Weekend Preview: A Bright New Year

I’m so excited we’re back in action after what seemed like a long lull this year.  Only a few meets are going on, but they’re full of great matchups.  Only 4 weeks until the first sectional tournaments begin, so its time to get serious about those routines and make the most of the remaining time.  Here’s who you can watch this weekend:

Lac Qui Parle Valley Dawson Boyd Invitational: This Friday night event will be at the Dawson-Boyd location and will feature the far west class A event of the weekend.  The host Shadows are having a strong year again and will be keeping a close eye on Montevideo and Yellow Medicine East.  Minnewaska has quietly been placing quite well and will have a good matchup with Canby Minneota. 

Winona Invitational:  The Winhawks will be taking on Wabasha Kellogg, St. Charles, and Lake City in this annual event.  The kick division will be the tightest contested however with several lead changes between these 3 so far this year. 

Goodhue Invitational: The Wildcats host a small class A regional meet, with GFW making the trip over to meet up with Concordia Academy, Hayfield, Triton, Kingsland, and Southland.  I don’t see an obvious favorite or two in this mix, it might be more about who came back from break looking sharp and rested. 

Alexandria Invitational:  The beautiful facility at Alex will be holding their annual super-meet with a big day of AA/AAA and A.  The morning big school meet will showcase Detroit Lakes, Delano, Melrose, and Monticello against 8 other teams.  Class A has a great lineup with Aitkin, Dilworth, Frazee, BOLD, Holy Family, PACT Charter, and Crosby Ironton to name a few.  I’m really interested to see how Holy Family will do against some of the long-standing high-quality programs in class A.  Of course, the Aitkin vs. Frazee rivalry will worth checking out as well. 

Edina Invitational:  The pick of the week for best spectator site will be over at Edina where Maple Grove, Eastview, Chaska, Spring Lake Park, Sauk Rapids Rice, and Brainerd will be on hand from last year’s state roster.  The A/AA division includes popular names from Orono, St. Cloud Tech, Faribault, Marshall, St. Cloud Cathedral, Mound Westonka, Rocori, Benilde St. Margarets, and Sartell.  That’s a mini state tournament right there.  Belle Plaine and Becker should try to make some moves into this top list but that’s not a small task.  There are also some rare (and great) exhibitions from some top college teams here so don’t skip those. 

Henry Sibley Invitational: The other big AAA matchup across town will be at Henry Sibley where the Warriors take on Anoka, Burnsville, Centennial, and St. Michael Albertville along with 8 others.  The afternoon session of A and AA features a great class A meeting of Cannon Falls, Randolph, and ACGC.  The AA event will have a nice mix with Albert Lea coming up to meet Zimmerman, St. Francis, and Richfield.