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ADAMS, Minn. — Tate Goergen, the premier Class 1A 800-meter runner in Minnesota over the past two seasons, has officially committed to Kansas State University for track and field. The Southland senior signed his National Letter of Intent on Wednesday, following a verbal commitment made on Sunday, Nov. 1, after a home visit from Kansas State coaches.
Goergen, who also stars in football and basketball, chose the Wildcats over Nebraska and Iowa. He cited the small-town atmosphere of Manhattan, Kansas, and his strong connection with the coaching staff as key factors. "Going to Kansas State, it just felt like home away from home," Goergen said. "Manhattan has a small-town feel. And I'm from Adams, a town of 700 people, so every town is bigger than that. But I also had a great connection with the coaching staff as soon as we met."
On the track, Goergen has been a dominant force. He won the Class 1A 800-meter title the last two years, after finishing second as a freshman. His winning times were 1:55.64 as a sophomore and 1:52.22 last year. His personal best in the event is 1:50.2, set last spring. This season, he has ambitious goals: not only does he want a third consecutive state title, but he also aims to break the Class 1A state meet record of 1:50.92, set by Stewartville's Jason Owen in 1996, and the overall state record of 1:49.69, set by Buffalo's Zach Mellon in 2008.
"My goal for this season is definitely to run sub-1:50," Goergen said. "But by the end of the year I hope to run a 1:48. That would give me the record for all time. I'd also like to get first place at Nike Nationals and drop my times in the mile and the 400."
Beyond the 800, Goergen also claimed the 1,600-meter state title last season with a time of 4:14.57 and finished fifth at Nike Nationals in the 800. He believes Kansas State's track program, known for producing top 800-meter runners, is the ideal place for his continued development. "They are especially good in the 800 where they have brought in some new really good coaches," he said. "That's why I picked them. They have a reputation of producing 800 runners very quickly."
Other Signings
Lourdes senior Ruby DeDamos has committed to St. Cloud State University for track and field, where she will continue her discus throwing career. DeDamos, who transitioned from distance running to the discus, recorded a throw of 121 feet, 4 inches last spring. She aims to surpass 130 feet and qualify for the state tournament this season.
Chatfield volleyball star Cora Bicknese signed with Michigan State, where she is expected to play libero. Lake City had three athletes sign: Gavy Lorenson (basketball) with Minnesota Duluth, Lauryn Stolzenberg (basketball) with North Iowa Area Community College, and Luke Fleming (baseball) with Iowa Western Community College. John Marshall's Abi Tri signed with the University of St. Thomas for cross country and track. Other signings include Plainview-Elgin-Millville's Kadin Hebert (soccer) with Wisconsin-River Falls, Winona Cotter's Alayna Hardy (basketball) with Bemidji State, Kasson-Mantorville's Parker Richards (wrestling) with Minnesota State, Mankato, Mayo's Elliot Myszkowski (basketball) with Jamestown, Dover-Eyota's Mat Matejka (baseball) with Augustana, and Byron's Kayla Stork (basketball) with Southwest Minnesota State, Ashlyn Kelm (soccer) with Bemidji State, and Kaydence Fjerstad (volleyball) with South Dakota State. Chatfield's McKenna Dornack (softball) and Lexi Kivimagi (cross country) will sign with North Dakota State and Valparaiso, respectively, on Nov. 18.
Originally reported by postbulletin.