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The UW-Stout women's cross country program has seen a steady, progressive
climb in their finish at the annual NCAA Division III regional meet. Over
the last seven years, the Blue Devils have gone from a 21st place finish
to a 10th place regional finish last season.
Now, the Blue Devils will have to continue their climb with a new leader
at the helm. Long time coach Joe Harlan as take over as the athletic director
and Matt Schauf steps into the role of coach of both the women's and the
men's cross country teams.
Schauf, who was an assistant men's track coach last spring, was the head
coach for the boy's and girl's teams at nearby Boyceville High School.
Schauf has been left with a good group of returners and a solid group of
first year recruits.
"This team is on the cusp of going up to that next level," said
Schauf. "Joe (Harlan) has done a great job of building a good program.
Now it is our job to take that next leap and then maintain it."
Co-captains Bridgette
Crozier (Sr, Winona, Minn) and Abbey
Ring (Sr, Manitowoc) return to lead the team.
Crozier has consistently been one of the Blue Devils' top two or three runners
throughout her three years at Stout. Crozier narrowly missed all-conference
honors last fall with a 24th place finish. Ring has been a team leader who
has been consistent throughout her career and is continuing her progression.
"The leadership of this team is very strong with those two (Crozier
and Ring)," Schauf said. "I met with them and they are very positive
and willing to do what they can to see the team do better in the long run."
Rachel
Richardson (Jr, Weyerhaeuser) continues to make leaps and bounds
in her running career. Last spring, Richardson continually shaved off time
in the steeplechase and her improvement should continue.
Michelle
Lewis (Jr, Burnsville, Minn) and Charity
Cook (So, Lena) round out the top five returners. Lewis has
been very steady and consistent, while Cook was in and out of the team's
top seven last season as a freshman.
Bonnie
Wold (Sr, Mendota Heights, Minn) returns after missing the
track season due to a study abroad progam and adds depth to the program
along with sister Katie
Wold (So, Mendota Heights, Minn), Heather
Wolleson (So, Lakeville, Minn), Erica
Schweikert (Jr, Coon Rapids, Minn) and newcomer Karla
Kultgen (Random Lake).
The incoming group is a talented group of runners.
In one year of high school cross country, Emily Stenzel (Fr, North
Mankato, Minn) recorded a time of 15-minutes, 28-seconds in a 4-kilometer
race. Katie Schneiderman (Fr, Magnolia, Minn) recorded
a 16:08 in the 4K. Kelsey Mullen (Fr, Chippewa Falls) was
a conference champion. Shea Bratcher (Fr, Northfield, Minn) redshirted
at NCAA Division II Western State in Colorado last season.
Rounding out the newcomers are Kylie Bartolomeo (Fr, Pewaukee),
Angie Raasch (Fr, Zumbrota, Minn), Jenna Bordersen (Fr, Coon Rapids, Minn)
and Anna Kuffel (Fr, Rochester, Minn).
"This will be a solid team," Schauf said. "We have a chance
to achieve some goals, but we will have to see where all of the pieces go."
Schauf will be assisted by Brett Heimstead, who worked with the program
last season as an assistant after a four year cross country and track career,
and Laura Verdegan, a former track All-American who has coached cross country
the last two seasons.