State Push is Edina Girls Cross Country's Goal

Edina girls cross country senior captain Laura Schmiel has watched her grade’s involvement in the sport grow over the past four years. Along with the growing numbers, she and her senior teammates have developed a deep appreciation for the time the spend running together.

“Some of my best friends are on this team,” Schmiel said. “I spend every day with them for about five months. We talk about everything—we have a lot of fun.”

This fall, the Hornets hope their deep camaraderie can translate into success on the course. Edina ranked fourth in a Section 6AA preseason poll, and with two teams earning spots in the Class AA state meet the Hornets are within striking distance of a state run.

It will just take a little dedication throughout the season.

First-year head coach Matt Gabrielson joins the team after five years as an assistant with Edina’s boys program. Looking up and down the roster, Gabrielson said he sees potential in this year’s group.

“We’ve all kind of meshed and fit in well together,” Gabrielson said. “I think expectations are high, and I think they’re really going to surprise some people this year at the (junior varsity), varsity and middle school levels.”

Along the way, the Hornets must overcome perennial powers Eden Prairie and Wayzata, two teams Edina will see in the Lake Conference and the Section 6AA meet. The Eagles won state last year, and the Trojans placed seventh.

Edina’s senior captains Schmiel, Piper Bain, Caitlin Raasch, Stephanie Kohn, Cate Rudnicki, Elaine Rock, Izy McClure and McKenzie Lee hope to lead the way.

Bain advanced to state individually as a sophomore and junior, and she finished 47th overall a year ago at state, and she said she hopes both she and her team will be there competing come November.

“That would be so cool,” she said. “I think it would be so much fun to go with all my teammates. I think we could do it if we run as a team and trust each other in our races.”

Overcoming the intimidation of a tough conference and a tough section will be half the battle, but Schmiel said she thinks this team can overcome its underdog status and make a run at some of its top competition.

“We want to place a little higher,” she said. “Piper has gone to state a couple times, so we would love to have more people go to state. The big dream is for everyone to go to state as a team.”