MINNESOTA STATE MEET

Wayzata Boys Grab AAA Title With 17.3-Second Compression 1-Through-5

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

The Wayzata boys made use of an 17.3-second spread 1-5 to earn a Class AAA state championship on Saturday at St. Olaf College. 

The Trojans did not follow the typical path to success at a state meet. Top finisher Hamza Mohamed was the 26th finisher in the state final, which meant he put up a big first number (13) for the team. But the pack took the day. Freshman William Weber came in right behind Mohamed and Alex Fox, Parker Dietrick and Daniel McCollor were all close by. Sixth runner Ethan Hanold was just another three seconds back. 

Wayzata scored 96 points and held a 22-point advantage over Minneapolis Southwest. The 1-5 split was the smallest for a championship team at the Minnesota state meet since 1988.

Minnetonka junior Nick Gilles ran to the individual title in 15:22.8, pushed to the end by Noah Breker of Robbinsdale Armstrong (15:25.1). Sophomore Sam Scott of Minneapolis Southwest, unbeaten in Minnesota much of the season, was with the leaders through two miles but faded to 17th. 

Minnesota moved to a three-class state meet for the first time this year. Last year's state championship meet was canceled due to COVID-19.

US#21 Edina won the girls title four the fourth time since 2015, with 75 points. The Hornets put three in the top 13. 

Ali Weimer from St. Michael-Albertville, US#13, won the girls race in 17:42.8. Hopkins freshmen Sydney Drevlow and Daphne Grobstein went 2-3. 

Big Lake won the boys AA title with 92 points and St. Paul Highland Park took the girls title with 61. 

Alden Keller from Breck School won the boys AA race in 15:53.2. Isabelle Schmitz of Hutchinson won the girls race in 17:59.4. 

Jacob McCleary from Perham won the A race in 16:09.6 and Nova Classical Academy won the team championship.

Amanda Overgaauw from Murray County Central won the girls race in 18:09.1. Staples-Motley took the team title by six points over Perhap (103-109).  

Team Champions - 

Class AAA - Wayzata boys 96 points, Edina girls 75 points - RESULTS

Class AA - Big Lake boys 92 points, St. Paul Highland Park girls 61 points - RESULTS

Class A - Nova Classical Academy boys 122 points, Staples-Motley girls 103 points - RESULTS