2008-09 WIAC Men's Indoor Track & Field Headlines
Track Teams Claim USTFCCCA All-Academic Recognition
RELEASED: Thursday, July 9, 2009
MADISON, Wis.--Six Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women’s track and field programs and two men’s squads have been named 2009 NCAA Division III All-Academic Track and Field Teams by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
UW-Eau Claire (3.330), UW-La Crosse (3.370), UW-Oshkosh (3.143), UW-Platteville (3.201), UW-Stout (3.390) and UW-Whitewater (3.120) made the list of 100 women’s teams that received the honor. The six selections from the WIAC were the most in the country, along with the Centennial Conference, Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference and University Athletic Association.
On the men’s side, UW-Eau Claire (3.110) and UW-Platteville (3.144) garnered a spot on the 51-team list.
To be nominated, the team must carry a minimum 3.100 cumulative grade point average.
UW-Eau Claire’s Johnson and UW-La Crosse’s Vincent Lead USTFCCCA All-Academic Men’s Track and Field Team
RELEASED: Wednesday, July 8, 2009
MADISON, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s Sam Johnson and UW-La Crosse’s Dallas Vincent have been named 2009 NCAA Division III Scholar-Athletes of the Year by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
Johnson claimed the Indoor Field Scholar-Athlete honor, while Vincent was the Indoor Field Scholar-Athlete recipient.
A senior from Deer Park, Wis. (Amery), Johnson boasted a 3.93 grade point average while majoring in physics. He won the national title in the 35-pound weight throw, as each of his legal throws went further than any other competitor’s throws. Johnson also secured the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) crown in the 35-pound weight throw.
Vincent, a junior from Oakfield, Wis. (Mayville), is majoring in accounting and carries a 3.85 grade point average. He placed second at the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championship in the 5,000-meter run and anchored the second-place distance medley relay squad. At the WIAC meet, he placed fourth in the mile and second as a member of the distance medley relay.
Additional individuals from the WIAC that were named to the 186-member USTFCCCA All-Academic Team included: UW-Eau Claire’s Tim Braunschweig, UW-La Crosse’s Jeremiah Burish, Matt Gordy, Connor Lonning, Ryan Mendez, Brad Peterson and Paul Yerhot, UW-Oshkosh’s Nick Katsandonis, Jared Morris and Ben Wizner, UW-Platteville’s Tony Fontanini, Jason Garvens, Scott Howard, Tony Kilburg, Nate Petesch and Mitch Spees, UW-Stevens Point’s Chris Petrie, Jerry Prusinski and Cory Towle and UW-Stout’s Nate Carey and Daniel Drewek.
The 23 members from the WIAC were the most from any conference, followed by the University Athletic Association with 21 and the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with 18.
The USTFCCCA honors Division III individuals for their academic and athletic achievements during the indoor and outdoor track and field season. To qualify for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Track and Field Team, the student-athlete must have compiled a cumulative grade point average of 3.30 and have met the NCAA Division III Indoor or Outdoor automatic or provisional qualifying standard in their respective event.
Three Named To Academic All-America Men’s Track and Field/Cross Country Team
RELEASED: Thursday, June 25, 2009
MADISON, Wis.--Three Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) individuals have been named to the 2009 CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America College Division Men’s Track and Field/Cross Country Team.
UW-Eau Claire’s Sam Johnson was a first team choice, while UW-La Crosse’s Brad Peterson and UW-Platteville’s Tony Kilburg were second team recipients.
A senior from Deer Park, Wis. (Amery), Johnson was a second team choice a year ago. He is majoring in mathematics, while also receiving a dual degree in engineering and physics and boasts a 3.93 grade point average.
Johnson’s selection marks the seventh time in the last 10 years an individual from the WIAC has claimed first team honors.
Kilburg, a senior from Bellevue, Iowa (Marquette), was a first team recipient last season. He holds a 3.79 grade point average and is majoring in engineering physics and mathematics. Kilburg is the fourth individual in program history to earn multiple Academic All-America honors.
A senior from Hartland, Wis. (Arrowhead), Peterson maintains a 3.95 grade point average and is majoring in biology with a biomedical science concentration. He is the 11th Academic All-American in program listings.
Five Secure Academic All-District Men’s Track and Field/Cross Country First Team Recognition
RELEASED: Friday, June 5, 2009
MADISON, Wis.--Five Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference individuals have been named to the 2009 CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Five College Division Men’s Track and Field/Cross Country First Team.
UW-Eau Claire’s Sam Johnson, UW-La Crosse’s Brad Peterson and Dallas Vincent and UW-Platteville’s Tony Kilburg and Nathan Petesch earned spots on the 11-member first team.
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 senior from Deer Park, Wis. (Amery), secured first team accolades for the second straight year. He is majoring in mathematics, while also receiving a dual degree in engineering and physics and boasts a 3.93 grade point average.
A senior from Hartland, Wis. (Arrowhead), Peterson maintains a 3.95 grade point average and is majoring in biology with a biomedical science concentration. Peterson was just one of two individuals on the first team to own a 3.95 grade point average or better.
Vincent is a junior from Oakfield, Wis., (Mayville), and carries a 3.83 grade point average with a major in accounting.
A senior from Bellevue, Iowa (Marquette), Kilburg earned first team laurels for the second consecutive season. He holds a 3.79 grade point average and is majoring in engineering physics and mathematics.
Petesch, a junior from Bellevue, Iowa (Marquette), is majoring in geography and biology and owns a 3.92 grade point average.
All five individuals are eligible for the Academic All-America squad that will be announced later this month.
UW-Oshkosh Wins Al Carius Program Award, Three Finish In Top Four For Deb Vercauteren Honor
RELEASED: Tuesday, June 2, 2009
MADISON, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh claimed the inaugural NCAA Division III Al Carius Men’s Program of the Year Award, while three Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference teams finished in the top four for the inaugural Deb Vercauteren Women’s Program of the Year Award. The awards were announced by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
In the men’s standings, the Titans surpassed second-place UW-La Crosse and third-place UW-Stevens Point. UW-Oshkosh won the track and field indoor and outdoor national crowns, while finishing ninth at the national cross country championship. UW-La Crosse shared the indoor title with the Titans, while placing fifth at the outdoor meet and sixth in cross country. UW-Stevens Point recorded a fourth-place finish in cross country, eighth-place standing in indoor and tied for 25th in outdoor.
The women’s rankings had UW-La Crosse place second, UW-Eau Claire third and UW-Oshkosh fourth. Wartburg College (Iowa) secured the first-place trophy. The Eagles finished second at the indoor meet, third at the outdoor event and eighth in cross country. The Blugolds took fourth in outdoor, fifth in cross country and seventh in indoor, while the Titans posted a second-place finish in outdoor, third-place standing in indoor and 18th-place showing in cross country.
The Program of the Year awards are awarded annually to the most outstanding NCAA Division III cross country/track and field programs. The award honors the institution that has achieved the most success in each academic year (spanning the cross country, indoor track and field and outdoor track and field seasons) based on the institution’s finish at the NCAA Division III Championships.
In order to be eligible for the award teams must qualify for the NCAA Championships. Scoring is based on the team’s finish at each NCAA Division III Championship in cross country, indoor track and field and outdoor track and field (i.e. 1st = 1 point, 2nd = 2 points, 31st = 31 points) with the lowest total score for all three championships combined determining the award recipient.
Johnson Named UW-Whitewater Men’s Track and Field Head Coach
RELEASED: Tuesday, June 2, 2009
WHITEWATER, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Athletics Director Paul Plinske announced on June 1 that Mike Johnson has been appointed as the men's track and field head coach.
Johnson was a track and field team captain and four year letter winner at UW-Whitewater. He served as an assistant coach from 2005-2008. During that time, Johnson had athletes compete in every NCAA Division III indoor and outdoor championship meet. He was also Meet Manager for the 2007 and 2008 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Indoor Track and Field Championships held at UW-Whitewater and UW-Superior.
"Mike brings a strong understanding of the proud UW-Whitewater track and field tradition. He is familiar with the competitiveness of the league and has prepared himself to be an outstanding leader for our program," Plinske said.
This past year, Johnson served as the men's and women's assistant track and field/cross country coach and lecturer at UW-Stevens Point. He designed sprint, hurdle and jumps training programs for both male and female student-athletes. The Pointers men's team finished second in both the WIAC indoor and outdoor championships. The women finished fourth in both. At the 2009 national championships, the Pointer men claimed eighth at the indoor meet and tied for 25th at the outdoor meet.
"I'm very excited about the opportunity. We have a large and experienced staff, great facilities, and very supportive staff and administration in both academics and athletics at UW-Whitewater. I respect the tradition of Warhawk track and field and will work hard to continue to build on that," said Johnson.
Johnson graduated in 2006 with a Bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety and Health from UW-Whitewater. He also earned his Master's degree in Health and Human Performance from UW-Whitewater in 2008. Johnson is a USATF Level 2 certified Track and Field coach in Sprints/Hurdles as well as a member of the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
UW-Whitewater athletes have earned All-America honors 123 times, including 12 individual titles, since UW-Whitewater joined the NCAA in July 1980. The Warhawks have finished among the top 20 teams 12 times in NCAA III indoor championships and 10 times in the national outdoor meet.
Johnson accepted this interim appointment and a national search will be conducted next year. He replaces Darren Schneider, who resigned following the 2009 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championship in May.
UW-La Crosse’s Schetter and UW-Oshkosh’s Kaul Claim USTFCCCA Indoor Athlete of the Year Awards
RELEASED: Monday, March 23, 2009
MADISON, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s Caitlin Schetter and UW-Oshkosh’s Willy Kaul have been named the 2009 NCAA Division III Indoor Athletes of the Year by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). Schetter claimed the Women’s Field Athlete of the Year honor, while Kaul secured the Men’s Track Athlete of the Year prize.
Both individuals received the 2009 NCAA Division III Indoor Midwest Region awards earlier this month from the USTFCCCA.
A senior from Kiel, Wis., Schetter earned the national award for the second consecutive season. She won the long jump at the NCAA Division III championship and placed second in the triple jump to secure Women’s Field Athlete of the Meet accolades. Schetter also won the triple jump and long jump crowns at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) championship - establishing a meet record in the long jump at 19-5 1/2.
Kaul, a senior from Menomonee Falls, Wis., captured a first-place finish in the 5,000-meter run at the national meet and was a member of the winning distance medley relay squad that posted a meet-record time of 9:56.79. He was named the Men’s Track of the Meet for his performance. At the WIAC championship, Kaul won the one-mile run, 3,000-meter run and was part of the victorious distance medley relay team.
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UW-La Crosse and UW-Oshkosh Share NCAA Men’s Indoor Track and Field Title
RELEASED: Saturday, March 14, 2009
TERRE HAUTE, Ind.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and UW-Oshkosh shared the NCAA Division III Men’s Indoor Track and Field Championship following completion of the national meet that was held at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s (Ind.) Sports and Recreation Center on March 13-14.
The two Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) foes totaled 32 team points to surpass Whitworth University’s (Wash.) third-place sum of 24 points. McMurry University (Texas) was fourth with 23 points and Buena Vista University (Iowa) fifth with 21 points.
This marked the first time in history that the national title has been shared. UW-La Crosse earned its second straight championship and 15th in program history, while UW-Oshkosh claimed the first crown in program archives.
Additional WIAC team finishes this year included: UW-Stevens Point in eighth with 17.50 points, UW-Eau Claire tied for 17th with 10, UW-Whitewater finished 30th with 7.33, UW-Platteville tied for 40th with five, UW-River Falls tied for 48th with four and UW-Stout tied for 61st with two. A total of 74 teams earned points at the meet.
UW-Oshkosh’s Willy Kaul was named the Men’s Track Athlete of the Meet by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) after securing first-place finishes in two events. He claimed the 5,000-meter run for the second straight year with a time of 14:31.46 and was a member of the victorious distance medley relay team that established a championship meet record with a time of 9:56.79. Nate Stymiest, Ben Zill and Ben Wizner joined Kaul on the squad.
UW-La Crosse’s Bobby Riley won the national crown in the shot put for the third consecutive season with a heave of 57-5 1/2. He is the second individual in NCAA Division III history to secure three-straight titles in the event, joining former Eagle Terry Strauf who won the competition from 1986-88.
UW-Eau Claire’s Sam Johnson won the 35-pound weight throw with a toss of 65-0 3/4. He is the third individual in Blugold history to secure a first-place finish at the indoor meet.
The top eight finishers in each event will receive All-America honors from the USTFCCCA.
WIAC All-Americans:
55-Meter Dash: Keith Ingram (UW-Stevens Point-Fourth)
400-Meter Dash: Isiah Gray (UW-Whitewater-Fifth)
800-Meter Run: Nick Zeien (UW-River Falls-Fifth), Aron Kehoe (UW-Whitewater-Sixth)
One-Mile Run: Andrew McGuire (UW-Oshkosh-Sixth)
5,000-Meter Run: Willy Kaul (UW-Oshkosh-Champion), Dallas Vincent (UW-La Crosse-Second)
4x400-Meter Relay: UW-La Crosse (Alex Rooker, Paul Yerhot, Terrance Thigpen, Ryan Mendez-Fifth)
Distance Medley Relay: UW-Oshkosh (Nate Stymiest, Ben Zill, Ben Wizner, Willy Kaul-Champion), UW-La Crosse (Zach Wilhelmy, Paul Yerhot, Ryan Mendez, Dallas Vincent-Second)
Triple Jump: James Simms (UW-Oshkosh-Fourth)
Shot Put: Bobby Riley (UW-La Crosse-Champion), Kyle Scofield (UW-Stevens Point-Sixth), Bill Warren (UW-La Crosse-Seventh)
35-Pound Weight Throw: Sam Johnson (UW-Eau Claire-Champion), Corey Digman (UW-Platteville-Fourth), Jerry Prusinski (UW-Stevens Point-Seventh)
High Jump: Luke Buchholz (UW-Whitewater-Eighth)
Pole Vault: Mark Cufaude (UW-Stevens Point-Third), Daniel Drewek (UW-Stout-Seventh)
Pentathlon: Ben Zill (UW-Oshkosh-Fifth), Mike Dellemann (UW-Stevens Point-Seventh)
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UW-La Crosse’s Buchholtz Claims Men’s Indoor Track and Field Coach of the Year
RELEASED: Tuesday, March 3, 2009
MADISON, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse men’s indoor track and field head coach Josh Buchholtz has been named the 2009 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Coach of the Year, based on a vote of the league coaches.
Buchholtz is in his first year leading the Eagles and orchestrated the team to its eighth consecutive WIAC championship.
UW-La Crosse’s Peterson Named Men’s Indoor Track and Field Scholar-Athlete
RELEASED: Tuesday, March 3, 2009
MADISON, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s Brad Peterson has been named the 2009 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Max Sparger Men’s Indoor Track and Field Scholar-Athlete.
A native of Hartland, Wis. (Arrowhead), Peterson is a senior and is majoring in biology with a biomedical science concentration and a minor in chemistry, while boasting a 3.95 grade point average. He is a three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and has been recognized on UW-La Crosse’s Dean’s List every semester.
Peterson, a team captain this season, secured All-America honors in the distance medley relay after a second-place finish at the 2007 national meet. In 2006, he was a part of the winning 4x400-meter relay quartet at the WIAC indoor championship. Peterson was a member of the 2005 and 2006 indoor national championship squads and 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009 conference champion indoor teams.
He is involved with UW-La Crosse’s Winner’s Council and is the sixth individual in program history to win the conference’s men’s indoor track and field scholar-athlete award.
Also nominated for this year’s scholar-athlete award were: UW-Eau Claire’s Sam Johnson (Sr., Deer Park, Wis./Amery), UW-La Crosse’s Aaron Johnson (Sr., Wisconsin Dells) and UW-Platteville’s Tony Fontanini (Sr., Onalaska, Wis.), Scott Howard (Sr., Princeton, Ill.) and Tony Kilburg (Sr., Bellevue, Iowa).
The WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award is named after Max Sparger, who 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 Captures Eighth Consecutive Men’s Indoor Track and Field Title
RELEASED: Sunday, March 1, 2009
MENOMONIE, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse won its eighth consecutive Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Men’s Indoor Track and Field Championship following the conclusion of the two-day league meet at UW-Stout’s Sports & Fitness Center on March 1.
The Eagles secured the 34th WIAC crown in program history with 141.50 team points to surpass UW-Stevens Point’s second-place sum of 135.50 points. UW-Oshkosh finished third with 121 points, while UW-Whitewater was fourth with 94.50, UW-Eau Claire fifth with 85, UW-Platteville sixth with 53.50, UW-Stout seventh with 38 and UW-River Falls eighth with 29. UW-Superior also participated in the meet. The eight point margin of victory was the closest since the 1989 championship when the Titans defeated the Eagles 140.50-137.
Dave Stauder led UW-La Crosse’s effort on the second day of events after securing the high jump title with a height of 6-8 1/4.
UW-Oshkosh’s Willy Kaul was named the Track Performer of the Meet after winning the one-mile run and 3,000-meter run with times of 4:12.28 and 8:33.69, respectively. He won the 3,000-meter competition for the second straight year.
The Titans’ James Simms was victorious in the triple jump for the second straight season with a leap of 48-4 1/2. He is the first individual in WIAC history to win back-to-back titles in the event since UW-La Crosse’s Travis Horstman in 1994-95.
UW-Oshkosh’s 4x200-meter relay team of Dean Jensen, A.J. Hollanquest, Chad Churchill and Shane Diederichs posted a first-place time of 1:29.59.
UW-Whitewater had a pair of winners during the second day in Isiah Gray and Matt Kovnesky. Gray claimed the 400-meter dash with a time of 49.49, while Kovnesky earned the 800-meter run with a clocking of 1:54.43.
Gray and Kovnesky were also members of the Warhawks’ first-place 4x400-meter relay quartet with Peter Schroeder and Joe Bailey. They posted a time of 3:22.15.
UW-Stevens Point’s Keith Ingram captured the 55-meter dash and 200-meter dash with performances of 6.35 and 22.07, respectively. The Pointers’ Mike Dellemann claimed the 55-meter hurdles with a time of 7.77.
UW-Eau Claire’s Sam Johnson secured the 35-pound weight throw with a fling of 63-11 and was named the Field Performer of the Meet, while UW-La Crosse’s Brad Peterson received the WIAC Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete Award.
Named to the Larry Zirgibel All-Sportsmanship Team were: UW-Eau Claire’s Justin Janke, UW-La Crosse’s Pat Bryan, UW-Oshkosh’s Nick Katsandonis, UW-Platteville’s Mitch Spees, UW-River Falls’ Tony Casci, UW-Stevens Point’s Greg Haak, UW-Stout’s Kendall Wade, UW-Superior’s Sam Maday and UW-Whitewater’s Shaun Davis.
Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete: Brad Peterson of UW-La Crosse
Track Performer of the Meet: Willy Kaul of UW-Oshkosh
Field Performer of the Meet: Sam Johnson of UW-Eau Claire
Day Two Champions:
55-Meter Dash: Keith Ingram (UW-Stevens Point), 6.35
200-Meter Dash: Keith Ingram (UW-Stevens Point), 22.07
400-Meter Dash: Isiah Gray (UW-Whitewater), 49.49
800-Meter Run: Matt Kovnesky (UW-Whitewater), 1:54.43
One-Mile Run: Willy Kaul (UW-Oshkosh), 4:12.28
3,000-Meter Run: Willy Kaul (UW-Oshkosh), 8:33.69
55-Meter Hurdles: Mike Dellemann (UW-Stevens Point), 7.77
High Jump: Dave Stauder (UW-La Crosse), 6-8 1/4 (2.04m)
Triple Jump: James Simms (UW-Oshkosh), 48-4 1/2 (14.74m)
35-Pound Weight Throw: Sam Johnson (UW-Eau Claire), 63-11 (19.48m)
4x200-Meter Relay: UW-Oshkosh (Dean Jensen, A.J. Hollanquest, Chad Churchill, Shane Diederichs), 1:29.59
4x400-Meter Relay: UW-Whitewater (Peter Schroeder, Joe Bailey, Matt Kovnesky, Isiah Gray), 3:22.15
Titans Take Early Advantage At Men’s Indoor Track and Field Championship
RELEASED: Saturday, February 28, 2009
MENOMONIE, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh took the lead following the first day of competition at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Men’s Indoor Track and Field Championship. This year’s event is being held at UW-Stout’s Sports & Fitness Center.
The Titans, who won their most recent league crown in 2001, compiled a first-day total of 43 team points to surpass UW-Stevens Point’s second-place sum of 40 points. UW-La Crosse, the seven-time defending champion, is third with 37 points, while UW-Eau Claire is fourth with 35 points, UW-Whitewater fifth with 33.50 points, UW-Platteville sixth with 22.50 points, UW-Stout seventh with 20 points and UW-River Falls eighth with three points. UW-Superior is also participating in the meet.
UW-Oshkosh's Ben Zill won the pentathlon with 2,751 points, while the Titans’ distance medley relay quartet of Nate Symiest, Nick Katsandonis, Jared Morris and Willy Kaul posted a first-place time of 9:59.62.
UW-La Crosse’s Bobby Riley won the shot put title for the third straight year with a heave of 57-0 1/4. He is sixth individual in WIAC history to win the event three consecutive seasons.
UW-Eau Claire’s Chris Wirtz was victorious in the 5,000-meter run with a time of 14:51.48, while UW-Stout’s Daniel Drewek won the pole vault with a height of 16-5 1/2.
UW-Whitewater’s Cory Lockridge earned the long jump crown with a leap of 22-5 3/4.
Day One Champions:
5,000-Meter Run: Chris Wirtz (UW-Eau Claire), 14:51.48
Long Jump: Cory Lockridge (UW-Whitewater), 22-5 3/4 (6.85m)
Pole Vault: Daniel Drewek (UW-Stout), 16-5 1/2 (5.02m)
Shot Put: Bobby Riley (UW-La Crosse), 57-0 1/4 (17.38m)
Pentathlon: Ben Zill (UW-Oshkosh), 2,751 points
Distance Medley Relay: UW-Oshkosh (Nate Stymiest, Nick Katsandonis, Jared Morris, Willy Kaul), 9:59.62
Knudsen Named UW-Stout Track and Field Head Coach
RELEASED: Monday, January 12, 2009
MENOMONIE, Wis.--A familiar face, but maybe not a familiar name, was recently named the University of Wisconsin-Stout head coach of the men's and women's track and field teams, announced athletic director Joe Harlan.
Laura (Verdegan) Knudsen was named to succeed Josh Buchholtz, who accepted the men's track and field position at UW-La Crosse in November.
Knudsen, who recently married former Blue Devil athlete and current assistant track coach Corey Knudsen, was a 12-time track and field All-American, holds seven UW-Stout track records, was the 2004 NCAA Division III indoor triple jump champion and was the 2005 US Track & Field Coaches National Female Athlete of the Year. As a track and field competitor at Stout, Knudsen competed in at least 14 different events. Knudsen was also a standout player for the Blue Devil women's basketball team, earning all-conference honors twice, honorable mention once and all-defensive team honors three times.
An outstanding student as well as athlete, Knudsen is the only individual to have earned WIAC Scholar-Athlete honors in three sports - indoor track and field, outdoor track and field and women's basketball.
Knudsen has been an assistant track and field coach for both the men's and women's programs for three seasons and was a men's and women's assistant cross country coach for two years. During that span, Knudsen has completed her master's degree program, is a registered dietitian and has worked in the surrounding community.
"I am just thrilled for the opportunity to coach at my alma mater," Knudsen said. "I have a lot of pride for UW-Stout and am looking forward to building both our men's and women's teams to be competitive at both the conference and national levels."
"Laura has a long understanding of UW-Stout, our majors and our track and field history," Harlan said. "She has an extreme drive and competitiveness and a long history of going above and beyond to be better and the desire to transfer that into our programs with increased recruiting and related areas.
"We are excited to see what Laura can bring to our track programs over time, but her long term track record shows she has been dedicated and successful in everything."
Coaching has always been in Knudsen's career plans.
"One of the biggest reasons I pursued my master's degree was to open the door to the possibility of being a head coach at the collegiate level," Knudsen said. "To prepare for being a coach and instructor, I obtained minors in both coaching and health and fitness. As a registered dietitian, I feel I will be able to further assist our team with regards to nutrition."
The Blue Devils' first varsity meet is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 24, with an alumni meet, Friday, Jan. 23. The Blue Devils are hosting the 2009 WIAC Indoor Track and Field Championships, Feb. 28-March 1.
Knudsen Fast Facts
*Three years UW-Stout assistant track and field coach
*Two years assistant UW-Stout cross country coach
*Coached 15 all-conference women performers, two national qualifiers
*Coached three all-conference men performers, two national qualifiers
*2004 NCAA Division III indoor triple jump champion
*12-time NCAA Division III All-American
*10-time WIAC Track & Field individual champion
*2005 USTCA Female Athlete of the Year
*2005 ESPN the Magazine Academic All-American
*Qualified to 2005 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships in heptathlon (4th), long jump (8th), triple jump
*WIAC Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete (2005 outdoor, 2005 indoor, 2004 women's basketball)
*Holds or did hold nine UW-Stout track and field records
*Currently holds eight Stout records (Indoor - 4x400-meter, long jump, triple jump; Outdoor - high jump, long jump, triple jump, 400 hurdles, heptathlon)
*Four-year starter for Blue Devil women's basketball team
*Two-time all-WIAC womens' basketball, once honorable mention
*Three-time WIAC all-defensive team
*Finished basketball career with 991 points, 604 rebounds
Buchholtz Named UW-La Crosse Head Men's Track & Field Coach
RELEASED: Thursday, October 30, 2008
LA CROSSE, Wis.--The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse has named Josh Buchholtz as its head men’s track & field coach. He will also serve as an assistant cross country coach for the Eagles’ men’s and women’s squads and work in athletic administration. Buchholtz will begin his duties November 10.
“This is an very exciting time for me and my family,” said Buchholtz. “How can someone in my position not be excited. I have the opportunity to be part of the great city of La Crosse, a thriving and progressive UW-L campus community, a top-notch academic and athletic staff and I get to work with student-athletes from arguably one of the nation’s top track and field as well as cross country programs.”
Buchholtz has served as men’s track & field head coach at the University of Wisconsin-Stout since 2002. He added the women’s track & field head coaching position in 2007. The Blue Devils have had 31 NCAA Division III qualifiers on the men’s team under Buchholtz and 24 on the women’s squad. Buchholtz, who also served as a physical education instructor at UW-Stout, was the Blue Devils’ men’s cross country head coach from 2002-07.
A 2000 graduate from UW-La Crosse, Buchholtz was the Eagles’ women’s track & field assistant coach from 2000-02. He has worked as a member of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) State Track & Field Meet Administration staff and served as a meet director of four high school meets annually, including the 52-team Northern Badger Track and Field Classic. Buchholtz was Co-Meet Director of the 2003 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Cross Country Championships and 2004 WIAC Indoor Track & Field Championships.
He was the equipment manager of the physical education department at UW-Stout and handled the Blue Devils’ track & field/cross country laundry and equipment. Buchholtz is a member of the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) and was elected the 2008-09 WIAC Track & Field Sports Chair.
“Returning to the La Crosse area at some point has always been in the back of my mind and I am looking forward to making this step,” added Buchholtz. “In the short amount of time I spent with the track & field team during the interview process, I realized there is no doubt these men are ready to prove something this year. From what I gather, the attitude on the team is nothing short of pure determination. I look forward to meeting and working with each of them once I am on campus and it is time to get to the business of the upcoming season.”
The UW-La Crosse men’s track & field team won the 2008 NCAADivision III Indoor Championship and swept the WIAC Indoor and Outdoor titles last season. The Eagles’ 14 indoor, 11 outdoor and 25 overall national championships are the most in NCAA III history.
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