The White Hawks cross country team completed its season with a gala style celebration at the Gillespie Center.
The team had much to celebrate this season with 10 wins (six for the girls, four for the boys), which is a school record for both teams. Additionally, there were six All-Conference athletes and five honorable mentions. Senior Lance Nemecek was the outright Conference Champion for the WCC East. The girls team advanced to state and finished ninth after being seeded 14th. Nemecek was also an individual state qualifier.
Many team awards were bestowed that evening for both athletic as well as character achievements.
Captains for 2022 were named. Those taking the reins next year are Laura Sunnarborg, Brooke Garlock and Audrey Kirscht for the girls and Charlie Paul, Jacob Trost & Ethan Garlock for the boys.
The completion of the state meet marked the end of the trail for seniors Allison Soule and Lance Nemecek. Soule will continue her athletic pursuits at St. Olaf College. While being recruited and expecting to run in college as well, Nemecek has not yet formally committed to a program for the fall. The team bid farewell to the seniors on the boys team, Josh Engesser, Max Epsky, Owen Paul, Wyatt Carlson and Henry Kluever at the section meet in Dassel-Cokato a week earlier.
MWHS boys cross country team at the end-of-season banquet
MWHS girls cross country team at the end-of-season banquet
Lance Nemecek at the finish of the MSHSL state cross country meet
Laura Sunnarborg and Lance Nemecek – All-State Academic recipients running at the MSHSL State Cross Country Meet
White Hawks girls team at the MSHSL State Cross Country Meet