state history to have all seven runners garner all-state honors.  

The Wayzata team will next attempt to qualify for the Nike national meet at the Heartland Regional in Sioux Falls on Sunday the 10th.  

10.25.2013 - WEEK RECAP

Wayzata finished the year on an incredibly high note this week.  The week started with the JV showing they are ready to take the mantle from the seniors next year by sweeping the Grade Level Championships.  Senior Mackenzie Keller-Miller started the day by rolling to a big win in the junior/senior race easily running her best race of the year.  The group of Katie Farquhar 11, Rachel Neese 12, Leah Johnson 11, Martha Kuhlberg 12, Maria Zahhos 12, and Jessica Mohr 11, followed Mackenzie in helping the veteran group to distance themselves from Edina 38 to 77 for the win.

Fabulous results followed in the sophomore  and under race as freshman Jaycie Thomsen pulled a carbon copy of Mackenzie's race as she pulled away for the win. The sophomore class followed with the next six for Wayzata.  Kristine Keller-Miller, Eva Pettersen, Melissa Drenkhahn, Evelyn Frenz, Ava Gondack, and Hannah Sullivan beat Edina 31 to 52 for the win. 

The varsity continued the great week by taking top honors at section 6AA.  It was an incredible performance as the lady harriers barely missed a perfect score by three points.  All seven runners placed in the top 9 running under 14:50 for the first time in state history.  The number 1 ranked squad take their show on the road to Northfield, Mn. next Saturday, Nov. 2 for the State Championship meet starting at 10:00 am.  

1. Wayzata 
1 Anna French, 11 14:08.4 
2 Annika lerdall, 9 14:33.8 
3 Annika HalvErson, 12 14:34.3 
5 Alayna Sonnesyn, 12 14:40.3 
7 Mary Franke, 12 14:41.9 
8 Michaela Keller-Miller, 10 14:43.8 
9 McKenna Evans, 12 14:46.7 
Total Time = 1:12:38.7 Total Places = 18 
2. Eden Prairie 
4 Hannah Jeter, 12 14:35.9
13 Olivia Dengel, 12 15:09.6 
17 Samantha Schnirring, 11 15:20.8 
25 Katherine Vergeront, 12 15:44.2 
27 Abbie Drach, 11 15:45.0 
28 Micayla Batchlor, 11 15:45.8 
40 Jennifer Page, 12 16:17.4 
Total Time = 1:16:35.5 Total Places = 86

10.11.2013 - LAKE CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS

It was real head scratcher at the Lake conference championships as top-ranked Wayzata dominated the field on a day that seemed to have potential for some fast times.  Unfortunately, the two year rock hard course came to an end as rains from last week noticeably softened the terrain.  Throw in unseasonably  warm temperatures with a frisky head wind the last 800 of the course, and a recipe was created for some rough going.  Running without Michaela Keller-Miller, the seniors stepped up by putting five in the top thirteen for all-conference honors. Leading the charge was Anna French, running a personal best Gale woods time.  Coming in second was the steadily improving freshman, Annika Lerdall, running one of the only personal bests of the day.  Those two were followed by seniors Annika HalvErson, third, Mary Franke, fourth, McKenna Evans, seventh, Alayna Sonnesyn, ninth, and Mackenzie Keller-Miller, thirteenth.  That gave Wayzata seven all-conference runners. Next up will be the Dundee invitational next Tuesday. 

9.23.2013 - WAYZATA XC WINS BIG AT GRIAK!

The much debated 5k distance proved to be no issue for the top-ranked lady Trojans as they moved steadily through the massive 50 team field taking first place and impressively distancing themselves from the rest of the competition.  It was a much anticipated match-up with Naperville North, last years meet winner and Nike qualifier. Final results were:

Wayzata 58

Cherry Creek, Colorado 162

Naperville North, Illinois 183

It was the way the veteran harriers went about their business that impressed the ravenous fans at Les Bolstad golf course. With Anna French up front, running with the lead group, the rest of the perky squad used a more methodical approach to finish with seven runners in the top 23 of a 490 runner field.  The pack of Halverson, Michaela Keller-Miler, Lerdall, Franke, Evans, and Sonnesyn, ranged from 77 to 84th at the 1K mark, all moving into the top 23 as the finished line appeared.  

"They are really fit right now", remarked Ingred Halverson, sister of Annika Halverson.  "The salad bar my sister has been eating has really paid off!"  a smiling future Trojan said shaking her head.

The softer than usual conditions did not hinder Anna French as she took 2nd over-all to nationally ranked, Jordan Colter.  Anna shook off her past disappointments at this race, to run by nationally ranked, McKenzie Yanek, and Megan Reilly in the last 1K to run an outstanding time of 17:59.9.

Jaycie Thomsen, Mackenzie Keller-Miller, and Kristine Keller-Miller rounded out the Wayzata crew as they all ran stellar times.

Next up for the squad as they enter October and championship season is the Lake Conference Meet on Oct 10th.