Minnesota Cross-Country Section Meets to Begin October 27

High school runners will compete across 24 meets this week to qualify for the state championship in Ham Lake.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Secondary Education

Minnesota Cross-Country Section Meets to Begin October 27

Live Poll

Do you believe current section qualification structures fairly support competitive opportunities for student athletes?

Minnesota high school cross-country teams will compete in 24 section meets from October 27 through October 30, 2026. These events determine which athletes advance to the state championship on November 7.

Why it matters

Qualifying results from these 24 section meets will set the field for the upcoming state championships in Ham Lake. Success at this stage determines the season trajectory for ranked programs across Class 1A and 3A.

The top two teams and six individual runners per section advance to the state tournament. Minnetonka enters the week looking to defend a streak of five consecutive section titles in Class 3A.

The players

MSHSL

The Minnesota State High School League manages athletic and fine arts competition standards for student-athletes across the state.

Minnetonka

A Class 3A cross-country program currently ranked No. 14 and known for securing five consecutive section titles.

Mounds Park Academy

A top-tier Class 1A cross-country team currently holding a No. 2 state ranking.

Nova Classical Academy

A competitive Class 1A cross-country program positioned at No. 3 in the current state rankings.

The details

To qualify for the state championship, athletes must compete in one of 24 scheduled section meets held between October 27 and October 30. Advancement is strictly limited to the top two teams in each race, along with the top six individual runners who are not part of those qualifying teams. This high-stakes format ensures that only the most competitive squads and individual performers move on to the final state meet in Ham Lake.

Section meets take place from October 27 through October 30, 2026.
The MSHSL state championships occur on November 7, 2026.

The Home Front

This week of competition follows the established structure of the MSHSL state championship series, which dictates the advancement path for all member schools. Qualifying for this final meet represents the primary goal for high school athletic programs operating within the state's competitive framework.

Families with student-athletes should confirm the specific race location and start time for their school's section meet. If your student qualifies for the state championship, plan for travel to the Majestic Oaks Golf Club in Ham Lake for the November 7 meet.

The takeaway

The upcoming week of section meets serves as the final qualification hurdle for all Class 1A and 3A runners. Families should check the official MSHSL schedule to confirm the location and start time for their local team's event.