The Bulldogs Girls Cross Country team celebrated their season along with the boys team and their families with a potluck dinner, awards and lot of memories.

The team celebrated their return to the Mississippi 8 Conference with their championship trophy and awarded champion t-shirts to all the team members. 

“The teams each had great performances at this meet with Jr. High taking 2nd and JV winning their competition with a perfect score,” said Coach Trish Reimer Kealy. “The varsity girls stepped up to bring home our 6th straight conference championship.”

The previous five championships were from the Granite Ridge Conference.

“We had each of our varsity girls win awards at this meet,” said Reimer Kealy. “This is really special. Our girls had five All Conference and three Honorable Mention All Conference.”

All Conference was achieved by Lexi Dehmer, Alexis Rose, Ella McDonald, Natasha Berthiaume and Dani Nuest. Alexa Voller, Abby Nelson and Adeline Kent were awarded Honorable Mention All Conference.

The team itself received two awards this season, the Gold Award for the Mississippi 8 Conference and the Silver Award from the Minnesota State Coaches Association.

Lexi Dehmer, Callie Doucette, Megan Gregory and Abby Nelson received All Conference Academic awards, and Dehmer was also awarded All State Academic for placing in the top 15 in section competition and having a high GPA. 

This year’s Scholar Athlete was Megan Gregory; the award is given to an athlete who has completed their sophomore year, is a letter winner and has the highest GPA on the team.

Numerous team members received letters this year, including Lexi Dehmer, Callie Doucette, Grace Wilhelm, Grace Gregory, Abby Nelson, Adeline Kent, Bella Duncombe, Dani Nuest, Natasha Berthiaume, Nora Pilarski, Alexis Rose, Alexa Voller, Hannah Dierkes, Ella McDonald and Morgan Vee.

Receiving participation certificates were Selby Dawson, Jess Gruenes, Jaden Kraus, Maddie McDonald, Kayla Gruenes, Regan Hausmann, Raegan Leaders, Olivia Babler, Abi Berning, Alea Briggs, Anikah Hall, Emilia Hansen, Anna Kuklok, MacKenna Smith and Natalie Trenz.

This year’s team captains were Callie Doucette, Lexi Dehmer and Megan Gregory, who handed off their roles to next year’s captains, Megan Gregory, Abby Nelson and Jaden Kraus. Chloe Setrum was the team’s manager.

“We say goodbye to three special seniors this year, Grace Wilhelm, Callie Doucette and Lexi Dehmer,” said Reimer Kealy. “Each of these girls has been with our team since 7th grade and each brings something different to the makeup of the team. They’ve been dedicated, supportive and fun teammates for six years and we’ll really miss them next year.”

Reimer Kealy extended thanks to the coaches she worked with this year, Bonnie Kolbinger, Dustin Weege and Patrick Drury. Thanks was also extended to the parents for their support, Mr. Niemi and Jesse O’Neill from the activities department, school staff, the bus drivers and the Citizen-Tribune for the news coverage.

“Last but not least, we thank Amanda Wilhelm who has been our parent lead for five years,” said Reimer Kealy. “Without her we would all be lost. Looking forward to next fall and the next season!”