RUNNERS TO WATCH

Jacey Majerus, Lake City. The sophomore has been to the last three Class A state meets. She placed 10th as a individual at state in 2019 (19:05.7) after taking second in the Section 1A meet (19:17.5).

Natasha Sortland, Zumbrota-Mazeppa/Kenyon-Wanamingo. The sophomore won the Section 1A individual title (18.11.4) a year ago, but then slipped in the Class A state meet as her time dropped more than two minutes (20:29.6) and she finished 74th.

Molly Kate Hagen, Plainview-Elgin-Millville. The sophomore placed sixth in the Section 1A meet (19:47.9) and followed that up with an even fast time at state (19:43.7) as she placed 30th in Class A.

Madilyn Simon, Plainview-Elgin-Millville. The junior finished fourth in the Section 1A meet (19:3.9.7), but her time slipped to 20:48.9 in the Class A state meet and she finished 106th.

Peyton Meincke, Lake City. The eighth-grader placed 10th in the Section 1A meet (20:15.9) to help the Tigers earn a state berth. She then improved her time at the state meet (19:51.5), where she placed 36th.

Nadia Vaughn, Austin. The junior had a solid time of 19:45.5 in the Section 1AA meet to place 21th.

Addison Fjetland, Red Wing. The freshman is coming off a season in which she placed 27th at the Section 1AA meet (19:56.6).

Aubrey Williams, Winona Cotter. The senior was a state qualifier a year ago and she placed 46th (19:59.5) and had a significantly better time than at the Section 1AA meet, where she placed 13th (20.39.5).

Claire Ebertowski, Winona C otter. The senior was 11th in the Section 1A meet (20:16.2) to earn a state berth. She improved her time at state (20:05.4) and placed 56th in Class A.

Aletta Strande, Chatfield. The sophomore placed ninth in the Section 1A meet (20:06.1) to earn a state berth. She finished 89th at state (20:32.7).

Michaela Hamilton and Taylor Matter, Byron. The Bears' 1-2 combo, sophomore Hamilton was 33rd (20:14.2) in the Section 1AA meet a year ago and eighth-grader Matter was 37th (20:18.3).

Malia Nelson, Dover-Eyota: The junior was 14th in last year's Section 1A meet (20.49.1).

Lydia Rosendahl, LaCrescent-Hokah. The junior placed 15th a year ago in the Section 1A meet (20.53.0).

Alison Graff, Stewartville. The sophomore helped the Tigers earn a Class A state team berth a year ago and she placed 90th at state (20:32.8).

Olivia Field, Stewartville. The junior placed 18th at the Section 1A meet (21:01.8). Then as part of the Tigers' ninth-place finishing team in Class A, she placed 112th at state (20:56.3).

OTHER TOP AREA RETURNERS

WINONA

Coach: Jed Reisetter. Top runners: Colleen Halleck (38th at Big Nine Conference meet).

BYRON

Coach: Tom O’Leary. Top returners: Michaela Hamilton (sophomore, All-Conference, 2018 state participant), Taylor Matter (8th grade, All-Conference), Kailey Schneider (freshman, All-Conference).

KASSON-MANTORVILLE

Coach: Jared Pittman. Top returner: Tiana Wiebke (four-time All-Conference).

STEWARTVILLE

Coach: Mickie Tuseth. Top returners: Olivia Field (junior, All-Conference, two-time state qualifier), Ali Graff (sophomore), Kaylie Dougherty (sophomore), Ana Walters (senior, state team qualifier).

ZUMBROTA-MAZEPPA/KENYON-WANAMINGO

Coach: Brad Smith. Top returners: Natasha Sortland (HVL champ, Section 1A champion, state qualifier), Grace Vierling, Sierra Belcher, Ruthann Erickson, Bobbie Rae Benson, Ella DeFrang, Madelyn Hofschulte, Siddha Hunt, Hailey Grudem, Gabriella Banks, Alexis Berkner.

DOVER-EYOTA

Coach: Julie Nelson. Top returners: Malia Nelson (All-Conference), Reese Barker All-Conference.

La CRESCENT-HOKAH

Coach: Mark Abraham. Top returners: Lydia Rosendahl (junior, seventh at Three Rivers meet, 15th at Section 1A in 20:53), Autumn Rabe 17th at Three Rivers meet, 35th at Section 1A in 21:37).

BLOOMING PRAIRIE BLOSSOMS

Coach: John Bruns. Top returners: Bobbie Bruns (Junior, two-time All-Conference, injured in eighth-grade, played volleyball last year, school record-holder in the 5K in 20:29. Abby Smith (Sophomore, All-Conference last season).

HAYFIELD

Coach: Kellie Baker. Top returner: Grace Walker (junior, honorable mention All-Conference honors, 91st at Section 1A).

AUSTIN PACELLI

Coach: Jim Parlin. Top Runners: Lexi Lewis (8th grade, 24th at Section 1A), Kirsten Koopal (8th grade, 90th at Section 1A).