Trish Reimer-Kealy is entering her 11th year as the Becker Bulldog cross country head coach and has dutifully been organizing daily practices to get ready for the upcoming season.
Reimer-Kealy has selected two senior girls as the team leaders in Siera Knick and Shannon Sydow. The girls have been in Reimer-Kealy’s program since the seventh grade.
On the boys’ side, she has chosen Caleb Foster, Logan Lahr, Olsen Pancoast, Sam Somrock, Keith Sorenson and Brett Parson as the team leaders. Parson is coming off a two-year hiatus from the sport and looks primed and anxious to make good with the team in 2015.
Reimer-Kealy is being assisted by Dustin Weege and Corrine Steele. Weege has been alongside Reimer-Kealy for the last six years while Steele is entering her first year under the head coach having some experience working with the junior high track team last year.
Student managers are Abby Fingarson and Morgan Youngdahl.
“ The girls are looking to place highly in our conference again this year after earning the conference championship last year,” said Reimer-Kealy of her 2015 squad. “Our boys have some big shoes to fill after Luke Lahr graduated last year, but they are hoping to be somewhere in the middle of the pack. Both teams have some good young potential for our future.”
Reimer-Kealy says she likes to conduct practices and meets in a learning atmosphere. where they work hard but have fun as well.
Tradition and habits are strongly endorsed.
“Some traditions we have are our team pancake breakfast after our first meet,” the head coach said. “The Homecoming football relay run from the opponents’ home town is something too, as well as the spaghetti dinner before the conference meet.”
Reimer-Kealy says she wants her team to be responsible individuals and learn from mistakes.
“They should behave in class and represent our team, school and home in a positive way,” she said. Also, to support their teammates and be respectful of other teams.”
She also stresses being gracious in defeat as well as victory while exuding a quiet confidence.
Last year, Reimer-Kealy had two Becker Bulldog cross country runners named to the St. Cloud Times All Area Cross Country Team for 2014. Those included Lahr — who was named to the team for the second year in a row — and freshman Allie Hendrickson, who made honorable mention for the first time for her incredible season.
Lahr competed at state last year after finishing in seventh place at the Section 8AA cross country meet in Alexandria.
Hendrickson placed 21st overall (15:42.8) and was just three spots out of a trip to the state meet.
Other runners besides Hendrickson to keep an eye out for on the girls side are Lexi Dehmer, Tate Spinner, Jada Rositas and Ellie Schwartz. Juniors include Michaela Allen, Deedra Lawrence, Rositas, Allyna Storms and Alyssa Thielen. Sophomores are Haley Benda, Hendrickson, Jessica Sand, Schwartz, Renee Tripp and Kayden Westin.
Some freshman girls to watch are Caylah Chonsky, Bryanna Edling, Alli Garding, Gabrielle Imm, Victoria Kolbinger, Karly Kowalsky, Spinner and Sydney Stommes. Eighth-graders Reimer-Kealy is counted on are Dehmer, Callie Doucette, Allison Loken, Olivia Mateyka, Cayla Pauman, Laura Pancoast and Grace Wilhelm and seventh-graders are Julia Bengston, Shelby Dawson, Madeline Dawson, Jaden Kraus, Madison McDonald, Abigail Nelson, Trinity Olson-burk, Anna Pancoast and Faith Potter.
For the boys, look for seniors Foster, Logan Lahr, Pancoast, Brett Parson, Somrock and Sorenson to lead the group as well as sophomores Lachlan Lahr, Jonathan Novak, Luke Pappenfus and Erik Parson. Don’t look past freshmen Brendan Potter and Basil Ricker as well as eighth-graders Ethan Baker, Aaron Gregory, Jake Nelson and Blake Soenneker, as well as seventh-graders Jack Budd, Bennett Edling, Wyatt Hiltner, David Myers, Perry Peterson and Cade Stommes.
The first meet is Sept. 3 at Princeton followed by Sept. 10 in Monticello, Sept. 17 in Little Falls, Oct. 1 in Foley, Oct. 6 at home against Zimmerman, Little Falls, Foley, Big Lake, Mora and Spectrum, Oct. 10 in Alexandria, Oct. 13 at Albany and Oct. 20 at Foley.
