Katie Haviland

Katie Haviland Ziola

Athlete — Class of 1981

Katie was a true all-around three sport athlete earning a combined 11 letters in Tennis, Basketball and Track. In addition to starring on the court and track, she was also a natural leader who was selected as team captain in each sport. Katie was also a National Honor Society member and in 1981, she was the obvious choice as Southwest’s scholar athlete Athena Award winner.

While Basketball is where Katie really starred, she was also a key to the SW Tennis team reaching State her junior year as the #1 doubles player. In Track, she ran the 440 and mile relay as well as throwing shot put and discus. But it was Basketball where she dominated as a point guard. In her junior year, she was All-Conference and All-State (1980 MN Sportscaster’s Association) and in her senior year she was again All-Conference and All-State (1981 WCCO).

After high school, Katie lit up the courts at Cornell (IA) playing both guard and forward. After being voted team MVP as a freshman in 1981-1982, she followed that season up with being named Midwest All-Conference her sophomore year (1982-1983). Nearly 35 years later, she can still be found in the Cornell record books top 5 All-Time for most rebounds per game (3rd), most points in a game (5th) and most single game field goals (2nd).

Katie earned her teaching degree from Cornell in Health and Physical Education, K-12 in 1984. She has dedicated her life to early childhood education- owning a licensed child care business since 1989. She has been married to her husband Brad for 33 years. They have 3 adult children, Megan, Kacie, and Sam, son in law Joe, daughter in law Megan, and new grandson Wesley.

Over the years, Katie has been involved in youth ministry through her church having served 20 years as a parent educator, and has participated in numerous volunteer outreaches. She is an outdoor enthusiast and enjoys spending time hiking, biking, kayaking, camping and gardening.

Katie Haviland