2011 UMAC Women’s Cross Country Preseason Coaches’ Poll
1. 49 Points - College of St. Scholastica (7 First Place Votes)
2. 42 Points - University of Minnesota, Morris (1)
3. 33 Points - North Central University
4. 27 Points - Martin Luther College
5. 24 Points - Northwestern College
6. 17 Points - Northland College
T-7. 16 Points - Bethany Lutheran College
T-7. 16 Points - Crown College
ST. PAUL -- Taking seven first place votes and 49 points in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Preseason Coaches’ Poll, the College of St. Scholastica was the unanimous choice to win the women’s cross country league title in 2011.
1. College of St. Scholastica Saints
2010 Conference Finish: 1st
St. Scholastica has dominated the UMAC over the past decade with 10 straight UMAC championships. Melissa Kempenich leads the Saints’ returnees as she finished last season strong, with a top 35 finish at the NCAA Central Region championship to earn all-region accolades. Kempenich also finished third overall at the UMAC Championships. Other All-UMAC performers back for St. Scholastica are Bre Adams and Kristen Gronbeck. Head coach Steve Pfingsten expects that about five newcomers could make an impact this season.
2. University of Minnesota, Morris Cougars
2010 Conference Finish: 2nd
Led by two-time returning champion Linda Keller, the Minnesota Morris women’s track & field team will look to get over the hump at the UMAC Championships in 2011. The Cougars notched three All-UMAC runners last season, paced by Keller who beat the field by over 30 seconds. Joining Keller in the top-15 were Julie Bonham and Gemma Miltich, who each also return in 2011. After leading the Cougars to a runner-up finish as a team at the UMAC Championships, Keller went on the place third in the Central Regional, before earning All-America honors at the NCAA Championships.
3. North Central University Rams
2010 Conference Finish: 3rd
Third place North Central will come into 2011 with many new faces but does return the fastest Ram in school history in two-time All-UMAC athlete Catherine Mead. Mead has two fourth place UMAC finishes on her resume heading into her senior year and should figure among the top runners in the conference once again in 2011. Meghan Smith is the only other Top 5 returner from the last year’s team and should push for a Top 5 spot among a solid group of first year and freshman additions. Freshmen Amanda Schexneider and Tesa Bertell will be immediate impact runners for NCU who should show up in the top five results for most of the season. Schexneider was a four-time state championship participant in Kentucky including a 36th place finish in 2010. The Rams will be young this season but should have a shot to compete for a Top 5 spot at the UMAC Championships.
4. Martin Luther College Knights
2010 Conference Finish: 6th
Martin Luther, which came in fourth place in the poll, has high expectations heading into 2011, with a number last season’s best performers returning. Captains Robin Nommensen and Heather Williams return, and will be joined by a group of returners led by Amanda Walther, Elizabeth Murry and Holly Lentz. Freshman Emilee Koltz leads a group of incoming freshmen who will be looking to make an impact this season.
5. Northwestern College Eagles
2010 Conference Finish: 4th
Northwestern finished in the middle of the pack at last year’s UMAC Championship and will look to better its score as the team prepares for the 2011 conference championship race. The Eagles will have plenty of new faces at this year’s championship, as Marit Stutrud and Samantha Wong are the only point-scoring individuals remaining from last year’s squad. Stutrud placed 16th in the 2010 championship with a 6k run of 26:13. Wong came in 33rd at Chequamegon Bay Golf Club last year. Marie Abeler is the only other senior besides Stutrud, meaning a young squad that includes five freshmen will get plenty of experience.
6. Northland College LumberJills
2010 Conference Finish: 5th
Sixth place Northland College will be led by Alissa Stutte. Others on the team that will be bringing their experience are Katherine Boyke and Hannah Fanney. This is definitely a building year and the key to our success will be the depth of the team.
T-7. Bethany Lutheran College Vikings
2010 Conference Finish: 8th
The Bethany Lutheran women’s cross country team is excited to hit the ground running with roster numbers up from a year before. Look for the three incoming freshmen to have an immediate impact, all of whom had successful cross country careers in high school. Four veterans come back ready to build where they left off, including the Vikings top two runners in Breanne Perlwitz, and Breanna Londgren. With a solid foundation and the addition of talented recruits the team should propel forward to the next level.
T-7. Crown College Storm
2010 Conference Finish: 7th
Crown will look to improve upon their seventh place conference finish in 2010. Returning runners include captain Erika Stampfl, Hannah Dean, Natalie Merboth, and Aubrey Huss. New runners are Mubeena Ali, Sarah Graham, Alecia Johnson, Erin Kossan, Rebekah Nolan, and Tiffany Sinclair. “Our women’s team will have a brand new look from a year ago”, said head coach Rick Peterson. “We’re delighted to have Stampfl back after missing last year with a stress fracture. Dean and Merboth had very strong seasons last year.”
All eight teams will run in various races throughout September and October before meeting at Minneopa Golf Course in Mankato, Minn. for the 2011 UMAC Championship Race on October 29.