McCalla has Historic Cross Country Season for Menomonie

Lauren McCalla on the podium as the WIAA D1 State Champion / photo by Karl Palmer

With a phenomenal cross country season capped by a record-breaking performance at the WIAA state meet, Menomonie High School senior Lauren McCalla has secured her place as the most accomplished runner in school history. 

McCalla dominated the season. She opened the year with a first-place finish at the Husky Invitational (17:52.5) and followed with a win at the Menomonie Relays (17:44.4). At the Marshfield Nightfall Classic, she tied the school record (17:32.19) held by Bella Jacobsen, who has been a top cross country runner for the Wisconsin Badgers the past four years. The only race McCalla did not win was the prestigious Roy Griak Invitational at the University of Minnesota. She placed fourth in the Championship division, competing against the top runners from across the Midwest.

Approaching the final hill at the WIAA D1 State Meet / Photo by Joel Anderson Photography

At the Old Abe Invitational, McCalla finished in an incredible 16:52.0, the fastest girls' 5K ever recorded in Wisconsin. She continued her winning streak with a first-place finish, and record, at the BRC Championship meet (17:08.4) and advanced through sectionals with a time of 17:15.3 before claiming the state title.

On November 1, McCalla led from start to finish and captured the WIAA Division 1 Cross Country state title in a time of 17:26.4, breaking the Division 1 record by 18 seconds and the all-division record by 12 seconds. 

“Finishing that race was crazy. It finishes on a hill,” said McCalla. “It was mentally and physically hard. I just remember pushing and pushing. Winning the state title was a goal I set for myself, and I worked hard for it. I did everything I could to make it happen.”

While the name McCalla may not be familiar to locals, the name Hatfield certainly is. McCalla is the daughter of Karen (Hatfield) and Jeff McCalla and the granddaughter of former MHS gym teacher and football coach Gene Hatfield. 

Lauren McCalla with her family, L-R: grandfather Gene Hatfield, brother Connor, and parents Karen and Jeff McCalla / submitted photo

McCalla spent her early years in Menomonie, but the family relocated to Colorado so she could pursue downhill skiing. As a freshman in Colorado, McCalla qualified for state individually in cross country, downhill skiing, and three track events. She earned podium finishes with her two relay teams at the state track meet and was named All-State in downhill skiing. McCalla also helped her ski team win the national title at the High School Downhill Skiing Championship and competed on the U.S. Development Ski Team.

The family returned to Menomonie during the summers and moved back permanently before McCalla’s sophomore year.

In just three years at Menomonie High School, McCalla has built an impressive résumé in both cross country and track. She currently holds nine Menomonie High School track records and one school record in cross country. McCalla has been named All–Big Rivers Conference (BRC) first team nine times and holds three BRC records. She has earned BRC Runner of the Year honors four times—twice in track and twice in cross country.

“Lauren McCalla is, without a doubt, the greatest runner this school has produced,” Menomonie cross country coach Craig Olson said.

McCalla has qualified for the WIAA State Meet six times and has returned with a medal from each appearance. She has earned six All-State honors and was named the Wisconsin State Runner of the Year in 2025. On the national level, McCalla has earned seven All-American awards and qualified for the most prestigious high school cross country event in the US, the Nike Cross Country National Meet.

Lauren McCalla receiving her Runner of the Year award / submitted photo

McCalla is quick to credit girls cross country coach Craig Olson with helping her reach this level. 

“I wouldn’t be where I am without Coach Olson,” said McCalla. “He taught me so many things I didn’t know, how to pace, how to conceptualize racing.”

Lauren McCalla on Signing Day with her parents / submitted photo

With one season of track remaining at Menomonie High School, McCalla is expected to set a few more records before graduating. Following high school, she will attend the University of Washington, where she will compete for the Huskies. Washington is widely regarded as one of the nation’s premier collegiate distance running and track and field programs. 

As her high school career winds down, McCalla’s achievements have already secured her place as the most accomplished runner in Menomonie High School history and one of the top athletes ever produced in the state of Wisconsin.