Menahga Public School

3 hours ago

2026 UNC Cross Country ~ Awards Banquet
Monday, November 9th💛🙌🖤

Words from Coach Ed Heltunen

"It was fun celebrating the 2026 UNC Cross Country Warriors last evening. We were able to celebrate all the successes we had this year;
4 in row for the varsity girls as conference champs
2 in a row for the junior high boys as conference champs
9 all-conference award winners
1 all-conference honorable mention
1 all-section
1 academic all-state
Team gold academic award for the girls for a GPA over 3.75 and silver for the boys with a GPA over 3.5

Team Awards:
Young Warriors - Aiden Hendrickson and Clara Komppa(both all-conference for junior high and kids to look for in the future)

Most Improved - Waylon Thompson and Avery Oyster(both took big leaps forward this year individually and ended with big PRS at the section meet)

Warrior Award - Avyana Isaacson and Darryl Haverinen(battled through adversity to show up for their teammates)

Newcomer Award - Sadie Schoon(new to the sport and instantly leaped into the sport with both feet)

Captain and Top Dog - Gavin Schreiber(most #1 runner finishes for the boys)

Leadership - Erika Keranen and Nolan Heltunen(both displayed to their fellow teammates how to work hard, show up every day, lead by example, and be a good teammate)

Most Valuable Runner - Anaya Aho(has been an integral part of 3 state teams, leader during the season and off-season, top runner all year, all-section athlete)

This year was a success by any measure. Neither team was able to reach their team goal at the section meet but it did not make the season any less of a success. The girls team continued having great success in both the Park Region conference and section 8A meet and the boys are a team on the rise in the conference taking 3rd this year(5 spots out of 2nd). The boys team is continuing to grow in size and our 5th and 6th grade program had huge numbers this year. The future of our team is great and we look forward to the 2027 UNC Warrior cross country season!

We lose 5 seniors this year..
Erika Keranen - Great team leader, 6 years running cross country, all conference honorable mention, improved every year she ran cross country, and finished with a PR of 21:15(11th all time UNC history).

Avyana Isaacson - Team captain, 2nd year out, all-conference runner, 7th runner on last years 8th place state team, improved her PR by over 1 minute despite battling through an injury, finished with a PR of 21:00(10th all time UNC history).

Anaya Aho - Team Captain, 5 year cross country runner, consummate leader, huge part of 3 state teams and the #3 runner on the 2024 4th place state team, 4 time all-conference runner, 3 time all-section runner, 3 time state runner, 2 time section runner-up, PR of 19:19 which is 3rd all-time in UNC history.

Gavin Schreiber - Team captain, 3 years in cross country, all-conference honorable mention 2025, all-conference 2026, 4 times he was the #1 runner for the boys in 2026, mentor for the boys team, finished with a PR of 18:25 at the conference meet last year.

Nolan Heltunen - Team captain, 4 years in cross country, mileage champ for the boys team by 2x this season, improved all 4 years that he ran(taking 4.5 minutes off his PR from his freshman season), took 1:07 off his PR from last year, showed his teammates what hard work can help you achieve in this sport, finishes with a PR of 19:42 at conference this year.

We will miss these 5 kids immensely. They will be tough shoes to replace but we have a great group of kids coming behind them ready to step up and continue the great example these 5 left behind. They are going to do their darndest to encourage more of their friends to join them as success in this sport takes many things but depth is one key component. So if you know of anyone that could use a little encouragement, let them know the cross country team is looking for more kids next year to join the awesome kids we already have!!
Till next year, Go Warriors, Go Trojans, and Go Braves!!!" 💛🙌🖤

-Coach Ed Heltunen ... See MoreSee Less

Menahga Public School

3 hours ago

It’s official! Today is National signing day!⛳

Congratulations to Sebeka High School senior and UNC Warriors golfer Sofia Pulju!
Sofia signed her National Letter of Intent to continue her golf career at Minnesota State University Moorhead. We’re proud to celebrate this exciting milestone with you, Sofia, and can’t wait to cheer you on as a Dragon!

GO Warriors, & GO Dragons!🎉 ... See MoreSee Less

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