IT IS THURSDAY, Nov. 1. The girls cross country team is meeting for its last practice of the season, two days before the IHSA Class 1A state meet in Peoria.

During the goal-setting session that typically takes place before a competition, senior Michelle Mehnert creates a challenge for head coach Doug Mynatt: If she could place in the top five at state, she would get to shave his head.

“I didn’t suggest it,” said Mynatt. “Michelle came up with it. She had nothing to lose.”

Two days later at Detweiller Park, Mehnert set both a personal record and a school record by placing third overall with a time of 17 minutes, 58 seconds on the 3-mile course.

The time was a personal best, and her finish was the highest ever by a Uni cross country runner in the state finals. The previous best was Adam Reynolds' fifth-place finish in the 1997 boys finals. Like Mehnert, Reynolds was a highly ranked swimmer as well as a distance runner.

“I remember coming to the realization after the race [that Michelle had won the challenge],” said Mynatt.

The shaving is scheduled to take place today in the senior alcove during lunch. The shaving should be open to the public, although only members of the girls cross country team will be able to participate in the shaving itself.

Interestingly, this is not the first time Mynatt has been a participant in such a challenge. In fact, he has had to shave his head once before.

“It was something I had done with another [swimmer and runner], Adam Reynolds,” said Mynatt. “Our bet was that he had to finish in the top five.”

A year ago, Mehnert placed seventh at state, breaking the Uni record for highest finish by a female cross country runner (15th by Laurel Herendeen in 1991 and 1993).

Although Mynatt's shaved head will likely be hidden under the University of Tennessee hat that has become his trademark, make sure you stop by and see it the next time you are down at Kenney Gym for PE.