2016 Awards Night

The 2016 Belle Plaine Cross-country season came to an end Thursday evening.  Food was fabulous the turn out was terrific and the captains recognized each participant with a certificate of some sort of achievement.

2016 was an amazing season finishing with a trip to the state meet.  The boys JV streak stayed alive.  They have not been beaten by a single A foe in over two seasons.  The Junior High girls defended their MRC championship with a perfect score.  In an incredible JV girls race at the MRC the ladies went 2-14.  Never before have we dominated that race so completely.  The boys varsity had a great season, winning the Mankato East meet, the I90, and the Buck invitational. They also had a strong showing with three all conference runners at the MRC.  The girls had an outstanding season winning the MRC for the 5th consecutive year.  They were runner up at the section 2A meet to the eventual state champions and competed at the state meet to a 13th place finish.

There were many fun and exciting moments this season and it was a pleasure being part of them.

Congratulations to the special award recipients:  Alexa Lenz and John Morrison (Most Tiger Spirit), Emily Nagel and Drew Hastings (Most Improved Runner), Kellen Bergs and Cassie Stolt (Most Dedicated Runner), Emily Berger and Kyle Siemon (Most Valuable Runner), and Teddy Sellnow Cross-country Special Achievement Award.

13th Place Finish!

In the first visit to the state meet since 1978 the Belle Plaine Cross-country team competed to a 13th place finish.  On a glorious morning the ladies went out under control carefully pacing themselves through the first mile.  At the two mile point they focused on whoever they could pass and finished the race giving it their all as they have done for the entire season.  They can be proud of the way they represented the community of Belle Plaine and the cross-country program.

Cassie Stolt had an outstanding run leading the Belle Plaine finishers over the 5000 meter course at St. Olaf in 20:37.  Cassie has had an outstanding year and her durability and experience came through at State.  The only senior on the team came through next, Haley Leger completed the course sprinting down the home stretch to finish in one of her best times of the season 20:57.  Haley has been an outstanding mature presence on the team this year racing with calm and intensity the entire season.  Emily Berger was the third runner at state finishing in 21:02.  Emily is very thoughtful about her racing and has and incredibly competitive instinct.  Fourth for the Tigers was 8th grader Jordyn William crossing the line in 21:15.  In her second season Jordyn has already established herself as a seasoned runner putting in the extra work in the off season.  The youngest member of the squad was next, Malina Koepp had a fabulous race finishing fast in 21:33.  Malina has learned quickly this season and has shown that she is a serious runner.  McKenna Herrmann crossed the finish just behind Koepp in 21:37.  McKenna is a very strong runner and incredibly diligent about her training, she is quickly becoming a highly experience runner.  Lizzy Schmidt finished in 21:43 to round out the squad.  Lizzy has had an amazing first season as a cross-country runner and has brought strength and cognition to the team.

It was very uplifting to see and hear so many Belle Plaine fans come out and support us at the State.  The girls enjoyed the experience and are eager to take another shot against the best in Minnesota.  Thanks to all for their support of the Cross-country program.