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FINAL RANKINGS:
The banner season began way back at the tail end of August, as Maddie Gullickson, Lila Golomb, and Jazleen Malherek-Osorio got their senior campaigns underway with a 1-2-3 finish at the St. Olaf Showcase, where Wayzata leveled the field 27-127. Gullickson and company took care of business again at Metro Under the Lights, outlasting a deep and competitive field once more, this time defeating Minneapolis Southwest, 21-89.
Their first true test of the season came at none other than Roy Griak, where they were set to clash with a Marissa Ferebee-led Pella (Iowa) squad, as well as 41 other competitive programs from across the region. When it was all said and done, the Coyotes prevailed 106-148, putting three girls in the top 20 and all five scorers in the top 50 finishers.
In the weeks leading into the 2025 MSHSL 3A State Championships, it was business as usual, as they racked up wins at the Swain Invitational, the Lake Conference Championships, and a near-perfect showing at their MSHSL Section meet. All three meets were a testament to what the Wayzata program has amounted to, a team that can combine a handful of low-stick finishers with irreplicable depth, creating a valiant cross country machine.
MORE COROS MILESPLIT50: FINAL BOYS XC TEAM RANKINGS
Before taking their talents to frigid and ice-packed NXR Heartland, Wayzata continued its undefeated season with its fourth consecutive MSHSL 3A state championship, led by Gullickson's first-ever cross country state title. There was truly never a doubt, as the now four-time defending champs went 1-5-8-9-14, putting all five scorers ahead of every other team's No. 2 runner.
Despite the less-than-ideal but typical conditions in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Wayzata was crowned regional champions for the fourth year in a row as they took down Sioux Falls Christian (S.D.) 50-87. Gullickson added her name to the growing list of Coyote girls to break the tape at Yankton Trail Park, as their top five all finished within the first 35 girls to cross the line.
Less than two weeks ago, at Nike Cross Nationals on the famed Glendoveer Golf Course, Minnesota's top dogs were challenged by a formidable foe for the first time this season, Niwot (Colo.).
Although it may have taken a bit longer to confirm than most people were hoping for, when it was all said and done, Wayzata had toppled the Colorado power 142-147.
Just as she had all season, Maddie Gullickson was the team's frontrunner as she finished seventh in 17:21.8, as Jazleen Malherek-Osorio (18:23), Alissa Ledman (18:45), Lila Golomb (18:56), and Addison Neitz (18:57) did exactly what they needed to do, finishing 51st, 74th, 88th, and 93rd, respectively.
This marked the second NXN title in Wayzata's storied history, and the first since they accomplished the feat in 2013. Their second win in the meet's 21-year history makes them the third team to win more than one title, joining New York's Fayetteville-Manlius and Saratoga Springs.