As a 1998 graduate of Red River High School, Mike Backes was a standout in both track & field and football. A four-time letter winner in track and a two-time letter winner in football, Mike's athleticism, work ethic, and competitive drive made him one of the most decorated athletes in school history. In track and field, Mike’s senior season was one for the record books. He went undefeated in the triple jump during both the indoor and outdoor seasons, setting meet records at every competition, including the EDC and State meets. He was a five-time State Meet placer, winning both the indoor and outdoor triple jump titles his senior year while setting records in each. His state championship mark of 46'9" set a North Dakota state record that stood for 22 years. His high school best mark of 47 '7.75 remains the Red River school record to this day and the third best performance in North Dakota history. Mike’s triple jump prowess is unmatched, but he also left Red River as its school record holder in the long jump (22 '3.5) and still ranks fourth in school history today. In his career, he consistently racked up points across all jumping events, as well as the 110 hurdles and sprint relays. He was a three-time East Region Champion (twice in the triple jump, once in the high jump) and an eight-time placer at the East Region meet.  His 1998 season resulted in an astonishing 473.75 individual points, a single-season school record over 90 points higher than the next-best RR athlete. In only three seasons of high school track and field, Mike amassed 732 career points, a total that ranks #7 in school history.  On the football field, Mike was a key contributor and earned All-Conference honors as a defensive standout in 1997. His toughness and leadership were instrumental to the Roughriders’ success.   After high school, Mike competed in track and field at the University of North Dakota, where he was named UND’s All-Sports Rookie of the Year in 1999 and served as a two-time team captain. He was an eight-time NCC All-Conference performer in the triple jump, a conference champion, and a six-time NCAA National Championship qualifier. He earned NCAA All-American honors in the triple jump and still holds UND school records in the indoor triple jump, outdoor triple jump, and the 4x110m shuttle hurdle relay.