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After sending a handful of football players off to different colleges in the fall this year, North Branch High School sent another athlete off in a different direction.

Track and field star Catie Bettendorf signed a letter of intent last week to run track at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

Bettendorf, who is the Vikings' premier hurdler, qualified for the state meet last year as a junior, running the 300-meter hurdles in 47.16 seconds. As a senior this year, Bettendorf is aiming at a return trip to the state meet and a possible place on the medal stand.

"Catie has worked as hard as any athlete we've ever had in our track and field program and North Branch," Head Coach Brian Hasleiet said. "She is one of those people who strives to be the best in everything she does, whether that be in track or more importantly her school work. I am so proud and excited of all of Catie's accomplishments and wish her the best of luck in her academics and in track at UMD next year."

Besides her track and field accolades, Bettendorf is a tennis player and was also awarded North Branch's Triple A Award for athletics, academics and arts.

"I wouldn't be where I am today without the constant support from my coaches," Bettendorf said. "Their encouragement and motivation has strongly influenced my track success. My teammates, especially the other hurdlers, are the reason I looked forward to going to practice everyday and they pushed me to be the best I can."

Bettendorf runs both the 300-meter hurdles as well as the 100-meter hurdles. Hasleiet has also used Bettendorf in some relays this year, most recently the 4x400-meter relay.

The senior said she picked Duluth because she loved the city and it's an "excellent" college. She also noted that the track and field program at UMD is traditionally strong. The Bulldogs had won 11 straight Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference championships up until 2005, when they left the conference. This year, they returned to the NSIC and won the title again.

"I love the track and field program at North Branch, and I will definitely miss practicing and competing with the team. However, I will be thrilled to call myself a Bulldog at UMD and run with their track and field team," Bettendorf said. "I'm very excited to be running there."

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