Jackson County Central cross country head coach Mary Boyum acknowledged changes to the Huskies coaching lineup in the following letter to her program.
Boyum thanked new JCC High School principal Nate Hanson for his work as Assistant Cross Country Coach. Boyum also announced former and longtime Huskies coach Gary Hildebrandt will return to JCC to fill that assistant role.
Dear JCC Cross Country families,
As our JCC Cross Country program continues to grow, we find ourselves celebrating both an ending and a new beginning. While transitions can be bittersweet, they also provide an opportunity to recognize the people who have helped shape our program and look ahead to the future.
First, I want to extend my sincere gratitude to Coach Nate Hanson for his dedication and service as our Assistant Cross Country Coach.
Nate has been much more than a coach. He has been a mentor, a leader, and a positive influence on every athlete he has worked with. His encouragement, work ethic, and commitment to helping students succeed have made a lasting impact on our program. Whether at practice, on race day, or simply through words of encouragement, Nate consistently demonstrated what it means to put students first.
While we are sad to see Nate step away from coaching cross country, we are incredibly excited for him as he begins his new role as High School Principal at JCC. This opportunity is a reflection of the leadership, integrity, and dedication that so many of us have had the privilege to witness firsthand.
Nate, thank you for investing your time, energy, and heart into our runners and our program. Your impact extends far beyond the finish line. You have helped develop confident, resilient young people, and we know you will continue making a difference in the lives of JCC students in your new role. A sincere Thank You to Nate’s family as well for supporting the time and commitment required to serve our athletes and program.
As we thank Coach Hanson for his service, I am also excited to share news about the future of JCC Cross Country.
Coach Gary Hildebrandt has accepted the position of Assistant Cross Country Coach at JCC. Gary’s passion for the sport, commitment to student-athletes, and decades of coaching experience have made a lasting impact on cross country throughout Minnesota. His dedication to helping runners reach their potential and his enthusiasm for the sport are well known by athletes, coaches, and communities across the state.
I am thrilled to have Gary back at JCC and a part of our CC program. Our athletes will benefit tremendously from Gary’s knowledge, encouragement, and leadership. His presence will strengthen our program and provide our runners with an incredible mentor both on and off the course. Gary’s experience and passion align perfectly with our belief that cross country is about more than performance—it is about developing character, resilience, teamwork, and lifelong growth.
Please join me in thanking Coach Nate Hanson for everything he has done for our cross country family and in welcoming Coach Gary Hildebrandt back to JCC Cross Country. I am excited about the season ahead and look forward to the growth, challenges, and accomplishments our athletes will experience together.
Mark your calendars:
The fall sports and initial team meeting will be held on Monday, August 3rd at 5:30 p.m. in the JCC High School Auditorium.
I look forward to seeing everyone soon as we begin another great season of JCC Cross Country.
Go Huskies!
—
Mary Boyum
JCC High School
Special Education Teacher
Cross Country Coach
Girls Wrestling Coach
Track & Field Coach