07/31/2026
One of the hardest parts of coaching is watching athletes leave for college... but it's also one of the greatest joys.
Tonight I had the opportunity to celebrate a few of them. Congratulations to Dylan Gerdes as he begins his journey running cross country and track at the University of Minnesota Duluth, Ella Meriman as she continues her basketball career at Dordt University, Evan Paplow as he as he heads Simpson College after graduating from junior college, and Kelsey Schmidt as she continues her journey as a sophomore at South Dakota State University.
I wish some of my other seniors could have been here too, but distance and life made that difficult. Some of these athletes I've known since middle school, and it's been such a privilege to watch them grow, not just into great athletes, but into incredible young adults.
People often say coaches change athletes' lives, but the truth is they've impacted my life just as much. They've challenged me, taught me, trusted me, and reminded me every day that coaching is about so much more than workouts and races. It's about relationships.
That's one of the reasons I started a Mentorship Program earlier this year. I didn't want the relationship to end after high school. Now seniors, college athletes, and former athletes who are already building careers get to stay connected, encourage one another, and continue growing together. Seeing that community come to life has been incredibly special.
To every athlete I've had the privilege of coaching—thank you for trusting me to be a small part of your journey. Watching you chase your dreams is one of the greatest rewards I could ever ask for.
I'm proud of each one of you, and I can't wait to see what this next chapter brings.
Coach Benson ❤️
