Branson’s Cross Country coach Steve Reinertsen interviewed by Cross Country Express. See link below for interview.

http://www.crosscountryexpress.com/2014/10/catching-up-with-branson-school-coach.html

Author’s Note

I could not help but note that former Branson runners were overlooked in the interview and I feel that these exceptional athletes earned the right to be part of Branson’s cross country history.

I took over the Branson cross country program from Steve when he stepped down in 2008. I had the privilege of working with Branson teachers Kristen Villhauer and Hilary Sturtevant for the next 6 years. The girls did not have a complete team at this time and it was a rebuilding year for the boys’ team but we were able to build up the boys and the girls teams over the next 6 years. Each year we had Branson runners qualify for the State Cross Country Championships and during this time we coached 2 of the best runners in Branson history.

In 2003 Liz Gill placed 4th at the D5 State Championship Meet, at the time this was the highest finish by a Branson male or female cross country runner.  Liz went on to compete at the Dl level at Columbia University.  Liz and her 2006 Columbia Cross Country teammates are being inducted into the Columbia Hall of Fame this weekend. In 2008

Steven Iglehart made Branson history when he finished 2nd at the D5 State Championships running the 5km in 15:32 which is the fastest time by a Branson runner and the highest finish by a Branson male runner.The previous best time of 16:49 was run by Alex Varner in 2002.  Steven also competed at the Dl level for Columbia University.

Hilary and I retired from Branson cross country at the end of the 2008 season due to our increasingly busy schedules. It was difficult for us to leave the Branson program as the boys and girls teams were both thriving at the time.

Sarah Dill took over the program in 2009.  Steve Reinertsen returned to coaching in 2010 with an amazing freshman class led by Julia Maxwell and Anna Harleen.

Linda Gill