Most high school cross country or track and field athletes dream of qualifying to the state championship meet. Of those who qualify, most only dream of winning a medal. Of those who win a medal, most only dream of winning gold.
Well, Kristin Hansen, while at Okoboji high school, qualified for the state championship meet in both cross country and track and field a total of 16 times. Kristin Hansen Dennis won her share of medals, most of which were gold. Before graduating in 2002, she qualified to state cross country four times, winning 3 state titles. She qualified to state track 12 times, 4 each in the 800, 1500 and 3000 and won 10 state titles. Four of those gold medals came in the 3000. In her 16 state meet races she finished in the top four all 16 times. Fifteen times she was 1st or 2nd and thirteen times she came away as the champion.
Kristin Hansen credits her high school coach Rod Lockey and Okoboji boys’ team member Brad Peter for pushing her and encouraging her to reach for the stars and to get the most out of her ability. Kristin is very strong in her faith and had a great support group in her parents and grandparents who attended all of her meets to cheer for her and her teammates. This faith and support were key ingredients to the formula that led to her greatest accomplishment which was setting over 100 meet records during her career at Okoboji. After graduation, Kristin took her talents to the University of Missouri at Columbia. There she became a Big 12 champion on the Tigers Distance Medley relay, a 7 time All Big 12 selection, a two time regional qualifier in track and a two time national’s qualifier in cross country. Off the track she made the Big 12 Commissioners Honor Roll 10 times, was an 8 time selection to the Academic All Big 12 team before graduating in 2007 and becoming a registered dietitian.