Girls' head coach Mike Nelson introduced the Patriots' coaching staff and said, "Every one of these coaches is actually a head coach."

He introduced each one separately and said, "Dave Guenther handles the high jump and the pole vault, Brian Kazmierczak does the distance runners and the relays, Jana Lueck, the sprints, relays and junior high; John Derksen, the shot and discus; Gary Wolf helps out wherever he's needed and Terry Swart does the hurdles.

"Most of all, though, as a coaching staff we'd like to thank the athletes. This is a tough sport, you have to be tough-minded and strong-hearted - we battle horrendous weather conditions and injuries. You athletes really did a great job helping with the elementary track and field day and those kids really look up to you as role models," Nelson added.

There were 17 girls who lettered for the Patriots this year. Junior Kirsten Noska was named to the All-Mid-State Conference team and was also named to the All-State team in the triple jump.

Other state participants besides Noska were Tamala Zwart, Kendra Johnson and Vanessa Lane with Kaycee Nelson going as the alternate.

The Special Team Awards went to seventh-grader Vanessa Lane as Rookie of the Year, the MVP track went to Kendra Johnson, the Coach's Award to Tamala Zwart and both the MVP Field and the Most Dedicated went to Noska.

The girls broke two school records this year with the oldest being one set in 1986 in the 4x100m relay.

This year's team of Tamala Zwart, KEndra Johnson, Vanessa Lane and Kirsten Noska ran a time of 51.10 to eclipse the old time of 51.46 set by Kay Rezanka, Geri Fierst, Vicki LaBarre and Terri Harrel.

They also set a new record time in the 4x800m relay with a time of 10:17.83. Jordan Roy, Sydney Johnson, Kylie Beltz and Emily Lueck.

The same team members ran a time of 10:21.13 last year to break the school record.

Foster wins three team Awards

Coach Dave Guenther said, "The boys' team had an unbelievable year and of course was led by senior Clayton Foster who broke two school records, but there were a lot of guys who also did well.

All four of our relay teams won firsts at the subsection meet and the 4x800 team of Silas Lydeen, Kellen Braren, Jacob Headlee and Adison Runberg set a new record in 8:21. They broke the 2007 record of Tony Tueffel, Jacob Dale, Adison Runberg and Clayton Foster.

"Clayton Foster finished second at the State Meet to Moses Hepner of Warroad in both the 800m and 1600m. So Clayton went out in grand style and he broke two school records, including one of his own."

Foster set the 3,200-meter record last year with a time of 10:02.2, but bettered that this year with a new record time of 9:52.40. The other record he broke was in the 800m that Dan Headlee set in 1979 with a time of 1:58.00, but Foster ran a new record time of 1:57.59.

Guenther handed out letters and said something about each athlete.

The Special Team Awards were: Kyle Hart for Most Valuable Field, Jack Parker for the Rookie of the Year with Foster winning three Special Team Awards. Clayton was named Most Valuable Track, the Most Dedicated and the Most Dedicated Runner.

Guenther said, "We've got a special award to hand out to one of our coaches for all the hard work he's done for us, but he won't be back, as he's moving to Colorado, but he gets a special Coach's Appreciation Award. We're all going to miss him, but we wish him the best in his new endeavor.

Guenther closed the night by giving thanks to his wife, Barb; all the athletes, their parents and everyone who helps with home meets and he said, "We've had quite a few seniors who will be hard to replace, but we've got an excellent bunch of young athletes back, so we'll see you all next year."

Nelson thanked Shari Koslofsky for helping with our home meets and manager Michelle "Frank" Hayes,