Leiss has done it all for Midgets

• Meleah Leiss

Press Photo by Royal McGregor Dickinson High senior Meleah Leiss is nervous, but excited for her final cross country meet of her high school career at Heart River Golf Course in Dickinson.

Talk about it

In the previous five cross country seasons, Dickinson High’s Meleah Leiss has seen many changes.

A majority of those changes were on the roster as her father, Shawn, stood at the head coaches’ helm.

“This is my first year without him,” Meleah Leiss said. “It’s been weird I guess. I miss him, but Mousseau does a great job.”

As Leiss entered her senior season, her father stepped down as head coach and James Mousseau, who was an assistant under Shawn for two years, took over the head coaching duties. Mousseau knows Meleah Leiss not only brings valuable points, but a trait seen during practice and meets.

“What’s so invaluable for her is her toughness,” Mousseau said. “I think she gets some of that from her dad. Her dad was my first coach when I started running, so I know he’s really into that mental toughness. She gets that. The younger girls see that and it’s contagious.”

Leiss’ biggest contemplation this season was during the West Region meet on Oct. 13 in Jamestown. She was dealing with a sore knee and wasn’t sure if she was going to run.

Time was ticking down before she had to make her decision. A minute before the girls race started, Leiss decided she would run.

She finished 16th in a time of 16 minutes, 6 seconds.

“I’m definitely glad that I ran,” Leiss said. “I would have never let that down if I didn’t.”

Leiss’ mental toughness has been seen by senior Shelby Stoltz, who finished 19th (16:17) at the West Region meet. Leiss and Stoltz are the only two seniors on the girls team.

“I know I could definitely not do this sport without Meleah,” Stoltz said. “Even during WDA, running with her pushed me that much harder to stay with her. We really like leading the other girls and teaching them the ropes. I think together we’ve taught them a lot of things.”

Leiss said despite performing well at West Region, the Class A state meet is still scary. The Class A girls are the last of four races at the meet, starting at 2:45 p.m. today at Heart River Golf Course in Dickinson.

“I’m still terrified,” Leiss said with a laugh. “It’s a whole new ballpark. You’ve got twice as many runners. The East (Region) has great runners.”

With Leiss committing six years to the cross country team, she realizes that after she crosses the finish line, emotions are going to run high.

“I’m ending a huge chapter in my life,” Leiss said. “Everything has revolved around cross country. It’s going to be tough.”

The next chapter for Leiss could be running collegiately, but she hasn’t made a firm decision. She has been in contact with Dickinson State.

However, Leiss said she’ll relish her final race with her Midget teammates. Mousseau has an idea her best race is to come.

“It’s rewarding for me to see someone who works day-in and day-out and be part of this sport for so long reaping the benefits,” Mousseau said. “Really, she hasn’t run her absolutely best race this year. She knows that. She’s healthy right now.”

PAST STATE CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONS

CLASS A

BOYS

Team

2011 – Bismarck

2010 – Bismarck

2009 – Bismarck

2008 – Bismarck

2007 – Bismarck

2006 – Bismarck

2005 – Bismarck

2004 – Williston

2003 – Fargo South

2002 – Fargo South

2001 – Valley City

2000 – Dickinson

1999 – Fargo South

1998 – Grand Forks Red River

1997 – Jamestown

1996 – Jamestown

1995 – Jamestown

1994 – Jamestown

1993 – Bismarck

1992 – Jamestown

1991 – Jamestown

1990 – West Fargo

1989 – West Fargo

1988 – Jamestown

1987 – Bismarck

1986 – Dickinson

1985 – Fargo South

1984 – Williston

1983 – Mandan

1982 – Mandan

1981 – Mandan

1980 – Williston

1979 – Williston

1978 – Jamestown

1977 – Jamestown

1976 – Minot

1975 – Grand Forks Red River

1974 – Minot

1973 – Grand Forks Red River

1972 – Bismarck

1971 – Bismarck

1970 – Fargo North

1969 – Jamestown

1968 – Bismarck

1967 – Bismarck

1966 – Bismarck

1965 – Fort Yates

1964 – Fort Yates

1963 – Fort Yates

1962 – Fort Yates

1961 – Fargo

Individual

2011 – Jake Leingang, Bismarck

2010 – Jake Leingang, Bismarck

2009 – Christian Brownotter, Bismarck

2009 – Joash Osoro, Bismarck

2007 – Joash Osoro, Bismarck

2006 – Sam Larson, Jamestown

2005 – Sam Larson, Jamestown

2004 – Jory Zunich, Williston

2003 – Jory Zunich, Williston

2002 – Chad Bergan, Valley City

2001 – Chad Bergan, Valley City

2000 – Lee DeKrey, Grand Forks Central

1999 – Andrew Carlson, Fargo South

1998 – Wade Juntunen, Grand Forks Central

1997 – Cory Wiley, Jamestown

1996 – Justin Schweitzer, Jamestown

1995 – Brian McCulley, Fargo South

1994 – Brian McCulley, Fargo South

1993 – Mike Lindquist, Bismarck Century

1992 – Andrew Johannes, Fargo South

1991 – Corey Ihmels, Williston

1990 – Corey Ihmels, Williston

1989 – Corey Ihmels, Williston

1988 – Fred Stoskopf, Mandan

1987 – Matthew Olson, Valley City

1986 – Rob Heen Williston

1985 – Rob Heen Williston

1984 – Blair Holzer, Fargo South

1983 – Jeff Dick, Jamestown

1982 – Jeff Dick, Jamestown

1981 – Tom Kringstad, Bismarck Century

1980 – Jim Herberg, Grand Forks Central

1979 – Jim Herberg, Grand Forks Central

1978 – Nick Gervino, Valley City

1977 – Tim Wheeler, Dickinson

1976 – Cal Utke, Minot

1975 – Bob Newark, Grand Forks Red River

1974 – Jon Morrison, Minot

1973 – Lyle Witham, Minot

1972 – Jon Metropoulous, Bismarck

1971 – Jon Metropoulous, Bismarck

1970 – Bill Watson, Fargo North

1969 – Leon Conitz, Bismarck

1968 – Leon Conitz, Bismarck

1967 – Randy Lussenden, Bismarck

1966 – Casey Ryan, Grand Forks Central

1965 – Wallace Balliet, Fort Yates

1964 – Harold Iron Shields, Fort Yates

1963 – Bob Reitan, LaMoure

1962 – Gene Hebl, LaMoure

1961 – Gary Olson, Oak Grove

GIRLS

Team

2011 – Fargo Davies

2010 – Fargo Davies

2009 – Bismarck

2008 – Bismarck

2007 – Bismarck

2006 – Minot

2005 – Jamestown

2004 – Dickinson

2003 – Dickinson

2002 – Dickinson

2001 – Dickinson

2000 – Dickinson

1999 – Jamestown

1998 – Jamestown

1997 – Jamestown

1996 – Jamestown

1995 – Jamestown

1994 – Minot

1993 – Jamestown

1992 – Jamestown

1991 – Jamestown

1990 – Mandan

1989 – Mandan

1988 – Mandan

1987 – Mandan

1986 – Minot

1985 – Minot

1984 – Bismarck

1983 – Bismarck

1982 – Bismarck

1981 – Bismarck

1980 – Valley City

1979 – Jamestown

Individual

2011 – Tarin Lachowitzer, Fargo Davies

2010 – Tarin Lachowitzer, Fargo Davies

2009 – Tarin Lachowitzer, Fargo South

2008 – Alissa Mears, West Fargo

2007 – Laura Roesler, Fargo South

2006 – Laura Roesler, Fargo South

2005 – Melanie Funke, Minot

2004 – Melanie Funke, Minot

2003 – Kendra Lystad, Fargo South

2002 – Kendra Lystad, Fargo South

2001 – Allison Pritchard, Dickinson

2000 – Penny Splichal, Dickinson

1999 – Penny Splichal, Dickinson

1998 – Jennifer Falk, Jamestown

1997 – Beth Hoge, Bismarck Century

1996 – Jessica Schweitzer, Jamestown

1995 – Heidi Brenden, Minot

1994 – Laurie Fox, Jamestown

1993 – Laurie Fox, Jamestown

1992 – Becki Wells, Dickinson

1991 – Becki Wells, Dickinson

1990 – Jenny Schmeichel, Jamestown

1989 – Robyn Jokumson, Wahpeton

1988 – Julie Hornbacher, Minot

1987 – Robyn Jokumson, Wahpeton

1986 – Jenny Schmeichel, Jamestown

1985 – Tammy Birch, Fargo South

1984 – Tammy Birch, Minot

1983 – Joan Hammeren, Bismarck

1982 – Joan Hammeren, Bismarck

1981 – Joan Hammeren, Bismarck

1980 – Joan Hammeren, Bismarck

1979 – Joan Hammeren, Bismarck

CLASS B

BOYS

Team

2011 – Rugby

2010 – New Town

2009 – Rugby

2008 – New Town

2007 – New Town

2006 – New Town

2005 – New Town

2004 – New Town

2003 – Griggs Country Central

2002 – Ft. Berthold

2001 – Ft. Berthold

2000 – Bowman

1999 – Bowman

1998 – Griggs Country Central

1997 – Griggs Country Central

1996 – Griggs Country Central

1995 – Bowman

1994 – Bowman

1993 – Bowman

1992 – Bowman

1991 – Hazen

1990 – Bowman

1989 – Bowman

1988 – New Town

1987 – Bowman

1986 – New Town

1985 – New Town

1984 – Bowman

1983 – Bowman

1982 – Bowman

1981 – Bowman

1980 – Bowman

1979 – Bowman

1978 – Raleigh St. Gertrude’s

1977 – Raleigh St. Gertrude’s

1976 – Raleigh St. Gertrude’s

1975 – Raleigh St. Gertrude’s

1974 – Raleigh St. Gertrude’s

1973 – New Rockford

1972 – New Rockford

1971 – Raleigh St. Gertrude’s

1970 – Raleigh St. Gertrude’s

1969 – Raleigh St. Gertrude’s

1968 – Litchville

1967 – Tuttle

1966 – Tuttle

Individual

2011 – Ken Wells, Parshall

2010 – Ken Wells, Parshall

2009 – Justin Many Ribs, New Town

2008 – Justin Grinnell, New Town

2007 – Patrick Wolf, New Town

2006 – Patrick Wolf, New Town

2005 – Russell Dixon, New Town

2004 – Russell Dixon, New Town

2003 – Beau Harder, Bowman

2002 – Jeremy Candrian, Killdeer

2001 – James Mousseau, Killdeer

2000 – James Mousseau, Killdeer

1999 – Justin Marsette, Fort Berthold

1998 – Bryan Trautman, Griggs Co. Central

1997 – Bryan Trautman, Griggs Co. Central

1996 – Tyler Silha, Bowman

1995 – Tyler Silha, Bowman

1994 – Scott Schneider, Bowman

1993 – David Eustice, Hazen

1992 – Travis Lambourn, Bowman

1991 – A. J. White Bull, Fort Yates

1990 – Brady Brown Otter, Fort Yates

1989 – Brady Brown Otter, Fort Yates

1988 – Mike Salter, New Town

1987 – Mark Johnson, Bowman

1986 – Syd Lahtinen, New Town

1985 – Syd Lahtinen, New Town

1984 – Frank White Bull, Fort Yates

1983 – Dave Tiffany, Lisbon

1982 – Jaret Baker, New Town

1981 – Brice Stegner, Bowman

1980 – Duane Swanson, Bowman

1979 – Dion Volk, St. Gertrude’s

1978 – Louie Koch, St. Gertrude’s

1977 – Louie Koch, St. Gertrude’s

1976 – Louie Koch, St. Gertrude’s

1975 – Harry Clark, Woodworth

1974 – Steve Wyngarden, Pettibone

1973 – Steve Wyngarden, Pettibone

1972 – Louis Bass, New Rockford

1971 – Myron Burman, Tuttle

1970 – Andy Riehl, St. Gertrude’s

1969 – Andy Riehl, St. Gertrude’s

1968 – Marlin Kluvers, Litchville

1967 – Gordon McGregor, Selfridge

1966 – David Were, Beach

GIRLS

Team

2011 – Hillsboro

2010 – Rugby

2009 – Watford City

2008 – New Town

2007 – Grafton

2006 – Griggs Country Central

2005 – Bowman

2004 – Bowman

2003 – Bowman

2002 – New Town

2001 – Bowman

2000 – Bowman

1999 – Bowman

1998 – Bowman

1997 – Bowman

1996 – Bowman

1995 – Bowman

1994 – Bowman

1993 – Bowman

1992 – Bowman

1991 – Hazen

1990 – Bowman

1989 – Bowman

1988 – Bowman

1987 – Bowman

1986 – Bowman

1985 – Bowman

1984 – Bowman

1983 – Bowman

1982 – Bowman

1981 – Bowman

1980 – Bowman

1979 – Bowman

Individual

2011 – Robyn Essler, Garrison

2010 – Alyssa Anderson, Leeds

2009 – Chandra Yankton, Dunseith

2008 – Sydney Kraft, Rugby

2007 – Lindsay Anderson, Leed/Maddock

2006 – Lindsay Anderson, Leed/Maddock

2005 – Lindsay Anderson, Leed/Maddock

2004 – Krista Anderson, Leed/Maddock

2003 – Lindsay Anderson, Leed/Maddock

2002 – Krista Anderson, Leed/Maddock

2001 – Staci Honeyman, Bowman

2000 – Staci Honeyman, Bowman

1999 – Staci Honeyman, Bowman

1998 – Staci Honeyman, Bowman

1997 – Amber Klein, Hazen

1996 – Becky Bowman, Bowman

1995 – Nikki Nagel, Bowman

1994 – Nikki Nagel, Bowman

1993 – Tanya Fischer, Bowman

1992 – Tanya Fischer, Bowman

1991 – Beth Axtman, Hazen

1990 – Jessica Ackerman, New Rockford

1989 – Lisa Finley, Mandaree

1988 – Kiri Johnson, Bowman

1987 – Kiri Johnson, Bowman

1986 – Kiri Johnson, Bowman

1985 – Jody Ann Fox, White Shield

1984 – Jody Ann Fox, White Shield

1983 – Michelle Vetter, Garrison

1982 – Cynthia Schwartz, New England

1981 – Cynthia Schwartz, New England

1980 – Janell Powell, Bowman

1979 – Vivian Johnson, Reeder

Tags: high school cross country, dickinson midgets, meleah leiss, north dakota class a state cross country meet, sports, preps