Seven state meets in a row for Sovil

Another season, another state meet for Casey Sovil.State meet jitters are probably a thing of the past for the Ely junior, who is in Northfield today for her third consecutive appearance in the Minnesota Class A high school girls cross country competition.That makes seven straight seasons that Sovil has qualified for a state meet. The multi-sport standout also reached the state meet in Nordic skiing and track and field in both her ninth-grade and sophomore campaigns.But making it to state isn’t getting old for Sovil, who finished second overall at the Section 7A meet Oct. 27 at Cloquet.She enters her latest state event with a full head of steam and plenty of enthusiasm.“I can’t expect to go,” said Sovil. “I could get sick or not make it. It’s still very exciting.”Sovil has set some high goals for herself at Northfield, where she’ll be the only Timberwolf on the course after racing with her teammates there in 2003 and 2004.The Wolves finished third in the section meet, one spot shy of a team berth, but Sovil’s time of 15 minutes, 56 seconds in the 4,000-meter race beat all but one competitor.And after a 44th-place showing last year, Sovil is primed to move up.“I’d like to get into the top 30,” said Sovil. “And I’d like to get (a time) in the lower 15s.”Under the tutelage of longtime Ely Head Coach Jayne Dusich, Sovil geared up for the state meet challenge during the week, augmenting traditional golf course workouts with some runs on the cinder track at Ely School Stadium.“We did some speed work, some 200s and 400s along with some hills (on the golf course),” said Sovil. “The speed work helps on the last turn when you need to have a kick, and it also helps you get out.”Sovil plans to put her previous experience to work for her today as she returns to the course on the campus of St. Olaf.“It’s different because there’s one big loop instead of two,” said Sovil. “There’s a big trail around the campus and it’s all labeled out. There’s a sign at the mile mark and when there’s 800 meters left there’s a sign that tells you.”The course is different as is the atmosphere.Rather than a typical regular season meet that has a few schools and small crowds, the eyes of the Minnesota cross country scene are watching at Northfield, with hundreds of runners taking part and fans surrounding the course.But that’s nothing new for Sovil. The Ely junior knows exactly what’s in store today.“It makes Ely feel small,” Sovil said of the state meet experience. “I know what to expect. I know the course, and I’m very excited.”