Sara, a 1989 Rice Lake High School graduate, earned 7 trips to state in cross country and track. Her school record time of 5:10 in the 1600 meter run (at the state meet in her senior year) still stands after 22 years. In cross-country, she was the Ho’N individual champion twice and runner-up twice. Running against Division I competition at sectionals, she finished in the top 9 in each of her four years, including 4th place finishes in her sophomore and junior years. At the state meet she finished 20th, 19th, and 33rd in fields of up to 150 runners. She was the top finisher in 10 invitational meets and finished 2nd an additional 7 times during her high school career. In track, running the 1600- and 3200-meter races, Sara won 4 individual conference championships and finished second 4 times. She won 3 Division I regional championships, finishing 2nd once. She was sectional runner-up 4 times and earned 4 top 11 finishes at the state meet, including 5th place her senior year. Sara was named Most Valuable Runner in 1986, 87 and 88 and Most Outstanding Athlete in 1987, 88 and 89. She was the Jaycees Athlete of the Year in 1989. She was also a national qualifier in the prestigious Hersey Track Meet as an 11-year-old, and won the 1600 meter run at the 1988 Badger State Games with a time of 5:06. Sara was awarded a full 5-year athletic scholarship to UW-Parkside for cross-country, and indoor and outdoor track before being hit hard by injuries her freshman year when she elected to end her competitive running career.