2016 Inductee The 1987 Girls' Cross Country Team

​Kneeling (L to R):  Johanna Miller, Margaret Issac, Renee Vogel, Bernadette Sowers
Standing (L to R):  Nicole Lilli, Laurie Weider, Missie Lowrey, Shelley Cotterill,
​Rachelle Robinson (manager), Kara Rhoades

​Bellevue High School did not have a Team State Championship since the 1944-45 Boys Basketball “Whiz Kids”. That all changed in the 1980’s in a big way!  The Boys Cross Country Teams in 1984 & 1985 went back-to-back as State Champions.  Also in the spring of 1985, the Baseball Team also brought home a State Championship. To round out this great era of Redmen success was the 1987 Girls Cross Country State Championship Team.

The 1987 Girls State Title was Coach Earl Miller’s 3rd State Championship as the Redmen Boys & Girls Cross Country Mentor.  His 1987 Girls C.C. Team was dominant.  They were a perfect 10-0 in their dual meet season.  They placed 2nd at the Tiffin Invitational and finished 1st Place at both the Perrysburg Invitational and Maumee Invitational.  They also ran away with the NOL Meet as all 7 runners placed.  Shelley Cotterill (1st), Margaret Isaac (2nd), Renee Vogel (3rd), Laurie Weider (4th), Missie Lowrey (6th), Bernadette Sowers (8th), and Johanna Miller (20th).  The Lady Redmen then went on to win both District & Regional AAA Championships in back to back weeks.

The Lady Redmen Girls C.C. Team entered the 1987 State Championships not as the favorites.  The favorite team was Upper Arlington who had won the title the past four years, including defeating the Lady Redmen the previous year.  The 1987 team was not satisfied with the runner-up finish the year before.  They dedicated themselves to return and win it all, and by winning the District & Regional Meets the weeks leading up the State Meet, their dedication and hard work was paying off.  They were ready to take on the 4-time defending champions and the rest of the AAA field.

On a cool 50 degree day the Lady Redmen took the course at Scioto Downs Horse Racing Track.  As the gun sounded at 2:05 p.m. the mass of runners were off, struggling and jockeying for position.  The Lady Red held their own out of the gate, maintained their pace, and steadily moved up as the race progressed.  The Lady Redmen were in the hunt for the title.  The Lady Redmen finished strong and were left waiting to hear the results of their outstanding efforts.  Shelley Cotterill led the team with a 5th place finish, followed by Renee Vogel close behind in 9th place.  Missie Lowrey came in 13th place followed by Bernadette Sowers at 23rd place, Laurie Weider in 27th place, Johanna Miller 61st place, and Margaret Isaac 74th place.  They all waited afterwards in what seem like an eternity as the results were being tallied.  Finally, the news broke and the announcement came.  The Bellevue Girls C. C. Team were the 1987 State Champions!  Hugs, tears of joy, and moments of pure happiness set in as the girls eventually took the winners stand as the 1987 AAA State Champions.

Coach Miller and the 1987 Girls Cross Country Team were given a hero’s welcome back into the city that night as the police and fire department paraded them around town.  The entire Bellevue Community showed out in numbers showering the team with support and praise.