Skinnyski.com High School Rankings - Week 2

December 25, 2013

Commentary: 

The first set of JNQ races provided some interesting results, though not necessarily adding any clarity...

The JNQs featured freestyle sprints on Saturday, and 5K/10K classical on Sunday.  While the sprints provided a glimpse at some speed improvements, the classical was the better indicator of overall fitness, especially coming after the sprints.  

The boys field had the most surprises, as Zak Ketterson appears to have a number of serious contenders.  The biggest "leaper" was Andrew Egger, who has been competing nicely with Scott Harrison and Sean Cork in conference races, and then raced ahead of both in the JNQ classical event.  Nick Gardner also showed improving form, finishing just seconds behind Egger.  Ketterson's classic time was quite good for the first 5K, making the overall ranking even more difficult.  Scott Harrison gets the nod for number 1, mainly based on consistency, but any of those first six have a case for the top ranking.  Watch for a rebound from Ketterson at Nationals...

The girls JNQ results showed just how strong the current crop of Midwest juniors are, as they placed four skiers in the top 20 of the JNQ classical.  Leading the way, and bumping up to the new number one, Vivian Hett posted a dominating time finishing third overall.  Rocci Wohlk had a great weekend of racing, as she appears to be returning to form.  Mattie Watts demonstrated improved speed work with the freestyle sprint victory on Saturday, and Alayna Sonnesyn is posting very consistent solid numbers.  The top three or four skiers could be switching places a lot this season.

Other notes:

  • Ian Torchia showed great improvement in his classical skills, posting the top junior boys time in Wausau.  If Torchia could race for the State Meet title, he would be ranked first or second.
  • Two removals from the girls rankings as Siena Ellingson (Hopkins) is focusing on biathlon this season, and Briana Paulsen (Eden Prairie) is out with an injury.
  • Watch for some bumps from the Arrowhead as those conferences have had light representation in the results so far this season.

No rankings next week, we'll pick it up again the first week in January ...

Girls Teams

  1. Wayzata
  2. Duluth East
  3. Stillwater
  4. Robbinsdale-Armstrong
  5. Irondale

On the cusp: Mesabi East, Hopkins, Burnsville, Eden Prairie

Boys Teams

  1. Forest Lake
  2. Duluth East
  3. Minneapolis Southwest
  4. Mounds View
  5. Ely

On the cusp: St. Louis Park, Osseo, Stillwater

Girls Individuals

  1. Vivian Hett, Burnsville
  2. Mattie Watts, Irondale
  3. Alayna Sonnesyn, Wayzata
  4. Rocci Wolhk, Forest Lake
  5. Sarah Bezdicek, Osseo
  6. Caroline Brisbois, Roseville
  7. Hannah Rudd, Robbinsdale-Armstrong
  8. Allison Ternes, White Bear Lake
  9. Anna French, Wayzata
  10. Maria Hauer, Little Falls

On the cusp:  Anna Johnson, Mesabi East; Elowyn Pfeiffer, Highland Park; Margie Freed, Eastview; Erin Bianco, Ely; Sophie Schuder, Duluth East; Megan Weaver, Stillwater;  Eryn Stewart, Eden Prairie

Boys Individuals

  1. Scott Harrison, Mound-Westonka
  2. Andrew Egger, Benilde-St.Margaret's
  3. Zak Ketterson, Bloomington Jefferson
  4. Sean Cork, St. Louis Park
  5. Steve Hokanson, Mounds View
  6. Nick Gardner, MPA
  7. Sam Johnson, Mesabi East
  8. Sam Sinkler, Minneapolis Southwest
  9. Tamer Mische-Richter, Bloomington Kennedy
  10. Seth Prigge, Ely

On the cusp:  Leo Hipp, Forest Lake; Jon Delaney, Robbinsdale-Armstrong; Sam Boardman, Park-Woodbury-East Ridge; Jake Ajax, SLP/St.Anthony; Quinn Duffy, Forest Lake; Josh Podpeskar, Eagan

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