2007-08 WIAC Men's Indoor Track & Field Headlines

2007-08 WIAC Men's Indoor Track & Field Headlines

Former UW-La Crosse Track Coach Mark Guthrie Selected To Hall of Fame

RELEASED: Thursday, August 14, 2008

NEW ORLEANS--Former University of Wisconsin-La Crosse men’s track and field head coach Mark Guthrie will be inducted into the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Hall of Fame.

He will be joined in the 2008 class by Charles Craig (California State University-Bakersfield), Kim Duyst (California State University-Stanislaus), Dean Hayes (Middle Tennessee State University), Dave Murray (University of Arizona), Gary Pepin (University of Nebraska), Peter Tegen (Stanford University) and Alex Wilson (University of Notre Dame).

The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is scheduled for December 17th, 2008 at the J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa in Phoenix, Arizona - site of the 2008 USTFCCCA Convention.

Guthrie joins current UW-Oshkosh women’s track and field/cross country head coach Deb Vercauteren as the only Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) coaches to earn Hall of Fame status from the USTFCCCA. Vercauteren was a member of the association’s 2006 class.

Guthrie’s success as a track and field coach at the collegiate level was immediately felt when he first stepped foot onto the campus of UW-La Crosse. He took the reins as the Eagles head coach in 1985 and spent 19 years at the Division III track and field powerhouse before joining the coaching staff at UW-Madison in 2007. Guthrie owns 22 Division III national championships and one Division I Championship as an assistant at Wisconsin-Madison.

"It's really a tremendous and humbling honor," Guthrie said of his induction. "You don't start out in this business thinking about halls of fame and that sort of thing, but to be honored by your peers like this is certainly a humbling experience," he added.

Guthrie, whose coaching career began right out of college in 1975, has won championships at every major level in cross country/track and field. His first job was at Fennimore (Wisc.) High School where he was the boys’ head cross country and track & field coach, guiding the team to three straight cross country state championships. After Fennimore, he would move to Naperville (Ill.) High School before taking his first job at the college ranks with UW-La Crosse in 1985.

He spent 19 years at UW-La Crosse and during that time frame he won an unprecedented 22 Division III National Titles (12 indoor/10 outdoor). In addition to his 22 titles, his teams swept both the indoor and outdoor titles in the same season 10 times from 1988 through 2006, completing the feat in successive years from 1991-1993 and 2001-2004.

“A lot of credit has to go to those I've worked with and coached throughout my career. Nothing that I've accomplished would have happened if it weren't for the assistant coaches, administrators and student-athletes I've had the opportunity to work with. I also have to give a lot of credit to all the parents who trusted their student-athletes to me and helped support them throughout their careers,” Guthrie said.

Guthrie’s peers named him the United States Track Coaches Association’s (now USTFCCCA) Division III National Coach of the Year eight times during his career, and he was named a Division III Regional Coach of the Year 11 times.

Under his direction, Guthrie guided the Eagles to 34 WIAC titles, winning both the indoor and outdoor conference titles in his final year at La Crosse. Guthrie won 16 WIAC Indoor and Outdoor Coach of the Year honors during his 19-year stint.

In 1997, he was selected first vice-president of the USTCA (now USTFCCCA) Division III Track & Field Coaches and served as the Division III Track and Field president from 2000 to 2004. In 2004, he was awarded United States Sports Academy’s Distinguished Service Award.

Guthrie has coached five Olympic Trials participants with the most notable being 2004 Olympic gold medalist Andrew Rock. Rock was a 17-time NCAA Division III All-American at UW-La Crosse.

# # # # #

USTFCCCA Announces Academic Awards

RELEASED: Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Madison, Wis.--The United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) has announced its academic awards for the 2007-08 academic year.

UW-La Crosse was named the 2008 NCAA Division III Men’s Indoor Scholar Team of the Year after capturing the indoor national championship and recording a 3.018 team grade point average. Individually, UW-Whitewater’s Jon Schellin was recognized as the 2008 NCAA Division III Indoor Track Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

Schellin, a senior from Columbus, Wis., is majoring in secondary education and carries a 3.713 grade point average.

Joining UW-La Crosse on the Team All-Academic list were UW-Oshkosh (3.095) and UW-Platteville (3.028). A total of 56 NCAA Division III men’s programs were honored.

UW-La Crosse (3.370), UW-Eau Claire (3.280), UW-Oshkosh (3.207), UW-Platteville (3.125) and UW-Whitewater (3.110) were among the 92 women’s programs receiving recognition.

The selection of the All-Academic Indoor and Outdoor Scholar Teams of the Year award is based on a combination of academic and athletic achievements. To be nominated, the team must carry a minimum 3.000 cumulative grade point average.

The USTFCCCA also announced the 2008 NCAA Division III All-Academic Track and Field Team. A total of 232 female student-athletes representing 84 Division III colleges and universities made up the squad. UW-La Crosse placed a division-leading 14 student-athletes on the list that included 32 WIAC individuals.

The men’s team consisted of 158 student-athletes, including 20 from the WIAC, representing 70 Division III institutions.

The women’s list featured: UW-Eau Claire’s Briana Berg, Liz Faller, Kjersten Holt, Hannah Humbach, Liz Kooistra and Maria Peloquin, UW-La Crosse’s Chris Clausen, Alecia Ellingstad, Katie Fondow, Katlin Genthe, AnnMarie Glejf, Krista Kopetsky, Abby Lien, Ashton May, Caitlin Perra, Danica Schaefer, Caitlin Schetter, Jamie Scott, Katie Steingraeber and Katelynn Williams, UW-Oshkosh’s Rebecca Masephol, Ayla Mitchell, Holly Ozanich, Terri Schwamb and Susie Trzebiatowski, UW-Platteville’s Alison Ross, Jessica Scott and Marcia Taddy, UW-River Falls’ Krista Hasselquist and UW-Superior’s Nancy Hudack, Sheri Niemeyer and Kathleen Rosburg.

The men’s team included: UW-Eau Claire’s Sam Johnson, UW-La Crosse’s Andrew Boldt, Matt Gordy, Adam Kleinmaus, Ryan Mendez and David Stauder, UW-Oshkosh’s Nate Boehlke, Kevin Lofy, Jared Morris and Phil Prusinski, UW-Platteville’s Scott Howard, Anthony Kilburg, Cameron Klein and Mitch Spees, UW-River Falls’ Jason Phillippi, UW-Stevens Point’s Cory Baumann, Jerry Prusinski, Kyle Steiner and Nicholas Ver Duin and UW-Whitewater’s Jon Schellin.

To qualify for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Track and Field Team, the student-athlete must have compiled a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 and met the NCAA Division III Indoor or Outdoor automatic or provisional qualifying standard in their respective event.

# # # # #

Three Claim Academic All-America Men’s Track & Field/Cross Country Academic Honors

RELEASED: Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Madison, Wis.--Three Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) individuals have been named to the 2008 CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Men’s Track & Field/Cross Country Team.

UW-Platteville’s Tony Kilburg was a first team selection, while UW-Eau Claire’s Sam Johnson and UW-Stevens Point’s Kyle Steiner were second team choices.

The team is comprised of all NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA student-athletes throughout the country and is voted on by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), while being sponsored by ESPN The Magazine. To be eligible for the team, a student-athlete must maintain at least a grade point average of 3.20 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his current institution and be nominated by his sports information director.

Kilburg, a junior from Bellevue, Iowa, is majoring in engineering physics and mathematics and boasts a 3.89 grade point average. He is the first WIAC track & field/cross country student-athlete to claim Academic All-America first team honors since UW-La Crosse’s Eric Svestka in 2006. Kilburg is the fourth Pioneer track & field/cross country member to secure first team accolades, joining Mike Hintz (1986-87), Dan Jansen (1989-90) and Bryan Cunningham (1996, 1998).

Johnson, a junior from Deer Park, Wis. (Amery), carries a 3.93 grade point average and is majoring in physics. He is the third Blugold track & field/cross country student-athlete to secure Academic All-America recognition, joining Jason Slaikeu (1996-98) and John Schuna (2005).

A senior from Grafton, Wis., Steiner is the first individual in program history to earn Academic All-America honors in back-to-back years. He is majoring in biology and sustains a 3.79 grade point average.

# # # # #

Four Secure Academic All-District Men’s Track & Field/Cross Country Status

RELEASED: Friday, June 6, 2008

Madison, Wis.--Four Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference individuals have been named to the 2008 CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Five College Division Men’s Track & Field/Cross Country Team.

UW-Eau Claire’s Sam Johnson, UW-Platteville’s Tony Kilburg and UW-Stevens Point’s Kyle Steiner were first team selections, while UW-La Crosse’s Adam Kleinmaus was a second team pick.

The team is comprised of all NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA student-athletes from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Minnesota and is voted on by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

Johnson, a junior from Deer Park, Wis., (Amery H.S.), boasts a 3.94 grade point average and is majoring in physics.

A junior from Bellevue, Iowa, Kilburg is majoring in engineering physics and mathematics and sustains a 3.89 grade point average.

Steiner, a senior from Grafton, Wis., secured first team recognition for the second straight year. He maintains a 3.79 grade point average and is majoring in biology.

Johnson, Kilburg and Steiner are eligible for the Academic All-America Team that will be announced June 23.

Kleinmaus, a senior from New Berlin, Wis. (Waukesha Catholic Memorial H.S.), is majoring in accounting and carries a 3.93 grade point average.

# # # # #

Eagles Fly High at NCAA Men’s Indoor Track and Field Championship

RELEASED: Saturday, March 15, 2008

Ada, Ohio--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse won its seventh national title in the last eight seasons at the NCAA Division III Men’s Indoor Track and Field Championship that was held March 14-15 at the Ohio Northern Sports Center on the campus of Ohio Northern University.

The national championship for the Eagles is the NCAA Division III-record 14th in program history.

UW-La Crosse totaled 43 team points at this year’s meet to outdistance the second-place total of 33 points by Monmouth College (Ill.). UW-Oshkosh and UW-Platteville tied for third with 21 points and Hamilton College (N.Y.) fifth with 20 points.

UW-Whitewater finished seventh with 15 points, UW-Stevens Point and UW-Superior tied for 25th with eight points, UW-Eau Claire tied for 46th with four points and UW-River Falls tied for 53rd with three points. A total of 66 teams earned points at the national meet.

UW-La Crosse’s Bobby Riley claimed the shot put title for the second straight year with a heave of 55-7, while the 4x400-meter relay team of Alex Rooker, Dylan Randolph, Jon Doble and David Kolbe took first with a performance of 3:19.67. This marked the sixth straight season the Eagles claimed the 4x400-meter relay competition.

UW-Oshkosh’s Willy Kaul won the 5,000-meter run with a fieldhouse-record time of 14:23.43.

UW-Platteville’s distance medley relay quartet of Cameron Klein, Adam Buss, Tony Kilburg and Tyler Sigl secured the national title with a time of 9:59.71.

The top eight finishers in each event claimed All-America status from the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

WIAC All-Americans:
400-Meter Dash: David Kolbe (UW-La Crosse-Sixth)

800-Meter Run: Matt Kramer (UW-Superior-Second), Nick Zeien (UW-River Falls-Sixth)

One-Mile Run: Paul Zdroik (UW-La Crosse-Second)

5,000-Meter Run: Willy Kaul (UW-Oshkosh-Champion), Tyler Sigl (UW-Platteville-Second)

55-Meter Hurdles: Jon Schellin (UW-Whitewater-Second)

Triple Jump: James Simms (UW-Oshkosh-Fourth), Jessie Dengsavang (UW-La Crosse-Sixth)

Long Jump: Derek Stanley (UW-Whitewater-Sixth)

High Jump: David Stauder (UW-La Crosse-Eighth)

Pole Vault: Scott Howard (UW-Platteville-Sixth), Mark Cufaude (UW-Stevens Point-Seventh)

35-Pound Weight Throw: Phil Prusinski (UW-Oshkosh-Fifth), Sam Johnson (UW-Eau Claire-Sixth)

Shot Put: Bobby Riley (UW-La Crosse-Champion)

4x400-Meter Relay: UW-La Crosse (Alex Rooker, Dylan Randolph, Jon Doble, David Kolbe-Champion), UW-Stevens Point (Brad Koback, Pat Leonard, Josh Schwinn, Nicholas Ver Duin-Third), UW-Eau Claire (Justin White, Tim Braunschweig, Brian Christ, Chris Kupfer-Eighth)

Distance Medley Relay: UW-Platteville (Cameron Klein, Adam Buss, Tony Kilburg, Tyler Sigl-Champion), UW-La Crosse (Kevin Oelstrom, Dylan Randolph, Andrew Boldt, Paul Zdroik-Second), UW-Whitewater (Brakken Kraker, Matt Kovnesky, Eric Keen, Brian Butzler-Fifth), UW-Oshkosh (Nate Boehlke, Ben Zill, Jared Morris, Andrew McGuire-Seventh)

# # # # #

Three Secure USTFCCCA Awards

RELEASED: Friday, March 14, 2008

Madison, Wis.--Three Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) individuals have been cited by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) for their efforts during the 2008 season.

UW-La Crosse’s Caitlin Schetter was named the 2008 NCAA Division III Women’s Field Athlete of the Year, while UW-Platteville’s Marcia Taddy secured the Midwest Region Women’s Track Athlete of the Year award and UW-Oshkosh’s Willy Kaul claimed the Midwest Region Men’s Track Athlete of the Year honor.

Schetter, a junior from Kiel, Wis., captured the WIAC championship in the triple jump and placed second in the long jump. She boasts the top long jump performance in the country with a mark of 19-3 1/2.

Taddy, a senior from Two Rivers, Wis., earned the regional honor for the second straight season and was named the national track athlete of the year in 2007. She won both the 800 and one-mile runs at the WIAC championship for the third consecutive year. Taddy established a WIAC meet-record and top time in the country in the 800-meter run with a performance of 2:10.35 and holds the top time in the nation in the one-mile run at 4:53.07.

Kaul, a junior from Menomonee Falls, Wis. (Milwaukee Lutheran H.S.) won both the 3,000 and 5,000-meter runs at the WIAC meet this season and holds the top time in the NCAA Division III with a performance of 14:22.99 in the 5,000-meter run.

# # # # #

UW-Whitewater’s Schellin Earns Men’s Indoor Track and Field Scholar-Athlete Award

RELEASED: Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Jon Schellin has been named the 2008 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Max Sparger Men’s Indoor Track and Field Scholar-Athlete.

A native of Columbus, Wis., Schellin is a senior and is double-majoring in secondary education social studies and economics. He carries a 3.70 grade point average and is a two-time selection to the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic Team. Schellin is a three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and has been recognized on UW-Whitewater’s Dean’s List numerous semesters.

A team captain this season, he claimed the 55-meter hurdles title at the WIAC championship for the second straight year. Schellin, the school record holder in the 55-meter hurdles, claimed All-America honors in the event last season with a seventh-place finish at the NCAA Division III championship.

He is a member of the Golden Key and Magna Cum Laude Honors Societies, Phi Eta Sigma and Wisconsin Educators Association. Schellin has served as a lifeguard at UW-Whitewater’s Williams Center.

Also nominated for this year’s scholar-athlete award were: UW-La Crosse’s Brad Peterson (Sr., Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead), UW-Oshkosh’s Kevin Lofy (Sr., Lake Geneva, Wis./Badger), Brian Kelley (Sr., Winnebago, Ill.), Scott Michel (Jr., Waupaca, Wis.) and Andrew Stendahl (Sr., Cottage Grove, Wis./Madison East), UW-River Falls’ Jason Phillipi (Sr., Maplewood, Minn./Tartan), UW-Stevens Point’s Nicholas Ver Duin (Sr., Howards Grove, Wis.), UW-Stout’s Robert Schmitz (Sr., Wells, Minn./United South Central) and UW-Superior’s Lee Sims (Sr., Crookston, Minn.).

The WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award is named after Max Sparger and sponsored by Hewlett-Packard. Sparger served as commissioner of the Wisconsin State University Conference from July, 1971 - July, 1993.

In order to be nominated for the scholar-athlete award, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.25 grade point average, be in their last year of competition, or on schedule to graduate this academic year, and have competed for a minimum of two years.

# # # # #

UW-La Crosse’s Fritsch and UW-Platteville’s Nickasch Named Men’s Indoor Track and Field Co-Coaches of the Year

RELEASED: Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s Don Fritsch and UW-Platteville’s Jim Nickasch have been named Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) men’s indoor track and field co-coaches of the year, based on a vote of the league coaches.

Fritsch is in his first season in charge of the Eagle track program and led the squad to its seventh straight title at the WIAC championship. He also serves as head coach of the UW-La Crosse men’s cross country program and has won the league’s coaching honor six times.

Nickasch is in his seventh year with the Pioneers and directed the squad to a fourth-place finish at the conference meet.

This marks the second time in WIAC history the coaching prized has been shared. UW-La Crosse’s Mark Guthrie and UW-Whitewater’s Darren Schneider split the award in 2002.

# # # # #

UW-La Crosse Captures Seventh Straight Men’s Indoor Track and Field Championship

RELEASED: Saturday, March 1, 2008

Superior, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse emerged from the 2008 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Men’s Indoor Track and Field Championship with its seventh straight title on March 1 in UW-Superior’s Lydia Thering Fieldhouse.

The Eagles started the second day of competition in third-place, but won two events and compiled 105 team points to finish with 137.50 during the two-day event and claim the 33rd conference championship in program history. UW-Whitewater placed second with 125 points for the closest finish since the 1989 meet when UW-Oshkosh defeated UW-La Crosse 140.50-137.

UW-Oshkosh placed third this year with 104.50 points, UW-Platteville fourth with 101.50, UW-Stevens Point fifth with 100, UW-Eau Claire sixth with 68.50, UW-Stout seventh with 26, UW-River Falls eighth with 23 and UW-Superior ninth with 16.

Winning titles for UW-La Crosse were Matt Gordy and Dave Stauder. Gordy claimed the 55-meter dash with a time of 6.46, while Stauder secured the high jump with a leap of 6-5 1/2.

UW-Stevens Point’s Nicholas Ver Duin captured the 200-meter dash and 400-meter dash with times of 22.13 and 49.39, respectively, while the Pointers’ 4x400-meter relay team posted a first-place time of 3:22.20.

UW-Oshkosh’s Willy Kaul won his second title of the championship with a performance of 8:37.95 in the 3,000-meter run. He was victorious in the 5,000-meter run during the first day of events.

The Titans also received first-place efforts from James Simms in the triple jump (47-4 1/4) and Phil Prusinski in the 35-pound weight throw (56-9 1/2).

UW-Whitewater also had three individuals capture championships during the second day of events. Jon Schellin claimed the 55-meter hurdles for the second straight year with a time of 7.60.

Aron Kehoe won the 800-meter run with a performance of 1:54.41 and Darin Kuhnke earned the heptathlon with 4,654 points.

UW-Platteville’s Tyler Sigl ran to a first-place time of 4:10.78 in the one-mile run, while UW-Eau Claire won the 4x400-meter relay with a time of 1:30.85.

Day Two Event Champions:
55-Meter Dash: Matt Gordy (UW-La Crosse), 6.46
200-Meter Dash: Nicholas Ver Duin (UW-Stevens Point), 22.13
400-Meter Dash: Nicholas Ver Duin (UW-Stevens Point), 49.39
800-Meter Run: Aron Kehoe (UW-Whitewater), 1:54.41
One-Mile Run: Tyler Sigl (UW-Platteville), 4:10.78
3,000-Meter Run: Willy Kaul (UW-Oshkosh), 8:37.95
55-Meter Hurdles: Jon Schellin (UW-Whitewater), 7.60
High Jump: Dave Stauder (UW-La Crosse), 6-5 1/2 (1.97m)
Triple Jump: James Simms (UW-Oshkosh), 47-4 1/4 (14.43m)
35-Pound Weight Throw: Phil Prusinski (UW-Oshkosh), 56-9 1/2 (17.31m)
Heptathlon: Darin Kuhnke (UW-Whitewater), 4,654 points

4x200-Meter Relay: UW-Eau Claire, 1:30.85
4x400-Meter Relay: UW-Stevens Point, 3:22.20

Track Performer of the Meet: Nicholas Ver Duin of UW-Stevens Point
Field Performer of the Meet: James Simms of UW-Oshkosh
Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete: Jon Schellin of UW-Whitewater
Co-Coaches of the Year: Don Fritsch of UW-La Crosse and Jim Nickasch of UW-Platteville

# # # # #

UW-Whitewater Leads Men’s Indoor Track and Field Championship

RELEASED: Friday, February 29, 2008

Superior, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater holds a narrow lead following the first day of competition at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Men’s Indoor Track and Field Championship in UW-Superior’s Lydia Thering Fieldhouse.

The Warhawks compiled 42 team points in five events to hold a slim advantage over UW-Platteville’s total of 40.50 points. Six-time defending champion UW-La Crosse ranks third with 32.50, UW-Oshkosh fourth with 27.50, UW-Eau Claire fifth with 22.50, UW-Stevens Point sixth with 17, UW-Superior seventh with seven, UW-Stout eighth with four and UW-River Falls ninth with two.

UW-Whitewater’s Bruce Zalud claimed the long jump with a leap of 22-9 3/4 to lead the Warhawk attack.

UW-La Crosse’s Bobby Riley won the shot put for the second straight season with a heave of 55-6 1/2, while the Eagles’ distance medley relay team earned a first-place standing with a time of 10:20.53.

UW-Oshkosh’s Willy Kaul placed first in the 5,000-meter run with a time of 14:43.73 and UW-Platteville’s Scott Howard claimed the pole vault with a height of 15-11.

Competition continues with the final day of events on March 1 beginning at 9 a.m.

Day One Event Champions:
5,000-Meter Run: Willy Kaul (UW-Oshkosh), 14:43.73
Long Jump: Bruce Zalud (UW-Whitewater), 22-9 3/4 (6.95m)
Pole Vault: Scott Howard (UW-Platteville), 15-11 (4.85m)
Shot Put: Bobby Riley (UW-La Crosse), 55-6 1/2 (16.93m)

Distance Medley Relay: UW-La Crosse, 10:20.53

# # # # #

Fritsch Named UW-La Crosse Men’s Track and Field Interim Head Coach

RELEASED: Thursday, August 23, 2007

La Crosse, Wis.--The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse has named Don Fritsch as its interim head men’s track & field head coach. Fritsch, who also serves as the Eagles’ head men’s cross country coach, replaces Brent Ericksen, who resigned in July to accept an assistant track & field coaching position at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

“As a long-time alumnus of the program and a 16-year veteran as a volunteer coach in the track program I wanted to see the smoothest possible transition for the veterans as well as the new incoming freshmen,” said Fritsch. “Our goal will be to prepare and coach a highly competitive team once again this year, but I want to do more than tread water for one year. I want to turn over a program and team to the future coach that is highly motivated, confident and very positive about the future of the program. The past success of this program has always hinged on the incredible attitudes and great work ethics of our student-athletes, and that will not change.”

Fritsch enters his 10th year at the helm of the UW-La Crosse men’s cross country team in 2007. After taking over in 1998, Fritsch has led the Eagles to two National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Championships and six Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) titles. UW-La Crosse captured its third national title in school history in 2005 and second under Fritsch, also winning in 2001. The Eagles won their first national championship in 1996. Fritsch was named the 2001 and 2005 NCAA Division III Cross Country Coach of the Year.

He has led the Eagles to WIAC Championships in 1998, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2005 and 2006. Fritsch led UW-La Crosse to its first conference championship since the 1994 season with the team title in 1998. For his efforts, Fritsch has earned WIAC Coach of the Year honors in all six seasons the Eagles have captured the conference crown.

Fritsch was inducted into the Wisconsin Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame in January, 2004.

He has guided UW-La Crosse to top-seven national finishes in eight of nine years as head coach. Fritsch assisted head cross country coach Phil Esten and the UW-La Crosse track and field program for six years before being elevated to the head cross country position. A former UW-La Crosse cross country and track and field athlete, Fritsch graduated in 1980 and later returned to receive a master’s degree in physical education-human performance in 1993. He ran to All-WIAC and NAIA All-District 14 honors during his career at UW-La Crosse.

Before coming back to coach at UW-La Crosse, he served as head coach of the boy’s and girl’s cross country programs at Stevens Point Pacelli High School from 1981-90, where he earned Wisconsin Independent Schools Athletic Association Coach of the Year honors four times. He also guided the boy’s and girl’s track and field programs at the school from 1985-91. Fritsch coached the boy’s and girl’s programs to a combined 15 WISAA Division II cross country team championships. He also guided the girl’s track and field team to two state titles. During his tenure at Pacelli, Fritsch guided the development of 15 individual state champions.

In addition to his coaching duties, Fritsch has been a member of the UW-La Crosse academic staff in the health and physical education department and in the education department at Viterbo University. He currently teaches health and physical education at Longfellow Middle School in La Crosse, a position he has held since 1994.

UW-La Crosse has won 24 track & field titles in school history (13 indoor, 11 outdoor), more than any other Division III institution.

# # # # #

Back to the WIAC home page