WAUKESHA, Wis. - 1999.
It was the final year of the 20th century, Bill Clinton was in his second term as President of the United States, the Backstreet Boys' single "Larger Than Life" topped the pop music charts, NFL legend Walter Payton passed away and the comedy "American Pie" was a hit at the movie theater box office.
For the Carroll College track and field program, it would be remembered as a rare, magical, championship season that permanently left its mark on school history.
With a strong core of leadership, perfect mix of hungry, young talent and a relentless quest for excellence in each competition, both the Carroll men's and women's teams used an aggressive, determined Pioneer-esque approach and blazed their way to the top of the challenging Midwest Conference - both winning prestigious indoor and outdoor conference titles in the process.
It was the first time in conference and school history that the feat had been accomplished.
To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the program's prestigious championship run, the teams were fittingly honored over the weekend, including a special salute/presentation near the conclusion of  the cold, blustery Carroll Alumni Open (on the grounds of the Dennis Punches Track & Field Complex) on Saturday, April 13th.
The four 1999 championship banners were proudly displayed on the fence of the facility to help commemorate the history-making accomplishment.
Former head coach Brian Bliese, a 2013 Carroll Athletics Hall of Fame Inductee who guided the Pioneer track and field program for 15 years (1985-2000), took some time to reminisce about the memorable, history-making season.
"It was a surreal, overpowering experience," said Bliese, of the stunning, rare feat. "The biggest thing was that we were a close-knit group and really built upon a tremendous team concept over the course of the season. After a few near misses during the mid-90s it all ultimately culminated with that success.
"We built a winning culture, it started to grow and still exists within the Carroll program to this day under coach (Shawn) Thielitz. Looking back, there was a great comaradarie between both teams and they showed support for one another each step of the way. They were a truly special group."
On March 6, 1999, the program's ascent to greatness was put on full display as the Pioneers captured MWC indoor team titles at Knox College in Galesburg, Ill. to finish the intense, two-day event. The Carroll men scored 139 points to outdistance second-place Grinnell by a 21-point margin in the nine-team competition - highlighted by individual first-place finishes by Adam Smiley in the 55-meter dash (6.58), Jay Diedrich in triple jump (45-6) and John Huenink in pole vault (15-5).
The Carroll women outdistanced second-place Monmouth by a 19-point margin - powered by individual event titles from Marni Lynn in the 800 (2:16.21), 1,500 (4:46.27) and 3,000 (10:42.59) along with Shannon Hardy in the 55 hurdles (8.84).
The Pioneers followed with victories in the sprint medley relay (Karen Holst, Hardy, Corri Kisselburg, and Cristy Amenson) in 4:17.58 and distance medley relay (Corey Wagner, Sara Schultz, Amenson and Lynn) in 12:40.71.
"After realizing between events that winning both team titles was within our reach, I dropped down to one knee and took a deep breath," Bliese said. "I distinctly remember the feeling of euphoria among the kids and all of the smiles after it happened. On the bus ride back, I was sitting in the front with the trophies next to me and it was incredible to think about what had just taken place. It took awhile to fully realize the magnitude of what we had accomplished."
Carroll's success continued as it later claimed MWC outdoor titles on May 8, 1999 following a two-day competition at Monmouth College - completing the impressive conference sweep.
The Carroll men scored 204.5 points to cruise to the title, outdistancing second-pace Grinnell by a dominant 65-point margin - highlighted by first-place individual finishes from Smiley in the 100 (11.09) and 200 (21.93), Nick Wietor in the discus (152-1) and javelin (169-1), Diedrich in triple jump (46-3 1/2) and Huenink in pole vault (15-6). The Pioneers also won the 4x100 relay (Ryan Guettel, Jason Gosa, 2013 Carroll Hall of Inductee Brad Guettel and Smiley) in 42.28.
The Carroll women scored 158 points to outlast second-place Lawrence by 14 points in the spirited nine-team competition, propelled by Lynn's three individual titles in the 1,500 (4:39.61), 3,000 (10:27.75) and 5,000 (18:18.90).
Lynn, who was inducted into the Carroll Hall of Fame in 2011, won an NCAA Division III indoor national championship in the 1,500 and a national outdoor title in the 3,000 to cap the magical season.
"It's always a joy coming back to Carroll and brings back so many great memories," said Bliese, who is currently the head track and field coach at Beloit College, which also competed Saturday. "Being recognized as part of such a special accomplishment is tremendous. It's not only nice to see a lot of the athletes again but also sets a good example for the current teams and what can be done if they work together and compete up to their potential every time. The 1999 team consisted of many talented, hard-working athletes but most of all they were great people."

PIONEER FAST FACTS
What: The 1999 Carroll College men's and women's track and field teams celebrated their 20th reunion and were acknowledged during a special ceremony near the conclusion of the Carroll Alumni Open at the Dennis Punges Track & Field Complex on Saturday, April 13, 2019.
Accomplishment: Became the first team in both school history and Midwest Conference track and field to win both men's and women's indoor and outdoor conference championships in a single season
Head Coach: Brian Bliese
Assistant Coaches: Chad Day, Sara Thomas, Chip Hardy, Rich Vargas 
Team Members: Men - Brandon Spoerl, Doug LaFave, Frank Fierek, Ted Starck, Nick Wietor, Justin Reedy, Brian Wiederhoeft, Adam Broten, Erik Gehrke, Willie Griffin, Aaron Malczewski, Steve Staab, Rocco Lazaris, Nick Hardesty, Andy Koconis, Brad Conrath, Jeff Ruys, Jason Gosa, Matt Deadman, Brad Guettel, Kevin Tripp, Ryan Guettel, Jim Vento, John Huenink, Jeremy Simons, Adam Smiley, Jay Diedrich, T.J. Mentink; Women - Crystal Grosskopf, Sally Brown, Shannon Hardy, Sarah Werner, Kara Livesy, Jamie Simons, Marni Lynn, Val Rasner, Corey Wagner, Stephanie Danecki, Corri Kisselburg, Tity Kpandeyenge, Sara Dieringer, Reggie Schlicht, Kirsten Nelson, Karen Holst, Kristen Gath, Cristy Amenson, Sara Schultz and Jacki Jungbluth

1999 MIDWEST CONFERENCE 
INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
(at Knox College, March 5-6)
Men
Team Standings
1. Carroll 139; 2. Grinnell 118; 3. Monmouth 95; 4. Beloit 66; 5. St. Norbert 54; 6. Lawrence 37; 7. Knox 29; 8. Ripon 16; 9. Illinois College 4.0
Individual Titles: Jay Diedrich - Triple Jump (45-6); John Huenink - Pole Vault (15-5); Adam Smiley - 55 dash (6.58)
Women
Team Standings
1. Carroll 129; 2. Monmouth 110; 3. Lawrence 93; 4. Grinnell 58; 5. Knox 52; 6. St. Norbert 43; 7. Beloit 39; 8. Ripon 33; 9. Illinois College 0
Individual Titles: Marni Lynn - 800 (2:16.21), 1,500 (4:46.27), 3,000 (10:42.59); Shannon Hardy - 55 hurdles (8.84)
Relay Titles: Sprint Medley - (Karen Holst, Shannon Hardy, Corri Kisselburg, Cristy Amenson) 4:17.58; Distance Medley - (Corey Wagner, Sara Schultz, Cristy Amenson, Marni Lynn) 12:40.71

1999 MIDWEST CONFERENCE 
OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
(at Monmouth College, May 7-8)
Men
Team Standings
1. Carroll 204.5; 2. Grinnell 139.5; 3. Monmouth 114; 4. St. Norbert 77; 5. Beloit 72; 6. Lawrence 56; 7. Knox 42; 8. Ripon 35; 9. Illinois College 0
Individual Titles: Jay Diedrich - Triple Jump (46-3 1/2); John Huenink - Pole Vault (15-6); Nick Wietor - Discus (152-1), Javelin (169-1); Adam Smiley - 100 (11.09), 200 (21.93)
Relay Title: 4x100 (Ryan Guettel, Jason Gosa, Brad Guettel, Adam Smiley) 42.28
Women
Team Standings
1. Carroll 158; 2. Lawrence 144; 3. Monmouth 116; 4. Beloit 100; 5. St. Norbert 69; 6. Grinnell 62; 7. Ripon 49; Knox 41; Illinois College 0
Individual Titles: Marni Lynn - 1,500 (4:39.61), 3,000 (10:27.75), 5,000 (18:18.90)