Former Niagara High School standout Jamie Vandenberg selected to Wisconsin track Hall of Fame
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NIAGARA, Wis. -- To those that know Jamie Vandenberg, no one will be surprised that a team accomplishment stands out for the former Niagara High School track star.
Vandenberg, who enters the Wisconsin Track Coaches Association Hall of Fame on Saturday, recalled the 2008 season where the Badgers won the M&O Conference championship.
"That was one of my favorite memories from high school track," Vandenberg said of her junior year. "Everyone contributed to fill in events and we ended up winning by one point. I remember waiting for the results and screaming at the top of our lungs when we found out we won. That was for sure the best victory lap I’ve ever taken."
The daughter of Mary and Gary Vandenberg holds five individual school track records. She also ran the 1600 relay (4:05.08) in 2008 with Jamie Skowronek, Ashley Lundin and Liz Butler that established another school mark.
Former Niagara track coach Dan Nett calls the shrine selection "much deserved." She was a three-time team MVP for the Badgers.
"Jamie, while competing in high school, had a college athlete level work ethic," said Nett, now the district administrator at New Holstein. "She was so disciplined with her training and nutrition, which made her so easy to coach. Her attitude, leadership ability and efforts in the classroom were even better. She is loved by her teammates and friends."
The Wisconsin Track Coaches Association Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place at the Marriott West in Madison.
Nett, a former Niagara district administrator and Northern Michigan University football player, says Vandenberg is the "most humble, dominant athlete that I have ever met or coached."
"I had so much fun working with her because she was willing to help the team in any way," said Nett, noting Vandenberg helped the team during her senior year by giving up a race to compete in high jump. "Jamie was overjoyed to see her friends and teammates share in the success which was just as rewarding to her as winning multiple individual state gold medals in the 400 and 800-meter events."
Vandenberg broke state 400 (56.15) and 800-meter dash records in the 2008 meet at La Crosse. The 400-meter standard still stands.
Vandenberg accumulated three firsts in the 400 and two firsts in the 800 in her state meet performances. She was runner-up in the 400 at the 2009 meet.
Anne Pucci got to coach Vandenberg in track only during her freshman year of 2006.
"It was a highlight of my coaching career," said Pucci, who watched Vandenberg run a 57.43 to win the 400-meter dash. "It was obvious she was going to do great things in the sport. Of course, having coached her sister Hollie and her brother Darren, and knowing her parents, I knew the natural talent was there."
Hollie Vandenberg also won a state championship in the 800. Darren was a state runner-up in the 800. Gary Vandenberg won the state mile title at Little Chute High School in 1974.
"Jamie's work ethic was unbelievable," Pucci said. "She never complained or slacked off in her workouts. She gave it her all every day. Because of that attitude, even as a freshman, she was a role model to her teammates. Jamie’s success never went to her head."
Calling Vandenberg as "genuine as they come," Pucci added that the "combination of talent, work ethic, and lack of ego has set Jamie apart."
In addition to the 1600 relay, she also owns school records in the 200-meter dash (26.1), 400 (56.15), 800 (2:13.29), 1600 (5:14.04) and 3200 (12:11.18).
She collected 10 individual titles at four M&O Conference meets. Vandenberg also had two relay titles in the 1600. There was also a second in high jump at the 2009 meet.
Retired Niagara administrator Kerry Grippen said, "Jamie's athletic legacy is only exceeded by her personal qualities and character."
Following a Niagara High School career that also consisted of volleyball and basketball (over 1,000 career points) along with academic honors, she attended the University of Minnesota.
"I think it’s rare to be a part of a community that loves and supports each other the way Niagara does," Vandenberg said. "I am constantly reminded of the sweet blessing it was growing up in this small town.
"Every time I come home I am encouraged by all the wonderful people that shaped me to be who I am today,” she added. “I am forever grateful for all the amazing teachers, coaches, neighbors, family and friends that God has placed in my life. I feel incredibly special to have grown up with the community I did."
With the Golden Gophers, she competed in track and field and cross country through 2014. She was the cross country team captain for two seasons.
She now works for Athletes in Action, a global sports ministry.
"Our organization exists to build spiritual movements with university athletes all over the world through the platform of sport," Vandenberg said. "Our vision is to see a Christ follower on every team, in every sport, and in every nation."
She served in Puerto Rico for two years, "where God showed me my passion for building up men and women and helping them grow spiritually in their understanding of the Lord and in leadership."
Now a full-time missionary at the University of Minnesota, Vandenberg said her responsibility is "to raise up and send out future leaders and laborers for Christ."
"I love my job and feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to use the best hours of my day to teach student athletes about the gospel, how to read their bible, and how to grow in their relationship with Jesus," she said.