2000 Cross Country

What a string of CLOSE finishes and so close to being a double winner in cross country. 2000 was the 2nd year in a string of four straight combined championships, and the girls First and Only State Championship. The boys were barely beaten by a very talented Pine Ridge team, and that the boys would avenge the next year (2001) and nip Pine Ridge by 2 points and that same year the Lady Bulldogs were beaten by 5 points by McCook Central. So, if you are doing the math, the boys and girls were beaten in these two years by a combined 7 points, otherwise we would be talking about back to back double championships. The girl’s championship run were led by Kari Schaefer’s 5th place finish and Heather Lingle’s 12th place finish. Rounding out the 2000 championship team were Jessica Fjerstad, Carly Seitz, Megan Blake, Brittany Postma, Brooke Postma, and Kristen Osterberg (four of these eight are in the MHS Hall of Fame). The boys run at the championship were led by Matt Nipe’s 5th place, Grant Jaspers 12th place, and Bradley Placks 13th place finishes. Other team members were Tyler Hansen, Danny Meyer, Paul Hansen, Paul Ebsen, and Bobby Langer. Coaching this talented group of runners were John Collignon, Linda Collignon, and Eric Cummins (all of which are in the MHS Hall of Fame). What a talented group of athletes and coaches.