photos by TaLeiza Calloway

Far left,  2012 Apollo High School Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee Jennie (Lahr) Friedrich is seen Jan. 21 at the school. Near left, Jennie (far right) gets an engraved plaque before walking to the center of the basketball court at Apollo High School. She was one of five inducted into the high school’s athletic Hall of Fame.

Peggy Lahr was not surprised when she received the call that Apollo High School’s Hall of Fame wanted to honor her daughter, Jennie. The school had been trying to get in contact with the 29-year-old St. Peter resident and third-grade teacher.

Jennie (Lahr) Friedrich was a finalist for induction into the Apollo High School Athletic Hall of Fame. The class of 2000 alumna was one of five inducted Jan. 20 and recognized Jan. 21 before a basketball game between Apollo and St. Cloud Technical High School.

“I wasn’t expecting it,” Peggy Lahr said. “I was very proud.”

Other inductees were Apollo athletes Ron Cooke, Class of 1977; Jessica (Faith) Feda, Class of 1994; Josh Krogman, Class of 2000; and retired coach and activities director Jim Michaud.

From the coordination of travel to the induction ceremony and the setup for the announcement at the basketball game, excitement mounted. Jennie’s father, Norman Lahr, admitted he’s never been through all the festivities, but his daughter being recognized for her talent means a lot.

“I think it’s kind of awesome,” Norman Lahr said.

Jennie humbly agrees.

“I was surprised,” Jennie said. “I questioned it at first, but then I reflected and realized I accomplished a lot through athletics.”

Here’s the proof: At Apollo, she lettered eight times, served as captain on both the swimming and track teams and broke the school’s record in the 1600-meter race. She also ran the 800-meter race at Apollo.

And that was just high school. While attending Northern Michigan University, she qualified for four NCAA championships and earned Division II All-American honors in the mile event. The university did not have a track program until Jennie’s third year of college. With one indoor and two outdoor sessions of eligibility, she qualified for NCAA Nationals all three times, according to her husband Jed Friedrich. He knows every record she set and broke.

“I’m proud of her,” Jed said. “Jennie is super humble and modest. She’s not your typical distance runner.”

Now Jennie runs when she can squeeze it in. She recently completed her master’s degree and is enjoying raising her daughters – 7-month-old Brielle and 3-year-old Keira.

“Being inducted just showed all this hard work has meant something to someone else . . .” Jennie said. “Being a student athlete has really formed me into the person I am today. I can’t imagine my life without athletics in it.”

She hopes her girls pursue athletics, no matter what sport or other outlet it may be.

“I’m just realizing how important it is.”