Cross Country
Overview
There is a place for you on the Cross Country Team. We want you on our team - regardless of your ability level.
We have a system, and it works. Our coaches are enthusiastic, love working with young people, and understand how to coach in a way that reaches student athletes and grows their skills. We offer individualized attention regardless of ability. If you work hard and have a good attitude, you will improve. And, we believe you're going to have a lot of fun and make great memories!
Minnehaha Cross Country Team Culture
The cornerstones of our team are passion, unity, hard work, and high expectations and God is in the center. Our team competes with passion for what we do; we do it as one team, with a combined high school and middle school program where everyone is accepted and embraced regardless of speed or ability; we accomplish this through rigorous training in the summer and fall months; we have high goals and a plan to achieve those goals as a framework for excellence; and we do all these things for the glory of God, with our eyes on Him, using the talents he has given us.
Our student athletes are active leaders in the school community. They are in choir, in the Minnehaha Leadership Institute, participate in theater. They are visible in the student body for all of the right reasons. They encourage each other and draw others in a way that creates contagious positivity.
Growing as a Cross Country Runner
We recognize that building specific running skills and stamina is important for success in meets. Our coaches work to develop athlete talents.
However, we believe that the most important skills our Redhawks build are the skills of learning to love what they do and fully investing themselves in what they pursue. These are lifelong skills that can be applied to a career, relationships, and faith.
Coaching Emphasis
Work hard. Have fun. Love each other. This mantra describes our approach, which we envision as a three-pronged cord. The three elements together are strongest when they work together.
Competition Level
Our goal for our youngest runners is that they experience the joy of running. Practices and meets are low pressure team experiences, where student athletes begin to understand the sport and the importance of cheering on teammates.
Our seventh and eighth grade students take ownership of their workouts and their competition preparation. This transitional time prepares them for high school level competition.
In ninth through twelfth grade we have a range of abilities and welcome all student-athletes. Our varsity athletes have big goals and dreams and we work to train and help them achieve them.
Cross Country Running & Faith Integration
God is the center of everything we do. We pray at the beginning of every practice, at parent meetings, and before meets. We have conversations with each other about our faith and we highlight a focus verse each year that helps guide our team throughout the year. As coaches, we ask ourselves - how would Jesus coach?
Cross Country Team Traditions
- Gandy Dancer - An incredible summer tradition! Gandy is an (approximately) 150-mile relay over the course of three days, wherein athletes take turns carrying water from the Mississippi River to Duluth, at which point the water is dumped into Lake Superior, and... success!
- Nike X Regionals in Sioux Falls, SD
- Breakfast runs
- Team bonding activities
- Organized off-season practices
More Details
- Season: Fall (mid-August and runs through mid-November)
- Grade Levels: 4-12
- Competition Levels: Middle School, JV, or Varsity, no prior experience is necessary
- Practice Locations:
Grades 4-6 meet at the Lower School
Grades 7-12 meet at the Upper School - Team Communication: Once you register for this sport, the coach will communicate with student-athletes and parents via email.
- Equipment Requirements & Transportation: Detailed information can be found in the Athletic Team Info document.
- Summer Training: Most days throughout the summer for grades 6-12.
How to Join
Coach
- Kristofor Sauer, Head Boys' and Girls' Coach
- Began Coaching:
Photo Credit: Ezra Victor, '26