Big 8 back at state

Published 8:39 am Tuesday, November 2, 2010

lbert Lea’s Chrissy Monson (701) and Bailey Thompson (702) lead a pack of runners at the Section 1AA cross country meet. Monson won the event and advanced to the state meet. -- Bryce Gaudian/for the Tribune A

Albert Lea’s Chrissy Monson is going back to the girls’ state cross country meet — but so are eight of last year’s top 10 finishers, including defending champion Maria Hauger, of Shakopee, according to a press release issued by the Minnesota State High School League.

Hauger won last year’s meet in 14 minutes and 40.8 seconds. Monson finished 12th in 15:13.6.

Other top 10 returners include: Alexandria junior Jamie Piepenburg, third; Eden Prairie senior Megan Platner, fifth; Monticello junior Erica Seidenkranz, sixth; Andover sophomore Nicole Heitzman, seventh; Elk River senior Abbi Aspengren, eighth; Champlin Park sophomore Cassidy Soli, ninth; and Monticello ninth-grader Amber Seidenkranz, 10th.

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Monson is currently ranked the No. 12 Class AA girls’ cross country runner in the state in the latest coaches poll, and Hauger is ranked No. 1.

The Class AA girls’ race begins at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Olaf College in Northfield.