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girls cross country team

White Hawks Cross Country Celebrates 2021 Season

By Lawrence Nemecek, 11/18/21, 10:45AM CST

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The White Hawks cross country team completed its season with a gala style celebration at the Gillespie Center.

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.

  • Runners of the Year - Lance Nemecek, Laura Sunnarborg
  • Academic All-State - Lance Nemecek, Laura Sunnarborg
  • Rookies of the Year - Liam Grant, Mari Engesser and Sophia Engesser
  • Spirit Award - Henry Kluever, Brooke Garlock and Max Epsky
  • Hard Worker Award – Laura Sunnarborg, Lance Nemecek and Josh Engesser
  • "Danny D" Award (for those unsung heroes/most improved in season) - Brandon Knock and Jacob Trost
  • White Hawk Award (goes to someone very accomplished in several respects) - Emma Andrev 
  • Commitment to Excellence Award (awarded to those most dedicated and disciplined) - Gavin Thelen, Sophia Engesser, Mari Engesser, Emma Andrev, Brooke Garlock, Audrey Kirscht, Charlie Paul, Brandon Knock, Jacob Trost, Max Epsky, Josh Engesser, Allison Soule, Laura Sunnarbork, Lance Nemecek

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. 

boys cross country team

MWHS boys cross country team at the end-of-season banquet

girls cross country team

MWHS girls cross country team at the end-of-season banquet

Lance Nemecek

Lance Nemecek at the finish of the MSHSL state cross country meet

Lance Nemecek and Laura Sunnarborg

Laura Sunnarborg and Lance Nemecek – All-State Academic recipients running at the MSHSL State Cross Country Meet

girls cross country state team

White Hawks girls team at the MSHSL State Cross Country Meet