MINNESOTA STATE MEET

Wayzata Runs To Dominant State Meet Sweeps; Nechanicky Cruises To 16:47

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Abbey Nechanicky's status as a national contender was further confirmed on Saturday at the Minnesota state championships in St. Olaf, where the Wayzata senior rolled to a big win in 16:47.6 for her fourth consecutive win under 17 minutes. 

Nechanicky, who is a Colorado recruit, had not run in the Minnesota state meet since her freshman year. Her sophomore season the state meet was canceled due to COVID-19 and last year she was injured. 

Her time bested Emily Covert's state meet course record by 16 seconds. 

Wayzata's five scorers all finished in the top 22 on the way to 39 points. Minnetonka finished second with 89.

The Wayzata boys broke out of the pack of competitive Minnesota teams over the past several weeks and won the state championship with 57 points. Hamza Mohamed's fourth-place finish fronted a group that had four sub-16 performances. 

Aidan Jones from Minneapolis Washburn scored a bit of an upset when he turned the tables on Sam Scott of Minneapolis Southwest and won the boys final in 15:11.7. Scott, who beat Jones at the Section 6AAA race, was second in 15:15.3. Nick Gilles from Minnetonka, last year's champion, was third in 15:27.1.

The Rosemount boys finished second with 98 points and Lakeville North was third with 103.

Team Champions - 

Class AAA - Wayzata boys 57 points, Wayzata girls 39 points - RESULTS

Class AA - Mankato East boys 111 points, St. Paul Highland Park girls 79 points - RESULTS

Class A - Heritage Christain boys 99 points, Perham girls 56 points - RESULTS