True Team State - In Their Own Words

Section 1 Champion - Byron High School

"I have been a part of this program since I was a seventh grader. Since then, we have qualified for TT State for three years. It is a tremendous honor to make it to TT State because it showcases our team's hard work and dedication. In fact, this year we won our section by only 1.5 points. Winning by such a close margin really displays what TT is about, teamwork. If one individual did not compete as they did, we would not have been as successful. One of the things that we are hoping to accomplish at TT State is to continue growing as a team in preparation for the postseason. Each meet you compete in is an opportunity to get better as an individual or as a relay, and we are excited to see what we can do against other teams at TT State!" - Captain Taylor Kreitinger

Section 2 Champion - Luverne High School

"The Cinderella story of the small school that prevailed at the AA Section True Team Meet can only be attributed to a group of people unwilling to give up. The athletes and coaches of the Luverne Girls track team are unbelievably grateful and humbled to be section champions, but we are not done yet. It meant so much to us, after coming in as one of the smallest schools at the meet, to end up on top. Our coaches did a wonderful job putting us each into the perfect spot for success. We had a wonderful day and we will continue to strive for greatness. We show up to meets with the goal to win, not out of cockiness, but instead with the intent to give our best effort every single time we step onto the track. That is our plan for the State Meet as well. Each of our athletes has had individual success in track and field, but to us True Team is not about individual glory. It is about working as hard as you can for the girls that push you every day towards your goals. We train together and compete with each other so we can be better together. You may not love the races you are running at True Team, but I have not heard a single girl on my team complain. They buckle down and give it their all because they want to win, and expect the same from you. That is why I love this team and I believe it is why we have the success we have. Holding each other accountable is very important to us. The Luverne girl's were moved up last year to a section with schools three times our size. This was a tough pill to swallow at first because the competition seemed so daunting. But our coaches believed in us and gave us the courage to dream bigger than we ever had before. Our coaches really deserve the credit for our win. They created a well-rounded, driven team that will never give up. The State Meet is a chance for the Luverne Girls to once again prove we deserve a spot at the table." - Captain Jadyn Anderson

Section 2 Wild Card - Waseca High School

"We have a strong girls team, with a nice nucleus of seniors who know how to compete. Our athletes expect to do well every meet and that drives them to work hard everyday. The girls are really supportive of each other and because of their success are always pushing each other to get better. It's Always a season goal to get to State True Team. It's a great team builder and a way to bring the team together. It's a tough section so we give it our best and hope it's enough. We were fortunate enough last year to bring home some hardware at state and would love to do that again." - Head Coach Dave Abel

Section 4 Champion - The Blake School

"Blake girls team has been a fun and wonderful group that has worked hard this year but over several years to come to this point.  While working hard is a must, the fun and individuals are recognized, the team is what keeps it going.  The senior group of girls has done a wonderful job of leading the way this year and over the years to lead by example of the work needed to succeed.  This is the first year winning a section True Team Meet and competing as a team at True Team State Meet and the team is super excited.  With a strong mix of seniors and younger athletes, the Blake Track Team is on the hunt for the big trophy at True Team State Meet!" - Head Coach Charlie Cracraft

Section 5 Champion - Rocori High School

"The ROCORI Girls Track Team is proud to be a part of the state meet again this season. Our program has emphasized the True Team concept and our team has bought in. We have been fortunate to qualify for this meet for the sixth consecutive season. Each year our captains, Raquel Woods, Carley Kremer, and Maggie Headlee in 2019, come up with a team slogan and we order T-shirts to build unity. This season we feel extremely proud of growing as a team as we had to replace some very strong seniors from the previous season. Our squad is made up of a mixture of upper-class and younger athletes. We only have two seniors on this year's squad. Although the weather doesn't look that great for the upcoming weekend, we are extremely excited to compete." - Head Coaches Jim Meyer & Brad Bauer

"The Monticello Girls track team is excited to return to Stillwater to compete in the 2AA meet.  Our team motto is and always has been TEAM=FAMILY. We look at our squad as a unit and not the individual.  The girls yearly work to carry this team motto with our senior leaders. The goal the past two season is to make a strong attempt to return as a TEAM to True Team State and support each other, as well as other teams in a positive manner.  We enjoy competing against the Mississippi 8 teams and find that all the teams in this conference are class acts that are supportive of each other and want to represent the  M8  conference.  It is a honor to be back as a wildcard bid and the girls will go into it like any other meet: "compete with class, give their best effort at that moment in time,  and  show grace to all ladies competing." - Head Coach Kim Nygaard

"On the first day of practice this season, we set several team goals. They included Granite Ridge Conference Champions, breaking a few school records, and qualifying for State True Team. So far we've accomplished all of those. This is my 25th year coaching track and field, my 20th as Foley's Head Girls Coach. Without a doubt, this is the strongest team I've ever had. Some of these girls have been varsity athletes since 8th grade and are now seniors. This has been a dream for them all along. We have several junior high athletes that played a key role in our success, and to see the dynamic between seniors and seventh graders and all grades in between has been so rewarding. Our 4x400 relay won their event at our section meet, breaking a 25 year old school record in the process. The team pile up at the finish line that followed was amazing. As we waited on the football field for final team results, we did an impromptu performance of the Hokey Pokey. They are just a tremendous bunch of young ladies that know when to work hard, when to support teammates and when to just have fun and enjoy the ride. Qualifying for State True Team this year was such a focus because of our strong senior class. We will lose our top thrower, vaulter and hurdler, top triple jumpers and long jumpers. We also lose five of our seven top sprinters. Thankfully we have some depth and strong underclassmen that have had the benefit of being teammates with the amazing girls that are part of the class of 2019. We are pumped for this competition." - Head Coach Becky Rasmussen

Section 6 Champion - Willmar High School

"Willmar's track teams "hang their hat" on the Minnesota True Team competition.  We look upon section and hopefully advancement to state as the ultimate yearly goal of our total combined program.  From day 1 it is one of our teams' points of emphasis.  I feel our athletes want those spots on the teams that compete in those meets as much as anything.   It also has become a cornerstone to building a "complete" track program where every event/athlete counts.  We are excited that both of our teams are competing again in 2019. Our girls are advancing to True Team for the 10th consecutive year.  The past 3 years we have been state runners-up along with several other top 5 finishes in that time.  We are a pretty balanced team with strength on the track and throws, solid in jumps and vault. Willmar's girls will look for strong showings from Kirah Kessler Gross, Erica Schramm,  and Sami Christoffer in the sprints/jumps, Amel Dayib and Serena Monson in middle distance, Heidi Schmitz and Leah Hanson in distance, Abby Teisinger in the vault and jumps, Jaida Reiman in the hurdles and relays, and Brooke Wittwere and Abby Stark in the throws.  Lleyton Rein could run on 3 relays. We feel this year's team has the potential once again to be a top 5 team with a good chance to be on the podium at day's end." - Head Coach Jerry Popp

Section 7 Champion - Cloquet High School

"When there's a track meet, the whole school knows it. Mainly because our track team is so large that we need three buses to transport all of the kids to a meet and the rest of the school is left desolate due to our absences. When walking through a crowd of our team you'll see huge smiles, people laughing, and the occasional serious face. Our team perfectly balances fun and hard work― we've produced state champions and many collegiate athletes, but we also produce non-competitive lifelong athletes. What our athletes learn in the track program sticks with them forever― at least I know it will for us. Nearly every year at least one athlete goes off to compete in college. Our team has tremendous depth, even without one of our best athletes, we still managed to win our section by a large margin. Everyone rises to each occasion and each year someone comes out of the woodwork and surprises us all. The phrase ¨it takes a village¨ couldn't be more true to Cloquet Track and Field. We run, jump, vault, and hurdle for each other. We run with heart. This passion to give it our absolute all for the sake of the team stems from the friendships and bonds we share with each other. During the last ruthless stretch of the race, whether it be the 100 meter dash or the 3200 meter run, our selfless minds are not focused on personal glory. They are concentrated on the satisfaction that comes with passing one more person to secure another point for the team. We have always been told, girls and boys team alike, every point and every person matters. More often than not, the difference between a winning team and a team that falls short is one or two points. We fight hard to be sure we are the team obtaining these little differences that, in the end, makes all the difference. When we put our minds to winning a meet, you can see and feel the passion radiating from the track. The face of our Lumberjack is proudly displayed on the front of our jerseys while we diligently fight. We run for that exact Lumberjack on the front of our jerseys. We push ourselves and each other to the limit for that Lumberjack. The Lumberjack's squinting expression and dictator-like stare reminds us we have something to prove, expectations to meet, and something to fight for." - Seniors Elise Pickar and Kelly Lorenz

Section 8 Champion - Perham High School

"The Perham girls have had an exciting season covering all of the events well.  We have a nice mix of sprinters-field event-hurdlers and distance runners scoring in multiple events.  We won the Heart O' Lakes Conference for the 3rd year in a row and the Section True Team Title for the 2nd time in our history.  Defending State Pole Vault Champion Ashley Hokanson has set the Section True Team and Conference Pole Vault Records once again. We have dedicated athletes that are multiple sport athletes.  We are looking forward to a great finish to our season." - Head Coach Mike Peterson