2016 Section Previews

Continuing in the same vein as the recent state preview, a brief look at each section for the upcoming season:

Section 1
Rochester Century won the section 2015, and should return enough talent to contend for back-to-back section titles. On the other hand, 2015 runner-up Lakeville North loses the majority of their varsity squad and will have their hands full attempting to return to the state meet. The team to watch in a wide open section, however, is Lakeville South, who returns the entire varsity squad from 2015's 5th place team.

Top Teams:
1. Lakeville South - 105.99
2. Century - 105.51
3. Red Wing - 104.93
4. Northfield - 104.21
5. Mayo - 103.60

Section 2
Chanhassen and Shakopee finished 1-2 in the section in 2015, and could potentially recreate that finish this year. Both return more than half of their varsity rosters, and have the opportunity to contend for another state berth. Looking to challenge these two teams are Marshall, Chaska, and Buffalo, who each return six of seven from last year's teams. However, Chaska and Buffalo both lose their top individuals from last season, leaving Marshall the favorite to mix up last season's results.

Top Teams:
1. Chanhassen - 105.12
2. Marshall - 104.47
3. Shakopee - 103.64
4. Buffalo - 103.14
5. Chaska - 103.03

Section 3
Section 3 figures to be perhaps the most competitive in the state this year, with the top three teams from last year locked together near the top. Defending section champion Prior Lake is the likely favorite, but Eagan and Rosemount both seem posed to contend for a trip to state, if not the section title. Eastview warrants a mention as a team on the rise, although it remains to be seen if the top three are within the Lightning's reach.

Top  Teams:
1. Prior Lake  - 107.02
2. Eagan - 106.31
3. Rosemount - 106.25
4. Eastview - 105.05
5. Henry Sibley - 103.23

Section 4
If any section were to retain form from 2015, section 4 is probably the most likely do to so. Stillwater and White Bear Lake both lose some scoring members from last year's teams, but both reload well enough to remain favored in 2016. The team that ran closest to the top two in 2015, St. Paul Highland Park, loses its top two scorers and will be hard-pressed to challenge in 2016. They will likely battle Central, Roseville, Cretin-Derham Hall, and Woodbury for the right to pull off an upset at the section meet.

Top Teams:
1. Stillwater - 108.33
2. White Bear Lake - 106.30
3. Central - 103.55
4. Highland Park - 102.65
5. Woodbury - 102.54

Section 5
Section 5 was among the most unpredictable sections at the end of last season, with Centennial and Mounds View ultimately taking the two state qualifying spots. They, along with 2015 4th-placer Maple Grove, figure to fight at the top of a competitive section in 2016. Centennial, returning all seven of their 2015 section champion athletes, figure to be the favorite for the section title and a high finish at the state meet. 2015 6th-placer Blaine also returns all seven, and should be aiming to go even higher in 2016.

Top Teams:
1. Centennial - 109.51
2. Maple Grove - 107.20
3. Mounds View - 106.69
4. Blaine - 104.78
5. STMA - 103.92

Section 6
The most feared section in the state appears to have a more clear-cut top two in 2016 than in recent years. Wayzata and Edina both had the unusual distinction of finishing in the top 15 at NXN last season despite failing to qualify for the state meet here in Minnesota. While both may return to Portland this fall, they are far more likely to do so as state participants. Last year's top two, Hopkins and Washburn, lose many seniors but still figure to field strong teams in 2016. However, strong teams in section 6 often come far short of qualifying for state. They, along with Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, and Armstrong, will do what they can to make things difficult for the two at the top.

Top Teams:
1. Wayzata - 113.92
2. Edina - 112.84
3. Minnetonka - 108.90
4. Hopkins - 108.34
5. Eden Prairie - 105.92

Section 7
Section 7 was a fairly senior-laden section in 2015. While Elk River and Duluth East lose several seniors each, they both return with a chance to repeat their 2015 state berths due to similar graduation-induced damage on many of the teams behind them. Cloquet missed state on a heartbreaking tiebreaker in 2015, but have as good a chance as anybody to win the section in 2016. Forest Lake, 6th in the section in 2015, suffers no such graduation loss and figures to contend in 2016 as well.

Top Teams:
1. Elk River - 104.55
2. Cloquet - 104.44
3. Duluth East - 103.27
4. Forest Lake - 103.17
5. Andover - 101.45

Section 8
A year removed from placing two teams in the top six at the 2015 state meet, section 8 appears to have the strength and depth to again be one of the top sections in the state in 2016. The top teams from 2015, Bemidji and Willmar, lose a few seniors each, while young teams like Detroit Lakes bring back an entire varsity roster to challenge the status quo. The end result is as many as six or seven teams beginning the season with a reasonable shot at state.

Top Teams:
1. Bemidji - 107.43
2. Sartell - 106.23
3. Willmar - 105.92
4. Detroit Lakes - 105.49
5. Alexandria - 104.24