Chris Gruenhagen, an avid runner, enthusiastic coach and ardent Jackrabbit supporter, was named the 2024 Harvey Mills Friend of Running by Prairie Striders Running Club on Jan. 25.
Gruenhagen, who is the principal of Medary Elementary School, received the Friend of Running plaque from Jacob Mills, grandson of Harvey Mills, following the running of the Prairie Striders Indoor 5K in the Sanford-Jackrabbit Athletic Complex on the South Dakota State University campus.
Gruenhagen, of Brookings, is the 18th recipient of the lifetime achievement award.
Since summer 2008, he has been head boys and girls cross country coach at Brookings High School and was an assistant track and field coach through 2023.
Coach honored by peers, athletes
In 2023, Gruenhagen was named Class AA Area 2/East Boys Cross Country Coach of the Year by the South Dakota Cross Country Track and Field Coaches Association. That year the BHS boys won the Eastern South Dakota meet for the first time since 2013 and placed fifth at the state meet, just three points out of fourth.
In November 2021, Gruenhagen was named by Brooks running company as one of its Inspiring Coaches of the Year. He was nominated by Emily Berzonsky, who was coached by Gruenhagen until she moved away in the middle of her sophomore season. However, he continued to be cheerleader and friend for Berzonsky, who came back to run at SDSU.
In a news release covering the award, Gruenhagen said, Building relationships with our student-athletes is a primary part of our program. Being able to connect with each runner assists in finding what drives them and aids in the ability to push them to find the most out of themselves.
Dave Graves, president of Prairie Striders Running Club, said, Whether coaching elites like Ellie Abraham, Gatorade Cross Country Runner of the Year in 2017, or Addison DeHaven, a two-time cross country All-American, or athletes whose names never make the newspaper, Chris pours his heart into his athletes so they can reach their potential.
He is passionate about running and his athletes, both on the course and outside of athletics.
After earning his bachelors and masters degree at SDSU, Gruenhagen became a physical education teacher at Medary Elementary School. In 2011, he was honored as New Physical Education Teacher of the Year by the South Dakota Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.
Running marks stand out as well
Gruenhagen is one of the original board members of the recently formed Jackrabbit Track and Field Association.
Gruenhagen excelled at Mankato (Minn.) West High School and then at SDSU, first under Paul Danger and then under Rod DeHaven. As a senior Jackrabbit, he won the 1,500 meters at the Howard Wood Dakota Relays with a time of 4:03.62. Also in his senior year he ran the 5K at the Drake Relays in 14:45.70.
Among his accomplishments at Prairie Striders races:
- Jack 15 2019 first place, 1:33:19; 2023 third place;
- Scotty Roberts 5K First place in 2009, 2010, 2012 (course record 15:14), 2013 and 2017; second in 2019.
- Beef and Eggs 5K First place in 2008 (15:14) and 2010 (15:23). He is still a frequent competitor in his favorite race. Four of his finishes make the top 10 list in their respective age group category.
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