Skip Weigel

Robert “Skip” Weigel

Athlete Class of 1963

Skip didn't go out for cross country until his junior year; and finished the season as Minneapolis high school “B” Champion. Determined to improve; he was one of the first Minnesota high schoolers to run twice a day all summer.

The hard work paid off. Fall cross country began with an unofficial state record at the very first meet of the season. Then, a new meet record at the Swain Invitational in Duluth; followed by a win at the city/regional meet. At Lake Nokomis, Skip led his team to Southwest's 9th state cross country championship in 20 years, with a record setting time of 8:48 for 1.8 miles.

The swimming teams on which he participated were undefeated for three years amassing 43 consecutive victories and four city championships. For the 1962-63 season, Skip was the city champion in the 400 yard freestyle, and finished second in the 200 yard freestyle.

In the spring of 1963, Skip was elected co-captain of the track team. He was the city mile champion. He anchored the record setting 4-mile relay team at the City Conference Relays. And at the Southwest relays, he anchored the 2-mile relay team in record time. His best mile time was 4:23.3.

Awarded an athletic scholarship to the University of Minnesota, Skip ran cross country and track for Coach Roy Griak. He was a member of the 1964 cross country team that won the Big Ten Championship. It was the first time in 50 years that Minnesota had won.

Graduating from the U of M School of Dentistry in 1971, Skip served in the Navy at Camp Pendleton, CA for two years. Staying in San Diego, he and his wife, Kathie, had a family dental practice for 35 years.