Running with Springfield High School alumni, Mitchell Buerkle

This week, we continue our section on Springfield High School (SHS) alumni who went on to compete at the collegiate and professional level. For this second story, we will highlight a former cross country and track standout, Mitchell Buerkle, who recently returned to Southwest Minnesota to continue his career. 

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Mitchell, a 2020 SHS graduate, who competed for five seasons on the Men’s Cross Country Team at Winona State University. He earned his undergraduate degree there in 2024. Mitchell now teaches math at Tracy Area High School, where he coaches cross country, girls basketball, and distance in track. His parents are Mark and Michelle Buerkle, and his siblings are Brendon, a senior at North Dakota Sate University, and Bryan, a senior at SHS. 

A few weeks ago, I reached out to Mitchell and asked him to answer questions about his experiences in high school, college athletics, and life after sports. His responses were meaningful, personalized, and impactful, showing how opportunities and life’s unexplained twists and turns can shape someone’s path. 

When asked who was the most influential person or coach in his athletic career, Mitchell immediately said, “The most influential person in my athletic career had to be my college cross country coach, John ‘Hibs’ Hibshman. Coach Hibs may come across as a bit awkward at first, but he is one of the most impactful mentors I have ever had,” Mitchell shared. “Coach Hibshman believed in my potential even when I was dealing with injuries and setbacks. He cared less about our speed and more about who we would become after our athletic careers ended. 

See complete story in this week's issue of the Springfield Advance-Press.