2025 State XC Preview - Class AAA Girls

Introduction

The final race of the Minnesota State Cross Country Championships at Les Bolstad Golf Course brings the Girls Class AAA field to center stage, and while the team favorite is clear, the depth of challengers behind them sets up an intense battle for podium positions. Twelve of last year’s sixteen qualifying teams return, and several of them bring more experience, better depth, and stronger front-running than a year ago. Historically, the Class AAA girls race has seen dominant performances from its champions—Wayzata has won the past three titles by an average of 52 points, and it has been seven years since the margin of victory was under 15 points. But with state title implications and all-state honors at stake, the depth of this year’s field guarantees a high-level race from front to back.

Girls Class AAA Team Preview

Wayzata enters the state meet as the overwhelming favorite and continues to operate on a national level. Ranked inside the top five in the country, the Trojans are seeking their fourth straight Class AAA title and eighth since 2012. Their postseason form has been dominant. They controlled the Roy Griak Invitational against elite regional programs and then delivered a powerful statement at the Section 6AAA Championships, scoring just 16 points despite it possibly being the toughest section in the state. Even with injuries limiting some of their roster this fall, their depth remains unmatched. No team in the field consistently places as many runners inside the top 15 as Wayzata, and while the battle for the team title will likely not feature drama at the front, the race becomes highly competitive immediately after them.

Ranked just behind Wayzata among state teams, St. Michael–Albertville (STMA) returns to state for the 11th straight season. The 2018 state champions finished a surprising seventh last year in a meet where they competed without one of their top scorers, but they have reestablished themselves this fall as a podium contender. STMA finished second to Wayzata at the competitive Lake Conference Championships and did so convincingly, finishing 28 points ahead of Edina. Uniquely, none of their varsity runners are seniors, making them one of the youngest teams in the field. While their ceiling may still be a year away, they have enough postseason experience already to challenge for a runner-up finish.

Forest Lake is a returning powerhouse capable of influencing the final standings. The Rangers finished as state runners-up last season and return senior standout Anna VanAcker, who placed third individually last year. Despite graduating Norah Hushagen, last year’s state champion, Forest Lake still possesses one of the stronger team cores in the meet. Their regular season featured strong wins over top programs, including St. Michael–Albertville at the Steve Hoag Invitational and Mounds View at the Suburban East Conference Championships. Their inconsistency showed at times—most notably at Roy Griak—but their Section 7AAA victory with just 27 points reinforced their potential to return to the podium.

Waconia brings one of the most compelling stories in the field. Last season they were eliminated from state qualification on a heartbreaking section tiebreaker. This year, they returned to Section 2AAA with intent and dominated from start to finish, qualifying for the state meet for the first time since 1999. Ranked fourth entering the state meet, Waconia brings one of the tightest 2–7 spreads of any team in Minnesota, a trait that makes them extremely dangerous in high-traffic races like the state meet. They were also the No. 4 Minnesota team at Roy Griak, reinforcing that their rise is not a section-only success—they can compete at the highest level.

Edina brings championship expectations into every season, and this year is no exception. The Hornets have been one of the few programs able to match Wayzata’s standard over the past decade, winning four large-class state titles since 2012. Ranked third entering the Section 6AAA Championships, they finished behind Wayzata but ahead of strong, ranked programs like Hopkins and Rogers. What makes this year’s Edina team especially compelling is their youth—none of their top six runners are upperclassmen. Despite that, they run with control and late-race composure that reflect excellent coaching and development. They have the necessary depth to compete with STMA and Forest Lake for a top-three finish if they get their front runners positioned early.

Prior Lake made one of the grittiest state-qualifying moves of the year. In a loaded Section 3AAA, the Lakers outlasted Eden Prairie and Chaska by 6 and 9 points in a dramatic finish. Ranked tenth entering the meet, they are making their fifth straight state appearance and have finished inside the top five each of the past four seasons. With five seniors and two juniors in their top seven, they bring one of the most experienced rosters to Les Bolstad. They may not have a low stick to match some of the top programs, but their veteran lineup knows how to navigate postseason racing and won’t be surprised with them moving up late and finishing higher than expected.

Mounds View is a true late-season changer. The Mustangs spent the early fall ranked outside the top 10, but the return of All-State standout Linnea Ousdigian transformed them into serious contenders. Ousdigian not only gives them a low number at the front—she also elevates the confidence and urgency of the entire team. With her back, Mounds View becomes a threat for a breakout performance if their pack can close ranks behind her.

Stillwater remains a consistent presence in the Class AAA championship picture and arrives as one of the most dangerous teams outside the top five. The Ponies won the Section 4AAA title over White Bear Lake and Highland Park and appear to have found peak form in late October. Their strength lies in their ability to move tightly as a team in the middle—a crucial asset in a dense pack race at state. If they get positive contributions from their fourth and fifth runners, they could climb higher than their ranking suggests.

Girls Class AAA Individual Preview

The favorite is Wayzata senior Maddie Gullickson, the last year’s Class AAA state runner-up. Gullickson has broken 18:00 four times this year and twice run 17:30. Her only loss of the season came at Roy Griak—to an out-of-state runner—reinforcing her status as Minnesota’s top distance runner. She is also the defending 1600m and 3200m track champion and has won the 3200m title three years in a row, making her the most accomplished athlete in the field. Few run as composed and in control as Gullickson and it would be tough to see the Wayzata standout get beat on Saturday afternoon.

Blaine freshman Brynlee Wegener has made a major leap this season. She finished 24th at state last year as an 8th grader but now enters as a legitimate top-three threat. She was the second Minnesota Class AAA finisher at Roy Griak and placed 4th at both the 1600m and 3200m at last spring’s state track meet. Her progression across cross country and track indicates she is building toward her best championship performance yet.

It will be tough to challenge Gullickson, but along with Wegener, one of the athletes most capable of is Mackenzie Myran, the 8th grader from St. Michael–Albertville who has emerged as one of the brightest young talents in the state. Myran was the third Minnesota finisher at Griak behind Gullickson and Blaine’s Brynlee Wegener, but she responded by beating Wegener head-to-head at their next meet. Despite her youth, she has shown elite racing instincts, strong finishing ability, and an impressive ability to manage these large race fields.

Wayzata senior Lila Golomb enters as the most intriguing unknown in the field. She missed sections due to injury but was in top form earlier in the season, finishing second in a stacked Metro Invite field and other high-profile invites. She placed 5th at state last year in her first cross country season and owns elite credentials in other sports as well—she is an All-State Nordic skier and ran 2:10 in the 800m to place 4th at state track. We have confirmed she will be racing on Saturday and if fully healthy, she is an immediate podium contender.

Forest Lake senior Anna VanAcker has been one of Minnesota’s most reliable postseason racers. She finished 4th and 3rd at the last two state meets and enters with two of the fastest times in the field this season—17:25 and 17:31. She has matched her conference finish with her state finish each of the last two years, and after winning conference again this season, she is positioned for another top-five finish.

Burnsville senior Carley LaMotte has flown under the radar but enters state undefeated against Minnesota runners this fall. She finished 16th at state last year and 19th in 2023 and brings elite closing speed to championship racing, holding a 2:10 PR in the 800m. She was runner-up in the 1600m at state track and has shown signs this season that she is ready to push into the top tier of Class AAA cross country.

Minnetonka junior Evie Malec is one of the most consistent and underappreciated state championship performers in state history. She has finished 6th, 8th, and 9th in her three state appearances and has run her season-best time at the state meet each of the past three years. Malec defeated Myran earlier this season and won the deep Section 2AAA individual title last week. An elite track runner with championship resolve, she will once again contend inside the top 10.

Monticello senior Isabel Mahoney makes her Class AAA state debut after building a stellar career in Class AA. She is the defending AA state champion in the 3200m, holding a fantastic 10:26 PR. Despite dealing with injuries this cross country season, she still ran 18:24 at sections to qualify individually. Her experience and toughness make her a major factor even without a full season of racing behind her.

Wayzata senior Jazleen Malherek-Osario is often overshadowed by her nationally ranked teammates, but her individual résumé is among the best in Minnesota. She finished 3rd at state in 2023 and 10th last season and is running her fastest times of the fall when it matters—she went 18:05 at the Section 6AAA meet last week and looks ready for another strong state performance.

Mounds View junior Linnea Ousdigian is perhaps the most impactful late-season addition to the field. After missing most of this fall due to injury, she has raced just three times but has dropped her time significantly in each one, culminating in a 17:48 win at the Section 5AAA meet. She finished 4th at state last year and has placed inside the top 10 three straight seasons. If her trajectory continues, she is a top-five threat.

Rounding out the list of top contenders from this deep field are Lauren Lansing, Avery Hess, and Noella Ross. Lansing, a junior from Farmington, has been one of the state’s biggest breakout athletes this fall, winning the Griak Maroon race and breaking 18:00 at Sections last week. Hess, a talented sophomore from Waconia, has delivered one of the most consistent seasons in Class AAA and was among the top Minnesota finishers at Griak. Ross, a senior from Chaska, placed 20th at the state meet last year and has been competitive all season, highlighted by a win at the Metro West Conference Championships. She also owns elite closing speed, proven by her 2:08 state title in the 800 meters last spring, making her a serious late-race threat at Les Bolstad.