Pacelli junior Kayla Christopherson is no stranger to running on Minnesota’s biggest stage. But as she prepares to run in her fifth Minnesota Class A State Cross Country Meet in Northfield Saturday, she’s still feeling the nerves.

Christopherson is a three-time All-State runner and she placed sixth in the Class A meet last season, but she knows the biggest meets can bring the most stress.

“The pressure is still there, but I”m still excited. State is a big deal and each year it doesn’t get less exciting,” Christopherson said. “I still want to get on that podium and always want to do better than last year, but getting to state is a success.”

Christopherson had a first hand look at two of the Class A favorites at the Section 1A meet when she finished behind Winona Cotter freshman Grace Ping, who took first with a time of 18:11.9 and her sister Lauren Ping, a Cotter seventh grader, who took second with a time of 19:00.7.

Christopherson, who was battling a cold during the meet, took seventh with a time of 19:54.6. She’s hoping for a better run at the state meet.

“They set a pretty good pace,” Christopherson said of the Pings. “They kind of get out fast and it was difficult to gage how fast I needed to go. State is usually a quick race and you’ve got to get out ahead of everyone. We’re all going to go fast and that’s going to motivate me to get out with the lead group.”

Christopherson was a little more relaxed last season when Pacelli grad Nathan Drees and her teammate Rory Bickler also qualified for state. But this time around she’ll be the only runner representing the Shamrocks.

“It’s going to be a little more pressure with all eyes on me for the race,” Christopherson said.

Once again, Christopherson was thankful for those who helped her along the way this season.

“I’d like to thank my coaches, my parents, my teammates and God,” Christopherson said.

Christopherson will run at 1 p.m. at St. Olaf College in Northfield Saturday. Blooming Prairie senior Alec Ille, who is running in his third straight meet, will run in the Minnesota Class A State boys race at 2 p.m.