I am not a letter writing person, but I would like to take the time to let others know about two individuals who deserve praise — Bruce Gluf (head coach) and Pete Janiszewski (assistant coach) who together coach the boys’ and girls’ cross country teams in Luverne. All too often we hear only the negative things about sports, athletes and coaches. Bruce and Pete choose instead to be positive role models and mentors to more than 30 boys and girls in our school. Of course I am biased; my oldest daughter has had Bruce as a coach for six years and Pete for three, while my youngest daughter is running her first year under their guidance. If you haven’t been to a cross country meet, you should make the effort to attend one. YES, it IS a spectator sport, and YES, you CAN watch your son or daughter compete one on one and as part of a team in cross country. How many of you can say you know of coaches who cheer for EVERY one of their athletes, regardless of their talent level? In the last two years alone, I have seen Bruce and Peter run from one end of a race course to the other to cheer for their athletes, whether that athlete is a first place finisher or is the very last runner to cross the finish line. These two coaches represent what is good and decent about competition, and they encourage and expect each athlete to push themselves and improve. There is a simple lesson to be learned here — if you give respect to others, you get respect in return. My father, who was an activities director for 35 years, once said about sports: "Twenty years from now, people won’t remember if you were a state champion, but they will remember if you were a decent citizen." While they are coaching their athletes to do their best in each race, Bruce Gluf and Pete Janiszewski are also creating decent citizens. Luverne High School is extremely fortunate to have coaches of this caliber, and much of the growing success of the cross country program in our community is due to their dedication and commitment to our kids. Thank them when you get the chance!Pat and Helen SaumLuverne