Alumni Letter
I have always been impressed with MS’s XC and track programs.
You have helped to make these programs respected throughout the area and
state. I know our success today is partially a result of the standards
the alumni have set over the years. I would like to give the alumni
credit for your part in the success of our program as well as keep you
informed of how our programs are doing currently.
MS XC Website
I try to keep our current runners and alumni informed
through our website. The site is www.ms.k12.il.us/mshs/mxcrosscountry/index
Team Rosters
Meet Schedule
Race Results
Running Links
Alumni Rosters
Alumni Updates
Alumni Race Results
The website is constantly being updated with additions
and corrections to the alumni sites. Please feel free to email me
with any additional information or corrections.
Current Team Updates
Last year our team had one of the most successful teams
since we moved to a Double A school. They qualified for sectionals
for only the second time since our team has been Double A.
Our 2004-05 team is a growing team. We lost eight
seniors last year and are trying to build a team that can replace their
leadership and talent. We are hoping to get as many as 50 runners
out for the 2004-05 season. Most of the runners will be first year
runners.
Cheerleaders and a Pep Band?
I had the opportunity to play two years of football and
two years of cross country in high school. I never understood why
certain sports had such a great support system built in and other sports
did not. In an attempt to make the sport fun for our runners, we
are attempting to add cheerleaders and a pep band to this year’s program.
It is our first year with this so I imagine it will take some time to work
out the kinks, but in the end, I hope it makes it a more enjoyable sport
for the runners and spectators.
Conference Updates
Our conference is a strong for boys cross country.
Our conference is adding Rantoul and Eureka. Teams such as Normal
U-High and Eureka are almost always in the top three teams at state for
Single A. Other strong running schools in our conference include
Olympia and Pontiac.
First Annual “John King” Alumni Race
In order to set up a time where you can meet up with
some of your former teammates, we will be hosting our first annual alumni
race on August 20 at 5:00 pm. The race will only be a one mile race
that will start and end on the high school’s track. This way your
family and friends will be able to support you the entire race. The
race is named in honor of Coach John King who dedicated 30 years of his
life to MS’s XC program. We would really love to see you at the race
whether you run or not. I am sure your old teammates would like to
see you there as well. Please show up a little early so I can have
you fill out a quick survey sheet as I plan to announce a little about
each alumni. Please send me a quick email if you plan to go so I
can keep you well informed of the event.
Support Needed
We are trying to build a program that is extremely successful
and fun for the current runners. If you want to help us, we could
really use your help in many ways. We need volunteers to help at
the home meets.
Home Meets
We currently hold our meets at the Lake of the Woods
course just North of the high school. It is a true cross country
course in that it is a very challenging course with many hills and turns.
Here is a list of tentative meet times and dates:
? Sept 9 @ 4:30 pm
? Sept 14 @ 4:30 pm
? Sept 21 @ 4:30 pm
? Sept 28 @ 4:30 pm
? Oct 9 @ 9:00 am
Please check our website for any changes in times or
dates.
Former Coaches Update
After retirement, Coach John King continues to live in
Mahomet. John is still surrounded by running as he helps with the
boys state track meet.
Coach Bonnie Moxley coaches girls XC and girls track
at MS high school. Her teams continue to dominate the area.
Coach Lisa Klingler continues her coaching career as
an assistant girls track coach at MS high school and has begun her first
year as assistant XC coach at MS jr. high.
Two Former Runners will Compete at Illinois State University
this Year
Wade Rippy will compete as a sprinter/hurdler this year.
He was recruited and given a scholarship to run for ISU. Former teammateTaylor
Sebestik will be joining him as a distance runner. Taylor ran the
second fastest 800 in the school history this spring when he qualified
for state in the 800 with a 1:57.0. Taylor will be running both XC
and track for ISU.
Former Alumni Enjoys Success as a Coach
Grant Iles coaches XC and track at Central HS in Champaign,
IL. Grant has coached his team to be one of the strongest distance
teams in the state. His XC team qualified for state last year after
running a great race in sectionals. Grant also coaches a state qualifying
4 by 800 relay in track this spring.
Where are Your Teammates Now?
Look up where your former teammates are and what they
are up to on our Alumni Updates Webpage. Please fill out your survey
and send it back to me so I can update your profile. This page will
become more complete by the end of Fall, after most of the surveys are
returned.
Donations Accepted
Our team’s budget barely covers the expense of our meet
entry fees. We have to borrow uniforms from the track team.
We have no sweats or other equipment. If you would like to donate
to the team, we would greatly appreciate the following: A frig/freezer,
water coolers, tarps, musical instruments, and any financial donations.
Please Help Us Locate the Following Alumni
I am still trying to find the following alumni.
If you have any information that would help, please email me.
Nick Fields
RUNNERS FROM THE 90’s
Kyle Logue
Andy Beasley
Neil Banwart
Chad Avery
Jeremy Johnson
Chad Beasley
Matt Swiger
Eric Matthews
Josh Clements
Josh Smith
Ben Lynn
Ryan Millikan
Brad James
Richard Helms
Chet Crowley
Brent McDonald
Ryan Hively
David Moore
Curt Walker
Ben Weber
Craig Buckman
Jeff Castor
Joe Huddleston
Troy Seten
John Lewis
Stewart Williams
Grant Hibler
David Gottman
RUNNERS FROM THE 80’s
Scott Reese
Clay Masters
Davin Daniels
Ron Castleman
Mical Davis
Rubin Lerma
Kurt Ewen
Mike Novak
Terry Wilhite
Shawn Wason
Richard Horn
Steve Goebel
Denise Dingee
Lynette Fischer
Lance Neaville
Matt Nelson
Craig Brownfield
RUNNERS FROM THE 70’s
Kenny Rippy
Bruce Brown
Mark Meyers
Marc Brown
Gene Fredrick
John Clinebell
Jeff Clinebell
Jenny Johnson
Brian McDowell
Johnny Black
Bill Hughes
Gary Bottorff
Jeff Bernett
Race Results from Previous Years
I am hoping to compile an accurate history of meet records
for our team. If you have any old meet results, please send me a
copy. My hope is to come up with a top times list for each grade
level of the best runners in the history of MS.
Who are the “Unknown” Runners?
I am compiling an alumni list using MS yearbooks.
Most of the team pictures were taken at the start of the season.
This leads to some inaccurate information since some runners joined the
season after the pictures were taken. Please let me know if you know
of any additional runners that were part of your team, but not in the picture.
I also need help naming the runners that were in the following yearbook
pictures, but were left unnamed. If you know who the unknown runners
are, please let me know.
1981-82 season-8 unknown
1978-79 season-14 unknown
1977-78 season-7 unknown
1976-77 season-10 unknown
1974-75 season-7 unknown
Who were the 1994-95 State Qualifiers?
I know our team made it to state, but I don’t know who
the seven state qualifiers were. Please let me know if you know.
End of the Year Awards Programs
In an attempt to find out who the lettermen were, who
was MVP, most improved and who was actually on the team at the end of the
year, could you please send me copies of your end of the year awards programs?
Contact Information
Please feel free to contact me at
Coach Neal Garrison
302 West State Street
Mahomet, IL 61853
Work (217) 586-4962
ngarrison@ms.k12.il.us
