SPASH Boys Cross Country with Superintendent Attila Weninger. (City-Times photo)

By Donnelly Clare

The SPASH Boys Cross County Monday night took its turn in front of the Stevens Point School Board for a district award from Superintendent Attila Weninger.

“It’s our tradition to recognize individuals and teams that achieve first, second or third place in any category- athletics, activities, in any shape or form,” Weninger said. “This one’s very special, though, because the 2013-14 SPASH Boys Cross Country Team has achieved something that’s pretty much a milestone.”

The SPASH boys won its 10th cross country state championship in November. The team has also won 26 consecutive conference championships.

“Winning doesn’t make us better people,” said Coach Donn Behnke. “It’s the things you do that allow you to win a state title that may very well make you better people. I believe that pretty much sums up our philosophy in our coaching.”

Behnke, who coaches the team with Kevin Hopp, John Ceplina, said his own experience in high school inspired him to continue to greatness.

“The awards are nice, but they wind up in a dusty drawer someplace. It’s the pride of accomplishment that people hold on to for a lifetime. And that’s why I coach today, I had such a great experience in high school of my own,” Behnke said.

The team consists of Isaiah George, Michael Thimmesch, Brad Luetschwager, Derek Franz, Michael Wallace, Tyler Tanko, Evan Hatton, Zach Klesmith, Tom Negaard, Sam Sheibley, Sam Anderson and Derek Cruz.