Prep Blog: This Weekend's Top Spring Match-Ups

It's been a dreary week. We've had a lot of rain, wind, cloudy skies and cold temperatures, so the last thing we're thinking about is the spring high school sports season.

It's the most challenging time of year for high school administrators. One day's cancellation or postpone means another scheduling headache for another day. But have no fear, the sun will make a return just in time for the weekend. That's also just in time for some major events this weekend on the prep landscape.

Here is a look at some of this weekend's top events and match-ups as we enter the thick of the spring prep sports season.

Boys Golf: Tri-State Invitational

(Edinburgh USA, Friday-Saturday)

Edinburgh USA in Brooklyn Park will be a busy place Friday and Saturday, featuring some of the top high school boys golfers in the upper Midwest. One of the top golf courses in the Twin Cities is the host to the annual Tri-State Invitational. It includes some of the top teams from Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin.

Some of the top Minnesota teams in this year's field include defending state champion Wayzata, White Bear Lake, which took fourth last year and Minnetonka. Three of the top Minnesota players in the field, who were all state tournament participants last year, include Mason Fiddle of White Bear Lake, Ben Frazzini of Wayzata and Ben Sigel of Minnetonka. It's a good test early, and a gauge of what to expect at the state tournament in June.

Track: Hamline Elite Meet (Friday)

If you're looking to get a preview of the State Track and Field Championships in June, Hamline is the place to be Friday night. Klas Field is the annual host for the Hamline Elite Meet, which features the top boys and girls track athletes in Minnesota. Action begins at 5:30 p.m. Friday, and athletes have to qualify for the meet by meeting certain standards established at the start of the season. It's a meet that fuels competition as the best of the best in the state square off in various events.

Friday Baseball: Wayzata (6-0) at Minnetonka (7-1)

Two of the best baseball teams in the Twin Cities meet for an early-season showdown in the west Twin Cities metro Friday night as No. 1-ranked and unbeaten Wayzata hosts No. 3-ranked Minnetonka. The Trojans have won six straight to start the season. They've outscored their last three opponents, Armstrong, Edina and Totino-Grace, by a combined 26-4. The Skippers have won six straight since an early April loss to Champlin Park. Both will be state tournament contenders later this spring.

Softball: Lakeville North Panther Classic

(Aronson Park, Friday-Saturday)

Some of the top softball teams in the Twin Cities will be in action just south of the metro Friday and Saturday for the Lakeville North Panther Classic. All the action takes place at Aronson Park, and at least four ranked teams will be playing. They include No. 4-ranked Woodbury, No. 5-ranked Rogers and No. 9-ranked Lakeville South in Class AAAA. Visitiation, ranked No. 4 in Class AAA, is also participating. The tournament features 16 teams.

Tune into WCCO-TV's High School Sports Rally at about 10:20 p.m. Friday as Mike Max, Frank Vascellaro and David McCoy will have all the action covered.