Good evening, everyone.

We're going to call this city council meeting for Monday, November 17th, 2025, to order.

Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for

all.

Uh Class 3A State titled champions from the Blaine uh boys varsity cross-country team.

They are the champions.

Uh, we like to celebrate uh when our community members do something amazing.

Uh what you all did is truly amazing, and we're uh glad that you all could be here uh this evening.

We do have a proclamation for you.

So I'm gonna read it out uh just officially uh recognizing you on behalf of the city, and then uh would love to hear from the coach or the captains or something like that if you all would would like to.

Otherwise you don't have to, but I tell you now so you have a couple minutes to prepare.

All

right, so a proclamation honoring the Blaine High School Boys Cross Country team for capturing the 2025 class 3A state title.

Whereas the Blaine High School Boys Cross Country team is exemplified unparalleled dedication, perseverance, and excellence in the sport of cross-country running.

And whereas on November 1st, 2025, the MSHSL class 3A state tournament was held

at

Le Bosad Golf Course in Falcon Heights, Minnesota.

The team achieved a historic milestone by securing their first ever state championship title with a commanding performance, finishing with 77 points to outpace the second place Wizetta by 25 points,

and

whereas a groundbreaking victory marks the program's inaugural state championship in its history, a testament to years of rigorous training, strategic coaching, and unbreakable team spirit under the guidance of head coaches Sean Everson and Britta Otto, who has instilled in these young athletes the values of discipline and resilience, and whereas the Bingles cross country team had depth and talent, which propelled them to a dominant win on a challenging 5k course.

And whereas the achievement not only brings immense pride to the Blaine community, Noka Enipin School District, and the greater Blaine area, but also inspires current and future student athletes to pursue greatness with heart and determination.

And

whereas the team's success underscores the power of teamwork, hard work, and community support in fostering champions who run not just for victory, but for the joy of the journey.

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the city council of the city of Blaine.

We proudly recognize Blaine High School boys cross-country team as a 2025 class 3A state champions, the program's first ever title, and wholeheartedly celebrate the exceptional talent, relentless determination, and unified spirit of every athlete, coach, and supporter who made this historic victory possible.

Congratulations.

Now we truly appreciate uh that you all are here this evening.

Uh we love the opportunity again to really honor all the hard work.

Uh not just the success, but all the hard work.

As you can tell, probably I am not a runner, uh, but love sports and love what it teaches us uh in those life lessons and uh all the hard work that you all have put in.

It truly is a success.

It truly is an amazing accomplishment, and I hope that this propels you forward in your future.

Coach, I don't know if you'd like to say anything or at least recognize your athletes, but let us know a little something about you and your

team.

All

right.

Yes, no, we want to uh take this opportunity to thank the city council and councilwoman Fleming for reaching out.

Um, it's truly humbling and and very grateful to have this opportunity to have these nine kids recognized um for their you know monumental achievement that that they um achieved a couple weeks ago.

Um so I think I'll just take a moment to kind of introduce and have them stand up and and recognize um who they are.

So we'll start with uh the two alternates.

Uh we have Kaz Pishka, who's a junior this year, and you guys can just go ahead and stand up, and Reese Miller, who is a sophomore this year.

Uh, and then these uh seven runners that uh competed at state.

Uh we'll start with Elijah Thomas, he's just a freshman, uh, one of the fastest freshmen uh in the history of the state league uh meet.

So that was pretty awesome.

Uh next up, we have Austin Metrius, he's a senior uh this year.

Uh then we have Henry Meeberg, who is a sophomore, and uh looking for a couple more years of of greatness out of him.

Uh next up, we have a Larry Burroughs, who is a senior and achieved all state honors at this year's meet.

We have Israel Sullyangaini, uh, who is a junior this year and also gained um all state honors this year.

And then finally in the back there, uh, Dave Meeberg.

Uh, David Nieberg was um

oh I forgot Jack.

Sorry, I knew it was good, because I'm he's behind me back there.

Uh, and so David Meeberg, also all state honors, and Jack Zellmer, who is a senior.

Sorry,

Jack.

That my back turned on him there.

Um, so again, we're super proud.

Um, you know, these nine kids are not just great athletes, but they're great uh students as well.

Um, all of them have tremendous GPAs in the classroom.