St. Scholastica takes seven of 12 all-conference awards in women's cross country
ST. PAUL – The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) recognized its women’s cross country all-conference list on Monday following Saturday’s conference championship race. The top 12 performers from Saturday were awarded with UMAC All-Conference recognition.
The College of St. Scholastica dominated the all-conference list, landing seven honorees amongst the top 12. The Saints placed six runners in the race’s top 10 to post a team score of 30 points, which easily won the race. University of Minnesota Morris’ Linda Keller earned individual champion honors after completing the six kilometer course in 22:04, averaging 5:55-per-minute miles.
Following St. Scholastica’s seven all-conference entries was a pair of runners from Martin Luther College. Minnesota Morris, North Central University and Northwestern College each had one All-UMAC honoree.
St. Scholastica head coach Steve Pfingsten was chosen as the UMAC Coach of the Year. Pfingsten’s Saints have won the UMAC Championship in each of the last 11 years.
Martin Luther College won the team sportsmanship award, an accolade that is selected by the UMAC coaches to best represent sportsmanship throughout the entire 2011 season, which includes the championship event. Each team had one representative on the individual sportsmanship award list. The following participants best exemplified sportsmanship at the championship race:
Marta Krause, Bethany Lutheran College
Melissa Kempenich, College of St. Scholastica
Erika Stamfl, Crown College
Robin Nommensen, Martin Luther College
Becca Armstrong, North Central University
Katherine Boyk, Northland College
Rachel Smith, Northwestern College
Christina Montanez, University of Minnesota Morris
2011 UMAC All-Conference Recipients:
Linda Keller, University of Minnesota Morris
Catherine Mead, North Central University
Chelsea Johnson, College of St. Scholastica
Robin Nommensen, Martin Luther College
Kristen Gronbeck, College of St. Scholastica
Shannon Guse, College of St. Scholastica
Kayla Roberge, College of St. Scholastica
Emilee Kolz, Martin Luther College
Molly Burgstahler, College of St. Scholastica
Izzy Plantenberg, College of St. Scholastica
Allie Hadley, Northwestern College
JaNae Pahlin, College of St. Scholastica