By Steve Morris

The North Branch cross country program has a new chain of command this season.

At the varsity level, Brian Hasleiet will replace long-time coach Ward Gilkerson who retired after more than 30 years as coach.

"I am excited to take over," Hasleiet said in a phone interview with the Post Review.

That said, Hasleiet is set to inherit a boys team that qualified for the state meet last fall and a girls team that finished second in the tough North Suburban Conference.

Hasleiet, who is also North Branch's head track and field coach and assistant girls basketball basketball coach, said he is not planning any drastic changes this season, in part because they experienced so much success in recent years.

"I will change a few things around here and there, but nothing major," he said.

Hasleiet is no stranger to the North Branch cross country program. For the past 11 seasons he was Gilkerson's assistant coach and junior varsity coach. His experience and rapport with the student athletes should help ease the transition into the head coach position, he said.

"It should be a smooth transition," he said.

At the high school level, Hasleiet competed in three state cross country meets, finishing 10th, 4th and 6th. From there, he ran at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul for three years.

In a press release, North Branch Activities Director Becky Leuer said she is pleased to turn the cross country program over to the capable hands of Hasleiet.

"Brian has been involved in the program since he came to North Branch and knows the athletes and history of our program. I don't think we could have found anyone more capable of leading this program," she said.

As Hasleiet looks into the upcoming season, keeping the boys and the girls healthy is on top of his list. Last year, some of the top girl runners were out because of injuries, which hurt the team toward the end of the season. Even with the injuries, the girls team still managed to take second place in the North Suburban Conference.

At the junior varsity level and assisting Hasleiet will be Anna Pouliot, who replaces Doniver Ahlm who also retired.

Pouliot is a teacher at the Middle School in North Branch and ran cross country at Orono High School and continued her cross country career in college at Gusatvus Adolphus in St. Peter.

"I loved cross country and am excited to share that passion with the athletes, Pouliot said.

The last addition to program is Sara Gibbs who will lead the middle school team.

The new science teacher said she is excited to be part of the Viking cross country program.

"I was in cross country and track throughout high school in Fairmont. I am excited to be a part of the Vikings cross-country program."

Cross Country for grades 7-12 begins on Aug. 13. All athletes and parents interested in cross country should attend the information meeting on Aug. 7 at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium.