Prior Lake, Lakeville South in girls' true team track title hunt

The Lakeville South girls' track team knows what it's like to be crowned the True Team state champion. Prior Lake would like to find out.

The Suburban Conference powers find themselves once again among the favorites to win the nine-team meet Friday and Saturday at Stillwater High School. Lakeville South is the Class 3A defending state champion, while Prior Lake was the runner-up a year ago.

"It's always a goal of our program to qualify for the True Team state meet, so we're excited to have the opportunity to be back again this year and defend our championship," Lakeville South coach Andrew Hilliard said. "Knowing there are some great teams in the meet, our goal is to simply control what we can by competing to the best of our ability."

The Panthers were led by junior Shaina Burns in the Section 1 meet. She won the 300-meter hurdles, long jump and shot put. They also won three of the four relay events.

"Along with some great veterans leading the way, we're hopeful our newcomers can help us repeat last year's magic," Hilliard said.

Prior Lake, like Lakeville South, took first or second in all four relay races in the Section 3 meet. Junior Kasie Vollmer placed first in the shot put and discus.

"We have a pretty deep team, and some dedicated girls," Prior Lake senior captain Elisa Bertoldi said.

"We have been blessed to have Mike McManus as a part of our swimming program for so many years," Apple Valley athletic/activities director Pete Buesgens said. "He is one of the premier coaches in the country and his leadership will be missed."

McManus was inducted into the swimming coaches Hall of Fame in 2009. He was chosen the state's coach of the year four times.

He guided the boys' program to state titles in 1989 and 2001, and led the girls' program to state championships in 1990 and 1994.

• Northfield senior Jake Mathison led his baseball team to a 4-1 week in Missota Conference play. He did not give up an earned run in two victories over Farmington and Red Wing. He also was 7-for-15 at the plate with three doubles and four RBI.