Coach ‘I couldn’t be prouder’

United South Central’s Hannah Goemann joined a select group Saturday at the Class A state cross country meet at St. Olaf College in Northfield.

She finished in 14th place in 15 minutes and 22 seconds, and was named All-State for the placing in the top 25.

Goemann’s performance was one of a handful of that have earned All-State honors in the Wells area.

Dating back to Wells-Easton, United South Central, and most recently USC/Alden-Conger records, here have been 14 performances that have earned All-State recognition — eight by boys and six by girls.

Goemann’s 14th place finish is the highest a USC girls runner has ever placed at the state meet.

“I couldn’t be prouder of Hannah,” USC head coach Kent Viesselman said. “She’s been our leader all season, both in practice and in competition. It’s great to see deserving athletes being rewarded for their efforts. There is a tendency at the state meet to go out a little too fast and fade at the end.”

This is the second time the USC runner has competed in the state meet.

Last season, Goemann finished 114th in 17:14.

“She has really matured as an athlete in the past year,” Viesselman said.

Esko sophomore Marisa Shady won the Class A title with a time of 14:45.4.

Adrian won the team championship.