Pulaski News
PULASKI – Pulaski High School senior Annika Linzmeier has accepted a preferred walk-on offer to compete in track and cross-country at Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, a member of the Big Ten Conference.
Linzmeier, daughter of Mark and Peggy Linzmeier, Pulaski, plans to study psychology and kinesiology at Michigan State to train for a career as a sports psychologist.
She has been an avid runner since fifth grade. She caught the bug while training for the Bellin Run in elementary school.
That love of running has brought her much success.
In track, she placed third in the 3,200-meter run at the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) state meet as a sophomore and qualified for state in the event in all of her first three years of high school.
Linzmeier is currently competing in her senior track season.
In cross country, she was honorable mention all-state as a freshman, second team as a sophomore and senior, and first team as a junior.
She placed sixth individually at the WIAA state cross country meet as a junior and helped lead the Pulaski girls cross country team to compete in the state finals in three of her four years.
She earned a spot on the Fox River Classic Conference cross country first team all four years of high school and has been first team in track for her first three years of high school.
She was also named the Northeast Wisconsin Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year by USA Today Network during her junior year.
In addition to her athletic achievements, Linzmeier is a true student athlete and will graduate as valedictorian of the class of 2018.
Linzmeier said many have helped her along the way.
“My coaches, family, and teammates have provided their unconditional support and have always been there to push me to do as well as I possibly can,” she said.
“I could not be more proud of Annika Linzmeier as she embarks upon her next endeavor as a student-athlete at Michigan State University, said PHS cross country and track coach Kim Noe. “She is truly a remarkable individual who I have wholeheartedly loved coaching, supporting, teaching, and cheering for these past four years. The drive, passion, and dedication Annika exudes is rare; there are few student-athletes who exemplify the determination, maturity, and leadership that is required to be a successful collegiate athlete. I am thrilled that I have been blessed to be a part of her journey, and I cannot wait to witness all of her successes at Michigan State.”