Edina returns their entire top seven from the squad that placed 16th in 2015. They progressed to enjoy one of the best track seasons of any team in the nation; their top five runners' 3200m and 1600m marks average to 11:08 and 5:03, making them the No. 2 returning team based on track stats. This is a team that relies on its pack, the Hornets boasted a 48-second spread last year to place runners-up at NXN Heartland and a 43-second spread to win the tough Minnesota state championship. Watch out for incoming freshman Morgan Richter, who placed second in the small schools division at the Minnesota state cross country championship last fall and clocked PBs of 10:38 for 3200m and 5:02 for 1600m this spring as an eighth grader.
Probable Top Five
Emily Kompelien JR - 14th at MN state meet 2015, 30th at NXN Heartland 2015, 79th at NXN 2015, 18:25.5 5K XC PB, 10:43.62 3200m PB, 4:53.93 1600m PB
Morgan Richter FR - 2nd at MN state meet 2015, 28th at NXN Heartland 2015, 18:24.4 5K XC PB, 10:38.01 3200m PB, 5:02.59 1600m PB
Maria Rickman SO - 10th at MN state meet 2015, 22nd at NXN Heartland 2015, 156th at NXN 2015, 18:11 5K XC PB, 5:09.28 1600m PB, 2:17.73 800m PB
Amanda Mosborg SR - 18th at MN state meet 2015, 34th at NXN Heartland 2015, 111th at NXN 2015, 18:23.1 5K XC PB, 10:58.23 3200m PB, 5:11.32 1600m PB
Tate Sweeney SR - 41st at MN state meet 2015, 45th at NXN Heartland 2015, 101st at NXN 2015, 18:42.2 5K XC PB, 11:35.94 3200m PB, 5:06.22 1600m PB, 2:13.11 800m PB, 800m state runner-up
Q&A with head coach Matt Gabrielson
How long have you coached at Edina?
This will be my 6th year as head coach with our girls team. I spent five years with the Edina boys as an assistant and three years as an assistant at the University of St. Thomas.
What is your meet schedule this fall?
We have some great, great races on our schedule. We always begin with our annual Alumni Race which is on August 20th this year at Pamela Park inEdina. Our first official race is a 2-mile the next week hosted by Champlin Park HS. The following week we take an overnight trip to Iowa to the Spartan Challenge hosted by Pleasant Valley. There are some great teams there including Pleasant Valley, Naperville North, Iowa City High, Johnston & others. Over the following two weeks we race in Faribault and Lakeville. We have raced at the Griak over the past 5 seasons and we love the atmosphere there. The Chaska Victoria Lions race is cool because it's on a Tuesday at the start of October on a fast course. Our Lake Conference meet is always difficult. Then we have the Section 6AA meet where we will have to earn a spot to the MN State Meet. The Edina XC Club then takes a group to NXR Heartland. The girls really, really had a blast at NXN last year and would love to be back.
How has summer training gone for your team? What do you focus on during the summer months?
The #1 thing is that the girls love being around each other and that makes getting up early in the summer and getting the run and strength training complete much more enjoyable. It has been a very good summer for everyone. I run with the girls as much as I can, and something I have noticed this year is how much they have grown over the years in terms of running more comfortably at faster paces. We have built up our ability to train at an optimal volume, done some long runs, some short hills sprints, some cross training, some threshold work, and some runs on a variety of surfaces. We have a four day summer camp with the boys team at Camp Chi Rho in Annandale. This year we had 91 kids attend. We have a lot of fun running on the hilly, country roads, having some friendly competitions, eating FANTASTIC camp food, staying in some rustic cabins, hanging out with our friends, playing ultimate frisbee, swimming, avoiding bats or chipmunks in the cabins and generally setting a good tone for the upcoming season. Check out the camp video.
Which athletes do you see as the probable top five this season?
The depth of this team is unbelievable. Honestly, it is impossible to predict the top five at this point. There are about 15 girls who could be running in those spots. We will encourage the girls to approach all of the training and racing with a positive mindset and attitude. First and foremost, it will be important to enjoy the racing experience and take advantage of being a part of a fantastic group of strong, confident, amazing young women (and one gregarious gentleman).
Who are your team captains or leaders and what stands out about them as examples for the rest of their teammates?
I cannot say enough wonderful things about this senior class. We have a number of wily veterans on this team. This will be the sixth year of cross country for each of our four team captains: Brynn Liabraaten, Amanda Mosborg, Hannah Mitchell and Tate Sweeney. Anna Hage has also been out for six years and Ellen O'Neill five. The four captains have all been on the state championship team and NXN team (Ellen also on the NXN team). They each have their own unique personality and bring something very special to the team. Hannah's the stats geek, Tate is more of our vocal leader, Amanda is a workhorse and the silent assassin and Brynn's work ethic is infectious. All are dedicated to success and creating a fun atmosphere knowing that it's time to get to work when necessary. They are the best of friends as well and we are all going to miss having them around after this season. They have spearheaded our culture of understanding; meaning putting in work outside of the season and developing the mindset that we earn every bit of our success. I believe this has carried over to the other endurance sports they participate in including nordic skiing in the winter and track in the spring. The success in those two sports has grown as well. They are also confident young women and care about other people. They have wonderful parents and families as well. Honestly, I don't think a team could have better seniors and captains.
Who are some new faces who will make an impact on your team this year? (i.e. freshmen, transfers, runners who have improved a lot)
We have a lot of young girls who are ready to carry the torch that our senior class has lit pretty brightly. I am excited to have Julianne Logan and Sadie and Liesl Schreiner healthy. Anna Hage had a breakthrough track season last spring. I really look forward to seeing what Emily Kompelien and Maria Rickman can accomplish this year after being two of our top runners last year. Morgan Richter who ran 10:38 and 5:02 while at Breck last year will be on our team this year. There are girls like Maddy Lawler or Ellen Pflaster who are such hard workers and are waiting patiently for that breakout season. There are also a lot of young girls who could have breakthrough seasons after being in our middle school program last year. I see a lot of potential in Claire Wagner a 9th grader. Quite honestly, I am EXTREMELY excited to see what all of our 130 girls who make up our varsity, JV, C and middle school teams can do out on the race course.
What are some staple workouts your team does during the season?
We have a number of ways that we do progression runs and I think this has played a large part in our success. We focus heavily on threshold work that is optimal for the high school female athlete. The girls have no trouble doing runs of 10 or 11 miles and running faster on them if necessary. Short hills are mixed in there at times and after specific types of running. Really, the biggest influence on all the workouts is a love of running that the girls have developed over the years.
What will be the biggest reason why your team is successful this season?
Truthfully, it is because they love being on this team and respect each other tremendously as people and teammates. The attitudes are so positive. One thing we will focus time on is growth in our psychology of racing. What is also important about this team is that they love to compete. The races are more important than the training and they understand that. I'm not convinced many college teams even realize that.
What will be the biggest obstacle or challenge facing your team this season?
I think it is always a challenge for high level high school cross country runners to balance academics, athletics and a social life all the while getting enough sleep and taking care of themselves physically, psychologically, emotionally and even spiritually. We strive to bring that balance to the equation.
How would you describe your team's culture?
I think you define culture as learned behavior. These girls have learned to love their teammates, love running, learned what we value with training and learned to race for personal bests. I think that these are things that they will take with them as they move on in their lifetime. I'm hopeful being a part of this team and the culture they have helped establish will always be something they cherish. They have helped create something very, very special here at Edina.
What are your top three goals for the team this fall?
1. Make it an enjoyable experience for all 130 girls on our team and have fun doing so.
2. Race for personal bests and have fun doing so.
3. Defend the Minnesota State Championship and make the podium at NXN and have fun doing so.
Top Returnees by 5K Time from 2015 XC Season
| 8* | Edina High School (MN) | 646 | ||
| 1) Maria Rickman | 18:11.00 | 66 | ||
| 2) Emily Kompelien | 18:25.50 | 112 | ||
| 3) Liesl Schreiner | 18:31.20 | 132 | ||
| 4) Amanda Mosborg | 18:33.10 | 140 | ||
| 5) Tate Sweeney | 18:42.20 | 196 | ||
| Average Time: 18:28.60 Total Time: 1:32:23.00 1-5 Split: 31.20 | ||||
| 6) Hannah Mitchell | 18:59.70 | 312 | ||
| 7) Brynn Liabraaten | 19:08.20 | 378 | ||
*Edina ranks #8 in the nation
Top Returning 3200m Times from 2016 Outdoor Track Season
| 2* | Edina High School (MN) | 449 | ||
| 1) Emily Kompelien | 10:43.62 | 14 | ||
| 2) Sadie Schreiner | 11:02.73 | 60 | ||
| 3) Amanda Mosborg | 11:07.16 | 75 | ||
| 4) Anna Hage | 11:17.06 | 105 | ||
| 5) Hannah Mitchell | 11:34.25 | 195 | ||
| Average Time: 11:08.96 Total Time: 55:44.82 1-5 Split: 50.63 | ||||
| 6) Tate Sweeney | 11:35.94 | 206 | ||
| 7) Brynn Liabraaten | 11:44.80 | 271 | ||
*Edina ranks #2 in the nation
Top Returning 1600m Times from 2016 Outdoor Track Season
| 2* | Edina High School (MN) | 292 | ||
| 1) Emily Kompelien | 4:53.93 | 9 | ||
| 2) Sadie Schreiner | 5:01.76 | 38 | ||
| 3) Tate Sweeney | 5:06.22 | 71 | ||
| 4) Hannah Mitchell | 5:06.26 | 72 | ||
| 5) Maria Rickman | 5:09.28 | 102 | ||
| Average Time: 5:03.49 Total Time: 25:17.45 1-5 Split: 15.35 | ||||
| 6) Amanda Mosborg | 5:11.32 | 119 | ||
| 7) Anna Hage | 5:13.00 | 137 | ||
*Edina ranks #2 in the nation
The top returning times were generated using the MileSplit XC Team Scores calculator found here. Teams are scored against every team in the nation.