Quick Facts - University of North Dakota Athletics

QUICK FACTS 

Table of Contents 

General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 

Athletics Department Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 

Quick Facts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 

Coaches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3 

2008 Cross Country Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 

2008 Cross Country Roster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 

2008 Cross Country Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-7 

2009 Track and Field Preview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 

2009 Track and Field Roster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 

2008-09 Athlete Profiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-17 

Record Holders & Champions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18-19 

UND Track and Field Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20-22 

Top Ten Times . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23-25 

All-Time All-Americans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26-32 

Cross Country Honor Roll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 

Track & Field Honor Roll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34-35 

Where Are They Now? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 

University of North Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .UND-1-16 

Track & Field Quick Facts 

Location: Grand Forks, North Dakota 

Founded: 1883 

Enrollment: 12,748 (Fall 2008) 

Nickname: Fighting Sioux 

School Colors: Kelly Green and White 

National Affiliation: NCAA Division I 

Conference: Great West 

Track: Memorial Stadium 

Built: 1927 

President: Dr. Robert Kelley 

Athletic Director: Brian Faison 

Faculty Representative: Sue Jeno 

Head Coach: Dick Clay 

Years at UND: 24th season 

Clay’s Office Phone: 701-777-2979 

Assistant Coaches: Crystal Cummins, Lisa Rollefstad 

2008 GWC Cross Country Finish: 3rd 

2008 Cross Country Team Captains: Lori Benke, Mandi Gefroh 

2008-09 Team Captains: Jessica Clausnitzer, Kristi Dahlheimer, Kate 

LaRoche 

2008 NCC Finish Indoor: 6th 

2008 NCAA Finish Indoor: 26th 

2008 NCC Finish Outdoor:5th 

2008 NCAA Finish Outdoor:26th 

2008 National Champion: Heidi Evans (outdoor; 1,500-meter run) 

2008 All-American: Jessica Clausnitzer (indoor and outdoor; pole 

vault), Heidi Evans (outdoor, 1,500-meter run, Kate LaRoche (indoor; 

pole vault) 

Credits 

The 2008-09 University of North Dakota women’s track and 

field/cross country media and recruiting guide was written by Tracy 

Jentz with assistance from Jayson Hajdu, Matt Schill and Dick Clay. 

Cover Design 

Covers designed by Fine Print, Inc., Grand Forks, with assistance 

from Matt Schill. 

Athletic Department Directory 

(area code 701) 

Brian Faison, Director of Athletics ............................................777-2234 

Daniella Irle, Associate AD/SWA .............................................777-4036 

Sean Johnson, Associate AD/External Operations ....................777-2210 

Scott Herring, Associate AD/Chief Financial Officer ...............777-3481 

Mike Schepp, Assistant AD/Operations.....................................777-3100 

Kara Helmig, Assistant AD/Compliance ...................................777-5585 

Steve Brekke, Director of Athletic Development...................... 777-6426 

Josh Morton, Fighting Sioux Club Director ................. ............777-4216 

Bridget Drummer, Dir. of Academic Services ...........................777-2110 

Lisa Persuitti, Dir. of Marketing & Promotions .......................777-2237 

Jayson Hajdu, Dir. of Media Relations......................................777-2986 

Matt Schill, New Media Editor..................................................777-2668 

Deb Beiswenger, Assistant Business Manager ..........................777-3366 

Mia Lucking, Administrative Assistant......................................777-2794 

Bev Hopman, Office Manager...................................................777-2713 

Box Office..................................................................................777-4689 

Media Relations Office 

Director of Media Relations: Jayson Hajdu............................777-2985 

E-mail Address: jaysonhajdu@mail.und.nodak.edu 

Intern/Track & Field Contact: Tracy Jentz.. ..........................777-6743 

E-mail Address: tracy.jentz@und.edu 

Media Relations Fax:...............................................................777-4352 

Athletic Web Page: www.fightingsioux.com 

Mailing Address: 

UND Athletics 

Hyslop Sports Center Room 120 

2751 2nd Ave., North Stop 9013 

Grand Forks, N.D. 58202 

Athletic Training Staff 

Head Athletic Trainer: Steve Westereng............... ..................777-3886 

Physical Therapists: 

Robin Paine, ATC, PT................................................................777-4845 

Cathy Ziegler, ATC, PT..............................................................777-4846 

Strength & Conditioning Staff 

Director of Strength & Conditioning: Nate Baukol...............777-4035 

Assistant Director: Quinn Peterson..........................................777-2063 

Assistant Director: Aaron Schwenzfeier..................................777-3933 

Assistant Director: Matt Yow...................................................777-3933 

Photo Credits 

Current team action photos by Kory Wallen. Current team mug shots by 

Kory Wallen and Matt Schill. Other photos are UND Athletics file photos. 

Printed By 

Fine Print, Inc., Grand Forks 

1

COACH DICK CLAY 

Dick 

Clay 

Head Coach 

24th Season 

Dick Clay, the 2007 NCC 

women’s outdoor track and field 

coach of the year, 2006 North 

Central Conference Cross 

Country Coach of the Year and 

2000 NCAA Division II National Indoor Track & Field Coach of 

the Year, is in his 24th season as head coach of the Sioux 

women’s cross country and track teams. 

In May 2008, Clay coached Heidi Evans to a national title in the 

1,500-meter run at the Division II national championships. With 

the title, Evans became the second individual women’s track & 

field national champion in UND school history and the first 

Fighting Sioux women’s outdoor champion. The other UND 

women’s track national individual title came in 1994, when former 

UND runner Marie Crep won an NCAA national title in the 

800-meter run in the NCAA Division II indoor championships. 

In the 24 years Clay has been at UND, he has established a program 

that is respected for its success in the North Central 

Conference and at the national level in NCAA Division II Cross 

Country and Track & Field. Clay was named the 1988 NCC 

Coach of the Year in outdoor track. He was voted the 2000 

NCC Indoor Track Coach of the Year and the 2000 Regional 

Indoor Track Coach of the Year. He was also named North 

Central Conference Cross Country Coach of the Year in 1992, 

1994 and 2001 and North Central Regional Cross Country 

Coach of the Year in 1991, 1994 and 1999. 

Under Clay’s leadership, UND won the 1992, 1994, 1996, 2001 

and 2006 North Central Conference Cross Country 

Championship and the 1994 North Central Region title. The 

2000 cross country team placed second in the NCAA national 

championships. The runner-up finish was the highest for a UND 

cross country team. Since 1991, the Sioux have made 12 team 

appearances in the NCAA national cross country meet. The 

Sioux have posted team finishes of fifth place or higher in the 

NCAA National meet seven times including five fourth-place 

finishes. In track and field, UND’s highest team finishes came 

in 1993 and 1994 when the Sioux placed fifth and sixth respectively 

at the NCAA Indoor National Track & Field 

Championships. Clay has coached Sioux track and cross country 

athletes to over 80 individual All-America finishes since 1987. 

Clay came to UND from Central Missouri State where he served 

two years as head coach of the men’s and women’s cross country 

team and the women’s track team. In 1984, Clay’s Central 

Missouri State track and field team claimed a 10th-place finish at 

the NCAA Championships. 

A native of Dawson, Minn., Clay graduated from St. Cloud State 

in 1982 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education. He went 

on to earn a master’s degree from St. Cloud State in 1983. A 

four-year track and cross country letterwinner and team captain 

for the Huskies, Clay qualified for the Division II cross country 

championships in 1978, 1979, and 1980. 

Clay served on the NCAA Track and Field Subcommittee and 

the NCAA Track and Cross Country Rules Committee from 

1999-2004. He is a past president of the NCAA Division II 

Track Coaches Association and served on the U.S. Track 

Coaches Association Board of Directors from 1995-1997. Clay 

was also the coordinator of the NCAA Division II Track and 

Field Hall of Fame from 1996-2003. 

A certified USATF Level I Track and Field Coach, Clay was 

honored by his peers when he was awarded the Distinguished 

Service Award by the NCAA Cross Country Coaches 

Association in 1992 and again in 2007. In 1996, Clay received 

the Distinguished Service Award from the NCAA Track 

Coaches Association. 

2 

Coach Clay looks on as the Fighting Sioux prepare for a cross 

country meet.

ASSISTANT COACHES 

CRYSTAL 

CUMMINS 

Nate 

Assistant Coach 

1st Season 

Crystal Cummins enters her first year 

with the women’s Fighting Sioux track 

and field team after previously serving 

as an assistant coach for both men’s 

and women’s track and field at 

Minnesota State University, Moorhead 

during the 2005-2006 season. At MSUM, she coached jumps and 

helped lead the Dragon women to a Northern Sun Intercollegiate 

Conference championship in 2006. 

Cummins attended North Dakota State University where she was 

a member of the 2001 women’s indoor national championship 

team. During her track and field career with the Bison, Cummins 

was as a 10-time NCAA Division II All-American in the high 

jump, long jump, and triple jump. In 2003, Cummins was the 

North Central Conference’s high jump champion and also received 

regional athlete of the year honors. Cummins is also a USATF 

Level I certified track and field coach. 

Cummins graduated from NDSU with a degree in political science 

in 2003 and is a 1998 graduate of Fargo South High School. 

Baukol 

Strength & Conditioning 

Coach 

Nate Baukol is in his third season as 

UND’s director of strength and conditioning, 

and seventh season overall at 

UND. 

Baukol served as assistant strength 

and conditioning coach at UND from 

2002 to 2005 before taking a similar position at the University of 

Wyoming in May 2006. 

A native of Moorhead, Minn., Baukol graduated from Minnesota 

State Moorhead in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science. 

He received his master’s degree in kiniesiology from UND 

in 2004. 

Baukol is a certified strength coach through the Collegiate 

Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association and the National 

Strength and Conditioning Association. He is also a certified 

Level I Olympic lifting club coach. 

Baukol’s family includes his wife, Jennifer, and their daughter, 

Emma. 

Lisa 

ROLLEFSTAD 

Assistant Coach 

3rd Season 

Lisa Rollefstad is entering her third 

year with the Fighting Sioux track and 

field team. 

Rollefstad previously worked at Ferris 

State University as men’s and women’s 

assistant track and field/cross country. Rollefstad has had five All- 

Americans under her direction. 

Rollefstad was a graduate assistant coach at Bemidji (Minn.) State 

University during the 2001-2002 athletics season and helped the 

Beavers to a third-place men’s finish and a fifth-place women’s 

ranking at the 2002 NSIC outdoor track and field championships. 

Prior to Bemidji State, Rollefstad was the girls basketball coach 

and assistant track and field coach in 2000-2001 at Lakota (N.D.) 

High School. From 1998-2000, she assisted with the track and 

field programs at UND, coaching the sprints, hurdles, pole vault 

and relay events. 

Rollefstad was a two-time NAIAAll-American track and field performer 

in the sprinting events at the University of Mary. She graduated 

from Mary in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education 

and received her master’s degree in sports studies at 

Bemidji State in 2007. Rollefstad is a 1993 graduate of Cavalier 

High School. 

Heidi 

Evans 

Volunteer Assistant Coach 

A four-time All-American (indoor 

track, outdoor track, cross country) 

and reigning NCAA Division II 

National Champion in the 1,500-meter 

run, Heidi Evans is in her first season 

as a volunteer assistant coach with the 

men’s and women’s track and field. 

Evans earned nine letters in three different sports (track and field, 

cross country and volleyball) at UND. She holds the school record 

in the 1,500-meter with a time of 4:24.66. She was UND’s North 

Central Conference Female Honor Athlete in 2008 and UND’s 

Grace Rhonemus Female Athlete of the Year in 2006-07. In 2008, 

Evans was a recipient of a NCAA post-graduate scholarship. 

A native of Roseau, Minn., Evans graduated from UND last May 

with a degree in physical education and exercise science. 

3

‘08 CROSS COUNTRY REVIEW 

The 2008 cross country season found the UND women’s cross country team transitioning on a variety of levels. In their first season in Division 

I and as a member of the Great West Conference, the Fighting Sioux also found themselves with an even mix of returners and newcomers. The 

balance, however, between the old and the new proved to be successful for UND, as the Fighting Sioux, found themselves running among the 

highest caliber athletes this season. 

The Fighting Sioux kicked off the season at the Northern State Roe Granger Invitational. Fighting Sioux junior Brittany Brenny took first 

place at the meet, leading the Fighting Sioux women to a first place tie in the five-team meet. Brenny, a Staples, Minn. native, completed the 

race in a time of 23:05, a full 31 seconds faster than the second place finisher. Kristi Dahlheimer (Jr., Anoka, Minn.) finished the 6k race in 

a time of 24:04 for sixth place, while senior Mandy Gefroh (Bismarck, N.D.) crossed the line seven seconds later for seventh place. Newcomer 

Katherine Enabnit (Carmichael, Calif.) completed the race in a time of 24:12 for ninth place. 

2008 TEAM AWARDS 

Most Valuable - Brittany Brenny 

Most Improved - Mandy Gefroh 

A pair of freshman, Emily Emerson (Fr., Lino Lakes, Minn.) and Meghan 

Enabnit (Carmichael, Calif.), finished the meet under the 25 minute mark, 

Emerson taking 13th (24:40) and Enabnit finishing 15th (24:44). Lori 

Benke (Jr., Jamestown, N.D.) turned in a time of 25:31 for 24th place, while 

Natika Baker (Jr., New Town, N.D.) took 28th (26:01), Angela Kumm 

(Fr., Hutchinson, Minn.) finished in 31st (26:14) and Meg O’Brien completed 

the race 53rd (32:25). 

UND then returned home to play host to the annual Ron Pynn Invitational. For the second straight week, Brenny and the Fighting Sioux found 

themselves at the top of the standings. UND took first place at the 5k meet, with Brenny setting the pace with her first place finish in a time 

of 18:42. Brenny was joined in the top 15 territory by Emerson (4th - 19:11), Dahlheimer (6th - 19:18), Gefroh (9th - 19:31)and K. Enabnit 

(13th - 19:53). 

After a weekend off, the Fighting Sioux took to the road, heading to South Dakota for a pair of meets in the following weeks. First up on the 

schedule was the South Dakota State Classic, which featured top ranked Division I teams in the University of Nebraska and the University of 

Minnesota. The Fighting Sioux fought to a seventh place team finish at the meet. Brenny once again led the UND pack, running the course in 

a time of 18:46 to take 19th in a field of 161 runners. Brenny was joined in the top 50 by a pair of teammates. Emerson placed 27th with a time 

of 19 minutes even, Gefroh captured 40th with her time of 19:20. 

UND finished out South Dakota travel on Oct. 10th at the Tim Young Invitational, which was 

hosted by the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. Brenny earned the runner-up finish at 

the meet, running the course in a time of 18:45.23. Brenny was joined in top ten territory by 

a trio of Sioux teammates. Gefroh was the next UND runner to cross the finish line, placing 

fourth with a time of 19:18.00. Emerson and Dahlheimer finished in sixth (19:35.31) and seventh 

(19:48.21) places, respectively, at the meet. 

The Fighting Sioux returned to action on Oct. 18th to participate in the Tori Neubauer Invite, 

which was hosted by the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse in West Salem, Wis. UND was once 

again led by Brenny, who placed 10th among 444 participants and led the Fighting Sioux to a 

ninth-place finish. Brenny ran the 6k course in 22:13.9 to pace the Fighting Sioux for the fifth 

time in as many meets this season. Brenny was met in the top 50 by Gefroh (35th - 22:51.1) and 

Emerson (50th - 23:08.4). 

Also among UND’s top five runners were Dahlheimer, who clocked in at 23:38.2 to finish 82nd, 

and Enabnit, who ran in the race in a time of 23:48.5 to finish 99th. 

The Fighting Sioux completed their season at the Great West Conference Championship, which 

was held in Orem, Utah. The Fighting Sioux earned a third place team finish at the meet, and 

were led by Brenny, Gefroh and Emerson, each of whom claimed All-Great West Conference 

honors at the meet. Brenny and Gefroh finished fourth and fifth, respectively, to garner first 

team all-conference nods, while Emerson placed 12th to grab a spot on the second team. 

Brenny ran the race in a time of 23:21.1, while Gefroh posted a time of 23:53.8 and Emerson 

clocked in at 24:29.7. Katherine and Meghan Enabnit, who placed 18th and 20th, respectively, 

in the race gave UND five runners in the top 20. Dahlheimer finished 22nd, Baker placed 34th 

and Benke finished the race 36th to round out the UND finishers. 

At the conclusion of the season, it was announced that Benke and Dahlheimer were named to 

the 2008 Fall Academic All-Great West Conference team. Dahlheimer was one of of the 

five Great West Conference student-athletes to boast cumulative 4.0 grade point average. 

Mandy Gefroh 

4

‘08 CROSS COUNTRY ROSTER 

Fighting Sioux Women - Cross Country Roster 

Name Cl. Hometown/Previous School 

Natika Baker Jr. New Town, N.D./New Town High School 

Lori Benke Jr. Jamestown, N.D./Jamestown High School 

Brittany Brenny Jr. Staples, Minn./University of Minnesota 

Kristi Dahlheimer Jr. Anoka, Minn./Anoka High School 

Emily Emerson Fr. Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial High School 

Katherine Enabnit Fr. Carmichael, Calif./St. Francis High School 

Meghan Enabnit Fr. Carmichael, Calif./St. Francis High School 

Mandy Gefroh Sr. Bismarck, N.D./Bismarck High School 

Angela Kumm Fr. Hutchinson, Minn./Hutchinson High School 

Meg O’Brien Fr. Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North High School 

The 2008 women’s cross country team celebrates its first place team finish at the annual Ron Pynn Invitational by taking a photo with Ron 

Pynn (sixth from left) and head coach Clay (first from right). 

5

CROSS COUNTRY RESULTS 

2008 MEET RESULTS 

Date Meet Distance Location Points Place Top UND Runner 

Sept. 12 Northern State 6K Aberdeen, S.D. 36 1st (tie) Brenny/1st 

Roe Granger Invitational 

Sept. 19 Ron Pynn 5K Ray Richards GC 33 1st Brenny/1st 

Grand Forks, N.D. 

Oct. 4 South Dakota State Classic 5K Edgebbrook GC 185 7th Brenny/19th 

Brookings, S.D. 

Oct. 10 Tim Young Invitational 5K Vermillion, S.D. Non-scoring -- Brenny/2nd 

Don Maker Memorial GC 

Oct. 18 UW-La Crosse 6K West Salem, Wis. 250 9th Brenny/10th 

Tori Neubauer Invite 

Maple Grove GC 

Nov. 1 Great West Conference 6K Orem, Utah 58 3rd Brenny/4th 

Championship 

( l-r) Brittany Brenny & Lori Benke 

6

CROSS COUNTRY RESULTS 

Time 

2008 INDIVIDUAL RESULTS 

Place 

Time Place 

Time 

Place 

Natika Baker 

Northern State 26:01 28th 

Ron Pynn Invite 20:34 25th 

SDSU Classic DNR 

Tim Young Invite 21:33.82 26th 

UW-LaCrosse Invite 24:39.8 181st 

Great West Champ. 26:28.6 34th 

Lori Benke 


Ron Pynn Invite 20:47 31st 

SDSU Classic 20:29 86th 


UW-LaCrosse Invite 24:17.2 143rd 


Brittany Brenny 

Northern State 23:05 1st 



Tim Young Invite 18:54.23 2nd 

UW-LaCrosse Invite 22:13.9 10th 


Kristi Dahlheimer 



SDSU Classic 19:43 53rd 


UW-LaCrosse Invite 23:38.2 82nd 

Great West Champ. 25:01.8 22nd 

Emily Emerson 







Katherine Enabnit 



SDSU Classic 20:09 73rd 




Meghan Enabnit 







Mandy Gefroh 







Angela Kumm 

Northern State 26:14 31st 



Tim Young Invite 20:59.23 22nd 


Great West Champ. DNR 

Meg O’Brien 

Northern State 32:25 53rd 

Ron Pynn Invite DNR 

SDSU Classic DNR 

Tim Young Invite DNR 

UW-LaCrosse Invite DNR 

Great West Champ. DNR 

Emily Emerson 

7

8 

‘09 TRACK AND FIELD PREVIEW 

After a successful 2008 campaign, including a 26th place finish at both the NCAA Division II indoor and outdoor championships 

last season, the Fighting Sioux find themselves in unfamiliar territory. This season marks the track and field 

team’s first season in both Division I competition as a member of the Great West Conference. 

Although the team can be considered young, there is a wealth of experience to go around. Led by Dick Clay, who is in 

his 24th season as head coach, the Fighting Sioux will embark on the season with a good mix of experience and incoming 

talent. 

Jumps/Hurdles 

This is an area of strength for the Fighting Sioux, as they return three upper classmen to the pole vault event. UND will 

look to All-Americans Jessica Clausnitzer (Sr, Bismarck, N.D.) and 

Kate LaRoche (Jr., Faribault, Minn.), along with Minot, N.D. native 

Kayla Pfau, to set the pace in the jumping events. Last season, 

Clausnitzer took fifth place in the pole vault at the NCAA Division II 

Indoor Championships and tied for eighth place in the event at the 

NCAA Outdoor Championships. LaRoche earned her All-America honors 

last season after finishing in eighth place at the NCAA 

Championships. 

The Fighting Sioux will have a handful of student-athletes competing in 

both the jumping and sprinting events hand-in-hand this season. Clay 

believes that the long and triple jumps will be a strength for the team, as 

the incoming group works hard and are committed to personal improvement. 

Jessica Clausnitzer 

Clausnitzer will also pull double-duty for the Fighting Sioux, competing 

in the hurdle events in addition to the pole 

vault. Clausnitzer, the reigning NCC Indoor Champion in the 60-meter hurdles, finished 

third in the 100-meter hurdles at the NCC Outdoor Championships last season. Clausnitzer 

will be joined by Jessica Butler (So., Grand Rapids, Minn.), who finished fourth in the 60- 

meter hurdles at the NCC Indoor Championships, while finishing seventh in the 100-meter 

hurdles last year at the Outdoor Championships. 

Distance 

A trio of student-athletes in senior Mandi Gefroh (Bismarck, N.D.) and juniors Kristi 

Dahlheimer (Anoka, Minn.) and Brittany Brenny (Staples, Minn.) will look to take the 

Fighting Sioux to the top in the long distance events. All three student-athletes are coming 

off a strong cross country campaign, in addition to Dahlheimer finished third and Gefroh 

placing seventh in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the NCC Outdoor Championships. 

Competing in the mid-distance events are a trifecta of freshman. Emily Emerson (Lino 

Lakes, Minn.), who placed second last season in the mile run at the Minnesota state championships, 

will be joined by Katherine Enabnit and Meghan Enabnit (Carmichael, 

Calif.) in the 800-1,500 meter events this season. 

Throws 

This will be an area of development for the Fighting Sioux this season. Three freshman, 

Brooke Biederstedt (Dickinson, N.D.), Ashley Gierke (Valley City, N.D.) and Samantha 

Cheri Boyer 

Underhill (Brainerd, Minn.) are in the process of learning new events, yet they find themselves 

ahead of learning curve. The Fighting Sioux believe the transition from indoor-to-outdoor will give a chance for 

this group to showcase their talents.

‘09 TRACK AND FIELD ROSTER 

Name Yr. Event Hometown (High School) 

Tika Baker Jr. Distance New Town, N.D./New Town HS 

Lori Benke Jr. Distance Jamestown, N.D./Jamestown HS 

Brooke Biederstedt Fr. Throws Dickinson, N.D./Dickinson HS 

Cheri Boyer Fr. Sprints Barney, N.D./Wyndmere HS 

Brittany Brenny Jr. Distance Staples, Minn./Staples-Motley HS 

Jessica Butler So. Sprints/Jumps Grand Rapids, Minn./Grand Rapids HS 

Sara Carpenter Jr. Sprints/Jumps Grand Forks, N.D./Red River HS 

Jessica Clausnitzer Sr. Jumps/Hurdles Bismarck, N.D./Century HS 

Kristi Dahlheimer Sr. Distance Ramsey, Minn./Anoka HS 

Emily Emerson Fr. Distance Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial HS 

Katherine Enabnit Fr. Distance Carmichael, Calif./St. Francis HS 

Meghan Enabnit Fr. Distance Carmichael, Calif./St. Francis HS 

Rachael Fashant So. Hurdles Apple Valley, Minn./Eastview HS 

Sarah Fegley So. Sprints/Jumps Berthold, N.D./Bishop Ryan HS 

Alexis Gauwitz Fr. Sprints/Jumps Bemidji, Minn./Bemidji HS 

Mandy Gefroh Sr. Distance Bismarck, N.D./Bismarck HS 

Ashley Gierke Fr. Throws Valley City, N.D./Valley City HS 

Mikaela Hirst Fr. Sprints/Hurdles Bismarck, N.D./Century HS 

Taryn Kautz Fr. Throws Crooks, S.D./Tri-Valley HS 

Angela Kumm Fr. Distance Hutchinson, Minn./Hutchinson HS 

Kate LaRoche Jr. Jumps Faribault, Minn./Faribault HS 

Kayla Pfau Jr. Jumps Minot, N.D./Minot HS 

Alexandra May-Fraser Fr. Jumps Helena, Mont./Helena HS 

Joanna Ongstad So. Jumps New Richmond, Wis./New Richmond HS 

Maria Sundsted Fr. Sprints/Jumps Westby, Mont./Westby HS 

Samantha Underhill Fr. Throws Brainerd, Minn./Brainerd HS 

Jessica Clausnitzer 

9

SIOUX SENIORS/JUNIORS 

Jessica 

Claus 

usnitzer 

Two-Time All-American 

Sr. - Bismarck, N.D. - Hurdles/Pole Vault - Chinese Studies 

2008: Placed fifth place in the pole vault at the NCAA Division II Indoor Championships ... Tied for eighth place 

in the pole vault at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships ... NCC indoor champion in the 60-meter hurdles 

... Finished third in the 100-meter hurdles at the NCC Outdoor Championships ... Tied for fifth in the pole 

vault at the NCC Indoor Championships ... Named to the USTFCCCA Women’s All-Academic Track and Field 

Team, the NCC Commissioner’s Academic Indoor Track & Field Honor Roll and the NCC Commissioner’s 

Academic Outdoor Track & Field Honor Roll ... 2007: Provisional national qualifier in the pole vault ... Set the 

school record in both the pole vault and 100-meter hurdles ... Finished second in the pole vault and fifth in the 60-meter hurdles at the 

NCC indoor championships ... Finished second in the pole vault and fifth in the 100-meter hurdles at the NCC Outdoor Championships 

... 2006: Provisional national qualifier in the pole vault ... Placed fourth in the hurdles and sixth in the pole vault at the NCC indoor 

meet ... Placed second in the pole vault at the NCC outdoor meet ... Before UND: A 2005 graduate of Century High School in 

Bismarck, ND ... Earned four varsity letters in track and one in diving ... Three-time most valuable athlete in track, two-time heart award 

... Most improved diver ... Member of 2005 state championship track team, school record in 100 meter hurdles, two time state pole vault 

champion ... Received President’s Education Award. 

Mandy 

Gefroh 

Sr. - Bismarck, N.D. - Cross Country/Distance - Pre-Medicine (Biology/Psychology) 

2008: Took fifth place at the Great West Conference Cross Country Championships, earning all-conference 

honors ... Named to the Great West Conference All-Academic Team ... Finished seventh in the 3,000-meter 

steeplechase at the NCC Outdoor Championships ... Named to the NCC Commissioner’s Academic Indoor 

Track & Field Honor Roll and the NCC Commissioner’s Academic Outdoor Track & Field Honor Roll ... 2007: 

Competed in the NCAA Division II national meet ... Finished seventh in the 5,000-meter and ninth in the 3,000- 

meter at the NCC Indoor Championships ... Finished fifth in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and sixth in the 

5,000-meter run at the NCC Outdoor Championships ... Named USTCCCA All-Academic cross country ... Finished 21st at the NCC 

cross country championships and 51st at the North Central Regional ... 2006: Placed eighth in the 3,000-meter run at the NCC Outdoor 

Championships ... Placed fourth in the distance medley at the NCC indoor meet ... Named to the USTCCCA All-Academic cross country 

team ... Competed in the NCAA national cross country meet ... 2005: Competed in four cross country meets ... Before UND: A 

2005 graduate of Bismarck High School in Bismarck, ND ... Earned four varsity letters in cross country and track and three in hockey 

... Three-time all-state performer competitor in the 1,600- and 3,200-meter run in high school ... Three-time all-state in cross-country, 

two time member of women’s 4x400 championship team ... North Dakota state women’s hockey all-second team, and winner of Tiffany 

Alkanls Award ... National Honor Society junior and senior year. 

Natik 

tika 

Baker 

Jr. - New Town, N.D. - Cross Country/Distance - Communications 

2008: Finished 34th at the Great West Conference Cross Country Championships ... 2008: Member of the seventh 

place 4x400 meter relay at the NCC Indoor Championships ... 2007: Member of the sixth-place distance 

medley relay at the NCC Indoor Championships ... Competed in six cross country meets ... Finished 26th at 

the NCC Championships and 83rd at the North Central Regional ... 2006: Competed in five cross country meets 

... Placed 35th at the NCC meet ... Member of the NCC championship team ... Before UND: A 2006 graduate 

of New Town High School ... Six-time letterwinner in both track and cross country ... Four-year letterwinner 

in basketball ... Earned five all-state cross country honors and six all-region cross country honors. 

10

SIOUX JUNIORS 

Lori 

Benke 

Jr. - Jamestown, N.D.- Cross Country/Distance - Communications Sciences & Disorders 

2008: Finished 36th at the Great West Conference Cross Country Championships ... 2008: Took eighth in the 

800-meter run and was a member of the seventh place 4x400 meter relay at the NCC Indoor Championships 

... Named to the NCC Commissioner’s Academic Indoor Track & Field Honor Roll and the NCC 

Commissioner’s Academic Outdoor Track & Field Honor Roll ... 2007: Finished eighth in the 800-meter run 

and was a member of the sixth-place distance medley relay at the NCC Indoor Championships ... Competed 

in five cross country meets ... Finished 51st at the NCC Championships ... 2006: Placed 13th at the NCC 

Championships ... Member of the NCC championship team and the NCAA national team ... Before UND: A 

2006 graduate of Jamestown High School ... A six-time letterwinner in both cross country and track ... An all-conference selection from 

2001-05 ... all-state in 2005 ... Member of the state champion 4x800 relay in 2005 and 2006 ... Third-place finish in the 800-meter run 

at state meet ... Held a 4.0 grade point average ... Member of National Honor Society. 

Brittany 

Brenny 

Jr. - Staples, Minn.- Cross Country/Distance - Pre-Physical Therapy/Exercise Science 

2008: Took fourth place at the Great West Conference Cross Country Championships, earning all-conference 

honors ... Named to the Great West Conference All-Academic team ... Was the top UND finisher in all six cross 

country meets ... Before UND: A 2005 graduate of Staples/Motley High School ... Six-time letterwinner in 

cross country and track and field ... All-state participate throughout high school in cross country and track and 

field ... Class Salutatorian ... Member of the National Honor Society. 

Sara 

Carpente 

nter 

Jr. - Grand Forks, n.D. - Sprints/Jumps - Nursing 

2008: Finished 11th in the long jump and 13th in the triple jump at the NCC Outdoor Championships ... 

Finished 12th in the triple jump at the NCC Indoor Championships ... Named to the NCC Commissioner’s 

Academic Indoor Track & Field Honor Roll and the NCC Commissioner’s Academic Outdoor Track & Field 

Honor Roll ... 2007: Finished 14th in the long jump at the NCC Indoor Championships ... Finished 14th in the 

triple jump at the NCC Outdoor Championships ... Was a member of the seventh place 4x100-meter relay at 

the NCC Outdoor Championships ... Before UND: A 2006 graduate of Red River High School ... Earned two 

varsity letters in soccer and in track ... Co-captain of soccer team ... Member of National Honor Society. 

11

SIOUX JUNIORS 

Kristi 

Dahlheime 

imer 

Jr. - Anoka, Minn. - Cross Country/Distance - Pre-Physical Therapy 

2008: Finished 22nd at the Great West Conference Cross Country Championship ... 2008: Finished third in the 

3,000-meter steeplechase and 10th in the 3,000-meter run at the NCC Outdoor Championships ... Named to the 

NCC Commissioner’s Academic Outdoor Track & Field Honor Roll ... 2007: Finished 40th at the NCC Cross 

Country Championships and 86th at the North Central Regional, qualifying for the NCAA Division II national 

meet ... Finished second in the 800-meter run and was a member of the sixth-place 1,600-meter relay team 

at the NCC Indoor Championships ... Finished sixth in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and seventh in the 3,000- 

meter run at the NCC Outdoor Championships ... 2006: Placed 21st at the NCC Cross Country meet ... Member 

of the NCC championship team and the NCAA national team ... Before UND: A 2006 graduate of Anoka High School ... Lettered four 

times in track and one time in cross country ... A five-year letterwinner in nordic skiing and two-time letterwinner in soccer ... All-conference 

honorable mention for track in 2005 ... All-conference selection in track for 2006 ... All-conference honorable mention for 

nordic skiing in 2001 ... All-conference selection in nordic skiing from 2002-06 ... An all-state selection in nordic skiing in 2006. 

Kate 

LaRoche 

Jr. - Faribault, Minn. - Jumps - Nutrition & Dietetics 

All-American 

2008: Took eighth place in the pole vault at the NCAA Division II Indoor Championships ... Took third in the 

pole vault at the NCC Indoor Championships ... 2007: Finished fourth in the pole vault at the NCC Indoor 

Championships ... Provisional national qualifier in the pole vault ... Finished seventh in the pole vault at the 

NCC outdoor championships ... Before UND: A 2006 graduate of Faribault High School ... Earned six varsity 

letters in diving and track and one in gymnastics ... Named all-conference in all three sports ... Conference and 

section champion in the pole vault ... All-State in pole vault ... State participant in diving ... Academic all-state 

and academic all-conference ... Member of National Honor Society. 

Kayla 

Pfau 

Jr. - Minot, N.D. - Jumps - Nursing 

2008: Finished 11th in the pole vault at the NCC Indoor Championships ... Named to the NCC Commissioner’s 

Academic Indoor Track & Field Honor Roll and the NCC Commissioner’s Academic Outdoor Track & Field 

Honor Roll ... 2007: Finished seventh in the pole vault at the NCC Indoor Championships ... Finished 10th in 

the pole vault at the NCC Outdoor Championships ... Before UND: A 2006 graduate of Minot High School ... 

Earned six varsity letters in gymnastics, four in track and field and one in cheerleading ... Athlete of the week 

for both gymnastics and track and field ... On honor roll all four years. 

12

SIOUX SOPHOMORES 

Jessica 

Butler 

So. - Grand Rapids, MInn. - Sprints/Jumps - Communications 

2008: Finished seventh in the 100-meter hurdles and 17th in the 400-meter hurdles at the NCC Outdoor 

Championships ... Took fifth in both the 60-meter hurdles and high jump and was a member of the seventh 

place 4x400 meter relay at the NCC Indoor Championships ... Before UND: A 2007 graduate of Grand Rapids 

High School ... Earned four varsity letters in track and three in basketball ... Hold the school record in the high 

jump and the 100 and 300-meter hurdles ... All-state selection from 2004-07 ... Holds seven state medals ... 

Graduated with most section and state points in school history ... Named team captain 2006-07 ... Nine-time 

state qualifier ... Team captain of the basketball team senior year ... All-area basketball player both junior and 

senior years. 

Rachael 

Fashant 

So. - Eagan, MInn. - Hurdles - Pre-Physical Therapy 

2008: Finished 13th in the 400-meter hurdles and 15th in the 100-meter hurdles at the NCC Outdoor 

Championships ... Member of the seventh place 4x400-meter relay team at the NCC Outdoor Championships 

... Before UND: A 2007 graduate of Eastview High School ... Earned four varsity letters in track and field, four 

in cheerleading and two in soccer ... Named all-conference honorable mention in 2006 and all-conference in 

2007 ... All-state academic in 2004 ... Named all-state in 2007 ... Set school record in 100-meter hurdles. 

Sarah 

Fegley 

So. - Berthhold, Minn. - Sprints/Jumps - Nursing 

2008: Finished second in the triple jump and fifth in the long jump at the NCC Outdoor Championships ... Took 

sixth in the triple jump and finished 11th in the long jump at the NCC Indoor Championships ... Before UND: 

A 2007 graduate of Minot Bishop Ryan High School ... Earned four varsity letters each in track and field, basketball 

and volleyball ... Received Athletic Achievement Award ... Regional champion in the 100, 200, long jump 

and triple jump ... Placed first in the triple jump and second in the long jump at the state meet during senior year 

... Set the Class B record in the triple jump. 

Joanna 

Ongstad 

So. - New Richmond, Wis. - Jumps - Nursing 

2008: Took 12th in the high jump at the NCC Indoor Championships ... Tied for 15th in the high jump at the 

NCC Outdoor Championships ... Before UND: A 2007 graduate of New Richmond High School ... Earned six 

varsity letters in track, four in cross country and one in basketball ... Named most improved player ... Selected 

most dedicated player ... Named Middle Border Scholar Athlete of the Year ... Graduated in the top 10% of high 

school class ... Graduated with distinction ... Named the most potential in track and field. 

13

SIOUX FRESHMEN 

Brooke 

Biederstedt 

Fr. - Dickinson, n.D. - Throws - History/Honors 

Before UND: A 2008 graduate of Dickinson High School in Dickinson, N.D. … A four-year letterwinner in 

track and two-year letterwinner in volleyball … Finished second in the state in the shot put in 2008 ... Named 

captain for one year in track … Named most valuable thrower for two years in track … A member of the 

National Honor Society ... Personal: Daughter of Dennis and Jan Biederstedt and Ken and Jo Rooks. 

Cheri 

Boyer 

Fr. - Wyndmere, n.D. - Sprints - Nutrition & Dietetics 

Before UND: A 2008 graduate of Wyndmere High School in Wyndmere, N.D. … Earned five letters in track, 

four in basketball and three in volleyball … Four-year all-state performer in track in multiple events ... Was 

named team captain in both volleyball and basketball … Named top sprinter for all four years … Member of 

the National Honor Society … Student council president … Personal: Daughter of Mark and Kristie Boyer. 

Emily 

Emerso 

son 

Fr. - Lino Lakes, Minn. - Cross Country/Distance - Psychology 

2008: Finished 12th at the Great West Conference Cross Country Championship, earning second-team all-conference 

honors ... Before UND: A 2008 graduate from Centennial High School in Circle Pines, Minn. … 

Earned four letters in track as a mid-distance runner and three in cross country … … Earned the individual runner-up 

spot in the Section 5AA meet as a senior … A two-time all-state selection in the 800-meter run … Threetime 

all-conference selection in both track and cross country … Personal: Daughter of Bruce and Julie 

Emerson. 

Katherine 

Enabnitnit 

Fr. - Carmichael, Calif. - Cross Country/Distance - Nursing 

2008: Finished 18th at the Great West Conference Cross Country Championship ... Before UND: A 2008 graduate 

of St. Francis High School in Sacramento, Calif. … A three-year letterwinner in cross country and track 

… All-Delta League selection … Three-time state qualifier in cross country … Was actively involved in her 

community as a Sacramento Girls Club leader … Graduated with honors ... Personal: Daughter of Ron and 

Peggy Enabnit … Sister, Meghan, is also a member of the Fighting Sioux cross country and track and field 

teams. 

14


Meghan 

Enabnitnit 

Fr. - Carmichael, Calif. - Cross Country/Distance - Occupational Therapy 

2008: Finished 20th at the Great West Conference Cross Country Championship ... Before UND: A 2008 graduate 

of St. Francis High School in Sacramento, Calif. ... Four-year letterwinner in both cross country and track 

... Was named to the All-Delta League cross country team three consecutive years ... Qualified four years for 

the California state cross country championships ... Was named to the Sacramento Bee’s All-Metro cross country 

team her senior year ... Actively involved in her community as a Sacramento Girls Club leader ... Graduated 

with honors ... Personal: Daughter of Ron and Peggy Enabnit ... Sister, Katherine, is also a member of the 

Fighting Sioux cross country and track and field teams. 

Sarah 

Erickson 

Fr. - Fergus Falls, Minn. - Springs/Jumps - Undecided 

Before UND: A transfer from North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, N.D. ... A 2008 graduate of 

Fergus Falls Senior High School in Fergus Falls, Minn. ... Four-year participant in track and field, basketball 

and volleyball ... Named all-conference and captain in track ... Was an all-conference honorable mention in basketball 

... Named best setter and captain in volleyball ... Two-year all-conference in volleyball ... Graduated 

with honors ... Personal: Daughter of Dan and Linda Erickson. 

Alexis 

Gauwitz 

Fr. - Bemidji, Minn. - Sprints/Jumps - Math Education 

Before UND: A 2008 graduate of Bemidji High School in Bemidji, Minn. … A four-year letterwinner in soccer, 

basketball and track … Earned the most points for her track team three consecutive years in high school 

… Named best sprinter … Team captain …Personal: Daughter of Drew and Lisa Gauwitz. 

Ashley 

Gierke 

Fr. - Valley City, N.D. - Throws - Physics/Engineering 

Before UND: A 2008 graduate of Valley City High School in Valley City, N.D. … A four-year letterwinner in 

track and field … Earned three varsity letters in basketball and one in volleyball … Named team captain in 

both basketball and track … Was named MVP, most improved and hardest worker in track … Personal: 

Daughter of Larry and Janet Gierke. 

15


Mikae 

aela 

Hirst 

Fr. - Bismarck, N.D. - Sprints/Hurdles - Undecided 

Before UND: A 2008 graduate of Century High School in Bismarck, N.D. … A five-year letterwinner in track 

and field … Earned one varsity letter in basketball … Team captain in track … Three-time MVP … Member 

of the honor roll ... Personal: Daughter of Mike and Carrie Hirst. 

Taryn 

Kautz 

Fr. - Crooks, S.D. - Throws - Exercise Science & Fitness Management 

Before UND: A 2008 graduate of Tri-Valley High School in Colton, S.D. … Earned four letters in track, three 

in basketball and two in volleyball … Personal: Daughter of Jeff and Sheila Kautz. 

Ange 

gela 

Kumm 

Fr. - Hutchinson, Minn. - Cross Country/Distance 

2008: Competed in five cross country events ... Before UND: A 2007 graduate of Hutchinson High School in 

Hutchinson, Minn. … Four-year letterwinner in both swimming and track … Was named team captain ... 

Personal: Daughter of Mike and Linda Kumm. 

Alexand 

andra 

May-Fraser 

Fr. - Helena, Mont. - Jumps 

Before UND: A 2008 graduate of Helena High School in Helena, Mont. ... Earned four varsity letters in track 

and field and basketball and three in soccer ... Was named offensive player of the year in soccer ... Most valuable 

and all-state in track and field ... Named to the honor roll throughout high school ... Personal: Daughter 

of JanDee May and Dan Fraser. 

16


Maria 

Sundste 

ndsted 

Fr. - Westby, Mont. - Sprints/Jumps 

Before UND: A 2008 graduate of Westby High School in Westby, Mont. … A four-year letterwinner in both track and basketball … 

Earned three varsity letters in volleyball … Named top female athlete in track four years in a row … A four year all-state selection … 

Named academic all-state four years … Personal: Daughter of Jim and Pam Sundsted ... Nine-time state medalist in track ... Set high 

school record in the triple jump ... Member of the National Honor Society. 

Samantha 

antha 

Underhill 

Fr. - Brainerd, Minn. - Throws - Exercise Science 

Before UND: A 2008 graduate of Brainerd High School ... Lettered in track and field and tennis ... Named captain 

of the track team senior year ... A 2008 elite meet participant ... Indoor conference champion in the shot 

put senior year ... Place fourth in the 2008 section meet … Personal: Daughter of Fred and Lynn Underhill. 

Ashley Gierke Brooke Biederstedt Mikaela Hirst 

17

ALL TIME MVP’S 

CROSS COUNTRY MVPs 

(Women’s cross country began at UND in 1977) 

YEAR 

1977-78 Unavailable 

1979 Lynne McKeane 


1982 Jeanne Likar 

1983 Unavailable 

1984 Kari McIntire 

1985 Kristy Aune 

1986 Kristy Forsberg-Aune 

1987 Sheila Pexsa 


1989 Steph Bruening 




1993 Heather Parr 


1995 Kim Olund 


1997 Traci Korynta 

1998 Becky Leppard 

1999 Jessica Neva 



2002 Carolyn Orsua 


2004 Veronica Sackett 

2005 Margaret Landberg 

2006 Kristy Keithley 

2007 Heidi Evans 

2008 Brittany Brenny 

TRACK & FIELD MVPs 

(Women’s track & field began at UND in 1973) 

YEAR 

1973 Donna Hutchinson 


1975 Shelly Allmaras, Cynthia Bohlman 

1976 Patty Reep 

1977 Nancy Cushman 

1978 Nancy Cushman, Diane Schafer 

1979 Ginny Hoop, Lynne McKeane 


1981 Ginny (Hoop) Jacobson, Connie Weltz 

1982 Margie Hutson, Jeanne Likar 

1983 Margie Hutson 


1986 Karen Bergantine, Sandi Walford 

1987 Kristy Forsberg-Aune, Nancy Fleischhacker 

1988 Renee Crep, Shelly Ballard 

1989 Renee Crep, Traci Werner 

1990 Steph Bruening, Traci Werner 

1991 Sheila Pexsa, Diana Trager 

1992 Liesa Swenson, Sara Dupslaff 

1993 Steph Bruening, Marie Crep, Louise Ronnerman, 

Misty Langseth, Kris Sorenson 

1994 Steph Bruening, Vicky Besette 


1996 Kim Olund, Vicky Besette 

1997 NO MVP (season cancelled due to flood) 

1998 Cindy Scott, Missy Wilson 

1999 Becky Leppard, Kati Drellack 

2000 Becky Leppard, Becky Cable 

2001 Becky Leppard, Talia Merritt 

2002 Jackie Auwarter, Katie Marschel, Julie Johnson 

2003 JoAan Murphy, Julie Johnson 

2004 Jessica Neva, Jackie Kensinger, Dana Olimb 

2005 Veronica Sackett, Dana Olimb 

2006 Heidi Evans, Jessica Fleck 

2007 Heidi Evans, Michelle Burgaard 

2008 Heidi Evans, Jessica Clausnitzer 

Mary Martian Angie Johnson Vicky Besette Audra Bushaw 

18

CAPTAINS ROLL CALL 

CROSS COUNTRY TEAM CAPTAINS 

(Women’s cross country began at UND in 1977) 

YEAR 

1977 Diane Schafer 






1987 Angie Johnson 

1988 Jackie Kilian 




1992 Steph Bruening, Louise Ronnerman 


1994 Erin Bly, Jennifer Diedrich, Heather Parr 

1995 Erin Bly, Heather Parr 

1996 Traci Korynta, Christy Rygh 

1997 Disa Hillstrom, Traci Korynta 


1999 Becky Leppard, April Maine 

2000 Becky Lepppard, April Maine 

2001 Katie Marschel 

2002 JoAan Murphy, Carolyn Orsua 

2003 Kristin Murch, Jessica Schill 

2004 Jessica Lichter, Kristin Murch 

2005 Britt Beeson, Margaret Landberg, Jessica Lichter 

2006 Margaret Landberg, Rachelle Duerre, 

Kristy Keithley 

2007 Renee Aune, Kristy Keithley, Callie Malone 

2008 Lori Benke, Mandi Gefroh 

TRACK & FIELD TEAM CAPTAINS 

(Women’s track & field began at UND in 1973) 

YEAR 





1978 Diane Schafer 



1984 Margie Hutson, Kari McIntire 1985 

Kristy Forsberg, Mary Martian, Lisa Resell 1986 

Kristy Aune, Nancy Fleischhacker, 

Brenda Schmitz 

1987 Kristy Aune 

1988 Nancy Fleischhacker, Brenda Schmitz 1989 

Barb Bergantine, Renee Crep, Wendy Kinneberg 





1994 Unavailable 1995 

Heather Parr, Laura Seifert, Kari Ward 

1996 Vicky Besettle, Erin Bly 1997 

Unavailable 

1998 Missy Berg, Andrea Charlebois, Tracy Korynta 

1999 Missy Berg, Kati Drellack 

2000 Missy Berg, Becky Cable, Becky Leppard 

2001 Missy Berg, Becky Cable, Becky Leppard, 

Jessica Williams 

2002 Katie Marschel, Jessica Williams 

2003 Heidi Faul, Julie Johnson, Beth Morris, JoAan 

Murphy 

2004 April Bielejeski, Kristin Murch, Dana Olimb, 

Jessica Schill 

2005 Jackie Kensinger, Kristin Murch, Heidi Zander 

2006 Britt Beeson, Margaret Landberg, Heidi Zander 

2007 Nikki Dahlstrom, Jessica Fleck, Margaret Landberg 

2008 Nikki Dahlstrom, Renee Aune, Jessica Clausnitzer 

2009 Jessica Clausnitzer, Kristi Dahlheimer, Kate LaRoche 

Kristy Forsberg Traci Korynta JoAan Murphy Carolyn Busse 

19

TRACK AND FIELD RECORDS 

NORTH DAKOTA INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD RECORDS 

(THROUGH 2008) 

Event Name Year Mark 

55-meters Margie Hutson 1983 7.23 

60-meters Margie Hutson 1981 7.86 

55-meter hurdles Beth Morris 2003 8.30 

60-meter hurdles Jessica Clausnitzer 2008 9.05 

200-meters Liesa Swenson 1993 25.31 

300-meters* Liesa Swenson 1993 41.25 

400-meters Jessica Williams 2001 57.41 

500-meters Marie Crep 1993 1:15.85 

600-meters Heidi Faul 2001 1:35.23 

800-meters Jessica Schill 2004 2:10.18 

1,000-meters Becky Leppard 2000 2:55.15 

1,500-meters* Louise Ronnerman 1993 4:32.31 

Mile Run Becky Leppard 2001 4:49.35 

3,000-meters Steph Bruening 1993 9:44.10 

5,000-meters Jessica Neva 2004 16:49.35 

High Jump Julie Johnson 2003 5-08 3/4 

Long Jump Laura Seifert 1994 18-09 1/2 

Triple Jump Sara Dupslaff 1992 38-04 3/4 

Pole Vault Jessica Clausnitzer 2008 12-09 1/2 

Shot Put Traci Werner 1990 46-08 1/2 

20 lbs. Weight Kati Drellack 1999 50-01 1/2 

Pentathlon Beth Morris 2003 3,252 pts. 

Relays 

400-meter relay* Margie Hutson, Steph Mahanna 1981 52:06 

Ginny Hoop, Connie Weltz 

800-meter relay Kim Johnson, Chantel Larson 1999 1:46.98 

Suzanne Bergantine, Crystal White 

1,600-meter relay Jessica Williams, Jessica Schill 2002 3:49.39 

April Bielejeski, Heidi Faul 

3,200-meter relay* Rachel Sackett, Heidi Evans 2004 9:19.35 

Veronica Sackett, Jessica Schill 

Distance medley relay Rachelle Duerre, Jessica Boger 2006 11:56.98 

Heidi Evans, Veronica Sackett 

*Event No Longer Contested 

Julie Johnson Jackie Kensinger Jackie Auwarter Louise Ronnerman 

20

TRACK AND FIELD RECORDS 

NORTH DAKOTA OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD RECORDS 

(THROUGH 2008) 

Event Name Year Mark 

100-meters Crystal White 1999 12.12 

200-meters Liesa Swenson 1992 24.85 

400-meters Heidi Faul 2001 56.13 

800-meters Becky Leppard 2001 2:09.17 

1,500-meters Heidi Evans 2008 4:24.66 


3,000-meter steeple Veronica Sackett 2005 10:51.74 


10,000-meters Jessica Neva 2004 35:33.10 

100-meter hurdles Jessica Clausnitzer 2007 14.76 

400-meter hurdles Liesa Swenson 1992 60.91 

High Jump Wendy Kinneberg 1990 5-08 1/2 

Long Jump Laura Seifert 1994 18-09 

Triple Jump Nikki Sims 2004 38-04 1/4 

Pole Vault Jessica Clausnitzer 2007 12-02 

Shot Put Traci Werner 1990 46-02 1/2 

Discus Talia Merritt 2001 173-10 

Javelin Dana Olimb 2005 156-01 

Hammer Talia Merritt 2001 146-01 

Heptathlon Jackie Kensinger 2004 4,527 pts. 

Relays 

400-meter relay Kerry Hendrickson, Chantel Larson 1998 48.27 


800-meter relay Jessica Williams, Chantel Larson 1999 1:47.07 


1,600-meter relay Jessica Williams, Missy Berg 2001 3:45.05 


3,200-meter relay Cindy Scott, Missy Berg 1999 9:04.04 

Jackie Auwarter, Lisbeth Pederson 

Sprint Medley Crystal White, Chantel Larson 1999 4:05.77 

Jackie Feser, April Maine 

Distance Medley Katie Marschel, Jackie Auwarter 2001 11:47.63 

Becky Leppard, April Maine 

Disa Hillstrom Erin Bly Wendy Kinneberg April Maine 

21

INDOOR TOP 10 

Event Site Mark Year 

55-meters 

Margie Hutson NCC 7.23 1983 

Liesa Swenson Bemidji 7.27 1993 

Chantel Larson Fargo 7.28 1999 

Crystal White NCC 7.30 1998 

Sara Dupslaff Fargo 7.42 1989 

Marci Enns Fargo 7.44 1993 

Rebecca Goodman NCC 7.51 2001 

Paula Cash NCC 7.56 1988 

Erin Baustian Concordia 7.57 2004 

Crystal Engstrom Fargo 7.60 2000 

Cassie Hajicek Fargo 7.60 2001 

55-meter hurdles 

Beth Morris Fargo 8.30 2003 

Aimee Wiseth Fargo 8.42 1991 

Teresa Betz NCC 8.54 1987 

Paula Cash NCC 8.54 1988 

Denise Barnhardt Fargo 8.55 1992 

Jessica Clausnitzer Bemidji 8.36 2006 

Allyson Grohnke NCC 8.64 1988 

Becky Cable NCC 8.78 2000 

Cassie Hajicek Bemidji 8.83 2002 

Brenda Dietrich Fargo 8.89 1989 


Jessica Clausnitzer NCC 9.05 2008 

Beth Morris NCAA II 9.07 2003 

Jessica Butler South Dakota 9.21 2008 

Jodi Bredahl N/A 9.30 1979 

Jackie Kensinger Mankato 9.53 2004 

Rachael Fashant St. Cloud 9.58 2008 

200-meters 

Liesa Swenson Iowa St. 25.31 1993 

Chantel Larson Concordia 25.98 1999 


Jess Williams Concordia 26.39 2000 


April Bielejeski Bemidji 26.67 2002 

Erin Baustian Mankato 27.05 2004 

Jodi Horn Bemidji 27.14 2002 

Margie Hutson Manitoba 27.17 1981 

Chris Hoper Manitoba 27.22 1990 

300-meters 

Liesa Swenson Bemidji 41.25 1993 

Karen Bergantine NCC 42.60 1986 

Brenda Schmitz St. Cloud 42.70 1987 

Ginny Hoop NCC 42.88 1984 

Chris Hoper Fargo 43.52 1989 

Jennifer Riley Fargo 43.54 1988 

Renee Crep Bemidji 43.64 1990 

Teresa Betz Mankato 44.64 1987 

Sara Dupslaff St. Cloud 44.66 1988 

Sara Glas Manitoba 44.66 1995 

400-meters 

Jess Williams Minnesota 57.41 2001 

Heidi Faul NCC 57.85 2002 

April Bielejeski Bemidji 58.55 2002 

Missy Berg Iowa St. 58.94 1999 

Krista Vogel Mankato 59.57 2007 

Renee Crep Fargo 59.64 1990 

Kari Ward Fargo 60.11 1994 

Ginny Hoop NCC 60.15 1981 

Jessica Boger Bemidji 60.77 2006 

Jenna Griffith Bemidji 60.81 2003 

500-meters 

Marie Crep NCC 1:15.85 1993 

Heidi Faul NCC 1:16.48 2000 

April Bielejeski NCC 1:16.73 2002 

Missy Berg NCC 1:17.04 1999 

Jessica Schill Fargo 1:17.85 2004 

Jess Williams Fargo 1:18.03 2000 

Renee Crep NCC 1:18.50 1990 

Jenna Griffith NCC 1:18.65 2003 

Kari Ward Fargo 1:18.91 1994 

Staci Polcher St. Cloud 1:19.34 1989 

ALL-TIME BEST INDOOR PERFORMERS (THROUGH 2008) 


600-meters 

Heidi Faul Minnesota 1:35.23 2001 

Missy Berg Minnesota 1:38.00 1999 

Traci Korynta Concordia 1:38.62 1999 

Lisbeth Pedersen Bemidji 1:38.75 1999 

Cindy Scott Minnesota 1:39.00 1999 

April Bielejeski Minnesota 1:39.09 2001 

Renee Crep Minnesota 1:40.44 1989 

Jackie Feser Concordia 1:40.55 1999 

Marie Crep Bemidji 1:40.85 1994 

Jess Williams Bemidji 1:42.75 1999 

800-meters 

Jess Schill NCAA II 2:10.18 2004 

Jackie Auwarter NCAA II 2:11.18 2002 

Heidi Evans NCAA II 2:11.98 2007 

Marie Crep NCAA II 2:12.25 1993 

Becky Leppard Fargo 2:12.54 2001 

Louise Ronnerman NCC 2:13.92 1993 

Cindy Scott Iowa St. 2:14.64 1999 

Erin Bly Iowa St. 2:14.90 1994 

Jen Lykken Iowa St. 2:15.14 1993 

Missy Berg Fargo 2:15.35 2000 

1,000-meters 

Becky Leppard Fargo 2:55.15 2000 

Jackie Auwarter NCC 2:55.45 2002 

Cindy Scott NCC 2:57.17 1999 

Traci Korynta Fargo 2:57.21 1999 

Katie Marschel NCC 2:58.82 2001 

Steph Bruening Fargo 2:59.74 1993 

Sheila Pexsa St.Cloud 3:00.38 1991 

Jess Schill NCC 3:00.49 2001 

Jen Lykken Fargo 3:00.54 1993 

Erin Bly Fargo 3:00.73 1994 

1,500-meters 

Louise Ronnerman NCAA II 4:32.31 1993 

Steph Bruening NCAA II 4:36.06 1993 

Sheila Pexsa NCAA II 4:38.13 1992 

Cindy Scott Fargo 4:42.57 1995 

Jeanne Likar NCC 4:42.75 1983 

Kristy Forsberg NCAA II 4:43.34 1987 

Evette Edmondson Fargo 4:45.24 1993 

Disa Hillstrom Fargo 4:52.46 1995 

Jenny Diedrich Fargo 4:53.20 1995 

Kari McIntire St. Cloud 4:55.24 1986 

Mile Run 

Becky Leppard NCAA II 4:49.35 2001 

Katie Marschel NCAA II 4:53.28 2002 

Steph Bruening Iowa St. 4:57.11 1993 

Louise Ronnerman Iowa St. 4:59.01 1992 

April Maine NCC 4:59.52 2000 

Veronica Sackett NCC 5:03.73 2006 

Heidi Evans NCC 5:04.05 2007 

Sheila Pexsa Iowa St. 5:04.68 1992 

Cindy Scott Iowa St. 5:05.03 1995 

Renee Aune NCC 5:07.14 2006 


3,000-meters 


Jessica Neva Minnesota 9:56.89 2002 

Sheila Pexsa Iowa St. 9:59.24 1992 

Evette Edmondson Iowa St. 9:59.74 1993 

Becky Leppard NCC 10:03.09 2001 

Kari McIntire Fargo 10:14.08 1984 

Heather Parr Iowa St. 10:21.30 1993 

Kim Olund Bemidji 10:24.59 1996 

Margaret Landberg NCC 10:28.37 2006 


5,000-meters 

Jessica Neva NCAA II 16:49.35 2004 

Kim Olund NCAA II 16:49.70 1996 


Evette Edmondson NCC 17:40.52 1993 

Heather Parr NCC 17:57.62 1994 

JoAan Murphy NCC 18:00.71 2003 

Carolyn Busse NCC 18:08.33 2000 


Jenny Diedrich Minnesota 18:27.53 1995 

Kristy Keithley NCC 18:29.44 2007 

22

INDOOR TOP 10 


800-meter relay 

Kim Johnson, Chantel Larson Concordia 1:46.98 1999 


Jess Williams, Rebecca Goodman Concordia 1:47.55 2000 

Suzanne Bergantine, Heidi Faul 

Paula Cash, Allyson Grohnke NCC 1:49.51 1988 

Renee Crep, Jen Riley 

Sara Dupslaff, Chris Hoper NCC 1:49.64 1989 

Brenda Dietrich, Jen Riley 

Paula Pringle, Margie Hnasko NCC 1:49.95 1983 

Lisa Resell, Margie Hutson 

1,600-meter relay 

Jess Williams, Jess Schill NCAA II 3:49.39 2002 

April Biejeleski, Heidi Faul 

Jess Williams, Becky Leppard Fargo 3:52.82 2001 


Jess Williams, Rebecca Goodman Minnesota 3:54.51 2001 


Jess Williams, Missy Berg Fargo 3:54.94 2000 

Rebecca Goodman, Heidi Faul 

Jess Williams, Andrea Domaskin NCC 3:56.85 2000 


Missy Berg, Jess Williams Iowa St. 3:59.50 1999 

Traci Korynta, Cindy Scott 


Rachel Sackett, Heidi Evans, NCC 9:19.35 2004 


Jess Schill, Jackie Auwarter NCC 9:20.51 2002 

JoAan Murphy, Katie Marschel 

Katie Marschel, April Maine NCC 9:22.55 2001 

Jess Schill, Becky Leppard 

Jackie Auwarter, Lisbeth PedersenConcordia 9:30.61 1999 


Jess Schill, Brittany Beeson NCC 9:30.73 2003 

JoAan Murphy, Veronica Sackett 

Missy Berg, Jackie Auwarter NCC 9:31.42 1999 


Missy Berg, April Maine NCC 9:34.70 2000 

Katie Marschel, Becky Leppard 

Missy Berg, April Maine Concordia 9:37.20 2000 

K. Marschel. Jackie Auwarter 

Shot Put 

Traci Werner NCC 46-08 1/2 1990 

Diana Trager Fargo 45-05 1/2 1990 

Kati Drellack Fargo 44-01 1/2 1999 

Nancy Fleischhacker NCC 43-03 1/2 1987 

Dana Olimb NCC 43-01 1/2 2005 

Misty Langseth Fargo 43-00 1991 

Talia Merritt Fargo 42-08 1/2 2003 

Andrea Charlebois NCC 42-05 1/2 1998 

Lindsey Hausauer Bemidji 41-03 1/2 2005 

Tammy Gravning Fargo 40-01 1/2 1988 

20 lb. Weight 

Kati Drellack Fargo 50-01 1/2 1999 

Dana Olimb Bemidji 49-01 2005 

Talia Merritt NCC 47-00 3/4 2001 

Lindsey Hausauer Bemidji 45-10 2005 

Krista Klabo NCC 43-10 3/4 2006 

Jenny Flach Mankato 43-05 3/4 2005 

Suzi Homstad Bemidji 41-00 1/2 2006 

Nicole Bell NCC 41-00 1/2 1999 

Leah Davis Bemidji 40-07 2004 

High Jump 

Julie Johnson NCAA 5-08 3/4 2003 

Wendy Kinneberg NCC 5-08 1990 

Allyson Grohnke NCC 5-07 1/4 1987 

Shosti Vorachek Fargo 5-06 1/4 2000 

Nikki Dahlstrom NCC 5-06 2006 

Lindsy Gegelman NCC 5-05 2006 

Amanda Nagel Mankato 5-04 3/4 2004 

Pam Cole NCC 5-04 1984 

Tricia Pederson Fargo 5-04 1997 

Jessica Butler Bemidji 5-03 1/4 2008 

Cristy Risberg NCC Pent. 5-03 1/4 1993 

ALL-TIME BEST INDOOR PERFORMERS (THROUGH 2008) 


Long Jump 

Laura Siefert Iowa St. 18-09 1/4 1994 

Sara Dupslaff NCC 18-07 1992 

Nikki Sims Fargo 18-05 3/4 2004 

Karen Bergantine NCC 18-04 1986 

Michelle Burgard Bemidji 18-03 1/4 2007 

Cristy Risberg Fargo 17-11 1/4 1993 

Brenda Schmitz NDSCS 17-10 3/4 1986 

Wendy Kinneberg Fargo 17-09 1990 

Kristin Stokes NCC 17-07 1999 

Steph Campbell NCC 17-06 1/4 2000 

Triple Jump 

Sara Dupslaff NCC 38-04 3/4 1992 

Jackie Kensinger Fargo 38-02 2003 

Michelle Burgard Bemidji 37-03 3/4 2006 

Nikki Sims Mankato 36-08 1/2 2004 

Jessica Fleck Bemidji 36-08 1/2 2005 

Kristin Stokes Bemidji 36-06 3/4 1999 

Sarah Fegley South Dakota 36-06 3/4 2008 

Suzanne Bergantine NCC 36-06 1/4 1999 

Jen Halstenson Concordia 36-05 3/4 2000 

Shosti Vorachek Bemidji 36-02 1/2 1998 

Pole Vault 

Jessica Clausnitzer St. Cloud 12-09 1/2 2008 

Kate LaRoche St. Cloud 12-5 1/2 2008 

Jessica Fleck Bemidji 12-01 1/2 2006 

Ellen Amberson NCC 11-06 1/2 2004 

Darby Sedler Fargo 10-11 3/4 2003 

Kayla Pfau Bemidji 10-11 3/4 2008 

Becky Cable NCC 10-11 2000 

Lisa Bell Fargo 10-00 2000 

Sarah Boese Fargo 9-06 1/4 2003 

Pentathlon 

Beth Morris Fargo 3252 pts. 2003 

Cristy Risberg NCC 3245 1993 

Heidi Zander NCC 2918 2005 

Heidi Evans joined the ranks as a volunteer assistant 

coach this season for the Fighting Sioux after a decorated 

career at UND. 

23

OUTDOOR TOP 10 

ALL-TIME BEST OUTDOOR PERFORMERS (THROUGH 2008) 


100-meters 

Crystal White Moorhead 12.12 1999 

Chantel Larson Moorhead 12.16 1999 


Liesa Swenson NCC 12.25 1993 


Karen Bergantine UND 12.38 1986 

Marci Enns NCC 12.56 1993 

Crystal Engstrom Moorhead 12.73 2000 

Lynda Sauer NCC 12.78 1990 

Paula Pringle UND 12.84 1983 

200-meters 

Liesa Swenson NCC 24.85 1992 


Chantel Larson Moorhead 25.17 1998 



Cassie Hajicek NCC 26.19 2001 

Marci Enns NCC 26.40 1993 

Jennifer Riley UND 26.46 1988 

April Bielejeski UND 26.47 2000 

Brenda Schmitz NCC 26.68 1986 

400-meters 

Heidi Faul NCC 56.13 2001 

Jess Williams NCC 56.35 2001 

Marie Crep UND 56.64 1994 

Renee Crep NCC 56.70 1989 

April Bielejeski NCC 57.92 2001 

Brenda Schmitz Moorhead 58.64 1987 

Kari Ward NCC 58.71 1994 

Krista Vogel NCC 58.94 2007 

Cindy Scott Fargo 58.96 1998 

Andrea Domaskin Morningside 59.30 2000 

800-meters 

Becky Leppard NCAA II 2:09.17 2001 

Marie Crep NCAA II 2:09.46 1994 

Heidi Evans Asuza Pacific 2:10.71 2008 

Jess Schill NCAA II 2:11.43 2004 

Jackie Auwarter Moorhead 2:11.75 2002 

Cindy Scott NCAA II 2:12.26 1998 

Louise Ronnerman Minnesota 2:13.95 1992 

Veronica Sackett St. Olaf 2:14.61 2004 

Erin Bly NCC 2:14.73 1994 

Rachel Sackett NCC 2:15.69 2004 

1,500-meters 

Heidi Evans Mt. Sac 4:24.66 2008 

Becky Leppard Drake 4:26.71 2000 

Louise Ronnerman NCC 4:31.46 1992 

Kristy Forsberg-Aune NCC 4:32.80 1987 

April Maine NCAA II 4:34.51 2000 

Katie Marschel NCC 4:35.02 2001 

Steph Bruening NCC 4:35.56 1993 

Renee Aune Concordia 4:39.35 2007 

Jessica Neva NW. Mo. 4:40.13 2002 

Christy Rygh NCC 4:42.64 1998 

3,000-meters 

Steph Bruening NCC 9:44.04 1993 

Jessica Neva NCAA II 9:51.84 2004 

Sheila Pexsa Minnesota 9:56.69 1991 

Kari McIntire Moorhead 9:58.30 1984 

Becky Leppard NCC 10:04.57 1999 

Evette Edmondson Augie 10:08.34 1993 

Kristy Forsberg-Aune Drake 10:13.76 1987 

Heidi Evans Florida State 10:15.41 2007 

JoAan Murphy Emporia 10:15.77 2003 

Heather Parr Minnesota 10:18.04 1994 


5,000-meters 

Steph Bruening SW MO. 16:50.54 1993 

Kim Olund Drake 17:07.20 1996 

Evette Edmondson Minnesota 17:08.24 1993 

Sheila Pexsa Drake 17:18.43 1991 

Kari McIntire JC 17:29.24 1984 

Jeanne Likar Moorhead 17:48.54 1982 

JoAan Murphy Cal. St. LA 17:49.60 2003 

Heather Parr Drake 17:50.32 1993 

Kristy Keithley Simpson 17:54.83 2007 

Jessica Neva NCC 17:55.10 2004 

10,000-meters 

Jessica Neva NCC 35:33.10 2004 

Steph Bruening Drake 35:35:64 1994 

Kim Olund NCAA II 35:50.06 1996 

Evette Edmondson Drake 36:23.83 1993 

JoAan Murphy NCC 36:50.92 2003 

Kristy Keithley NCC 37:01.78 2007 

Heather Parr SDSU 37:30.07 1994 


Carolyn Busse NCC 37:49.70 2000 

Jessica Lichter NCC 39:01.70 2006 


Jessica Clausnitzer NCC 14.76 2007 

Beth Morris NCC 14.78 2003 

Becky Cable NCC 14.84 1999 

Denise Barnhardt Minnesota 14.96 1992 

Paula Cash Moorhead 15.14 1988 

Allyson Grohnke Moorhead 15.14 1988 

Jackie Kensinger NCC (HEP) 15.40 2004 

Jessica Butler Florida State 15.45 2008 

Jodi Bredahl NCC 15.54 1980 

Teresa Betz Moorhead 15.60 1987 


Liesa Swenson NCAA II 60.91 1992 

Missy Berg NCC 61.93 1999 

Dana Peterson NCC 64.30 2008 

Denise Barnhardt NCC 64.34 1992 

Rachel Sackett NCC 64.74 2005 

Jodi Horn NW Missouri 65.03 2001 

Audra Bushaw NCC 65.43 1994 

Loni Ulrich UND 65.74 1984 

Jackie Kilian Moorhead 65.79 1990 

Cynthia Meyer NCC 65.81 1984 

Steeplechase 

Veronica Sackett St. Thomas 10:51.74 2005 

Renee Aune Augustana 11:06.84 2006 

Carolyn Orsua Moorhead 11:10.24 2002 

Kristin Murch Bemidji 11:20.77 2005 

Kristi Dalheimer NCC 11:29.39 2008 

Mandy Gefroh NCC 11.43.89 2007 

Courtney Hugstad-Vaa NCC 11:47.52 2005 

Margaret Landberg NW Missouri 12:25.90 2004 

400-meter relay 

Kerry Henricksen, Chantel Larson NCC 48.27 1998 


Jess Williams, Rebecca Goodman NCC 48.33 2001 

Cassie Hajicek, April Bielejeski 

Jess Williams, Rebecca Goodman NCC 48.50 2000 

Suzanne Bergantine, Crystal Engstrom 

Jess Williams, Chantel Larson NCC 48.97 1999 


Jess Clausnitzer, Sarah Fegley NCC 49.25 2008 

Sara Carpenter, Jess Butler 

Jess Williams, Rebecca Goodman UND 49.30 2000 

Suzanne Bergantine, Heidi Faul 

Sara Dupslaff, Cristy Risberg NCC 49.54 1992 

Denise Barnhardt, Liesa Swenson 

24

OUTDOOR TOP 10 



Jess Williams, Missy Berg NCAA II 3:45.05 2001 


Jess Williams, Jess Schill Drake 3:49.31 2002 


Jess Williams, Jackie Auwarter Drake 3:49.81 2002 


Jess Williams, Missy Berg Florida St. 3:51.89 2000 


Rachel Sackett, Jessica Schill NCC 3:52.43 2004 

April Bielejeski, Erin Baustian 

Jess Williams, Missy Berg NCC 3:52.55 2000 

April Bielejeski, Rebecca Goodman 

Erin Bly, Marie Crep NCC 3:56.07 1993 

Audra Bushaw, Kari Ward 

Jess Williams, Missy Berg NCC 3:56.32 1999 


Jenna Griffith, Jess Schill Emporia 3:56.67 2003 

Rachel Sackett, Heidi Faul 

Liesa Swenson, Marie Crep Drake 3:56.71 1992 

Denise Barnhardt, Audra Bushaw 


Cindy Scott, Missy Berg Drake 9:04.03 1999 

J. Auwarter, Lisbeth Pedersen 

Katie Marschel, April Maine Drake 9:08.51 2001 

Jess Schill, Jackie Auwarter 

Heidi Evans, Kristi Dalhelmer, Drake 9:08.76 2007 

Jessica Messer, Renee Aune 

Rachelle Duerre, Rachel Sackett Drake 9:09.16 2005 

Veronica Sackett, Heidi Evans 

Rachelle Duerre, V. Sackett Drake 9:10.17 2004 

Rachel Sackett, Jessica Schill 

Cindy Scott, Traci Korynta Drake 9:12.92 1996 

Erin Bly, Christy Rygh 

Steph Bruening, Jackie Killian Drake 9:13.37 1990 

Barb Bergantine, Marie Crep 

April Maine, Jackie Auwarter Drake 9:13.68 2000 

Katie Marschel, JoAan Murphy 

Jess Schill, Rachel Sackett Drake 9:18.72 2003 

Brittany Beeson, Veronica Sackett 

Heidi Evans, Britt Beeson Drake 9:26.90 2006 

V. Sackett, Margaret Landberg 

Distance Medley 

Katie Marschel, Jackie Auwarter Drake 11:47.63 2001 


Jen Lykken, Marie Crep Drake 11:48.94 1993 

Erin Bly, Steph Bruening 

Christy Rygh, Missy Berg Drake 12:03.49 1998 

Cindy Scott, Becky Leppard 

Jessica Schill, April Bielejeski Drake 12:05.62 2004 

Rachel Sackett, Rachelle Duerre 

Jess Schill, Heidi Faul Drake 12:08.23 2003 

Rachel Sackett, Veronica Sackett 

Steph Bruening, Audra Bushaw Drake 12:11.98 1991 

Jackie Kilian, Sheila Pexsa 

Rachelle Duerre, Jessica Boger Drake 12:12.42 2005 

Rachel Sackett, Kristin Murch 

Sprint Medley 

Crystal White, Chantel Larson Drake 4:05.77 1999 

Jackie Feser, April Maine 

Rebecca Goodman, S. Bergantine Drake 4:08.77 2000 

Jackie Auwarter, April Maine 

Kerry Hendricksen, Chantel Larson Drake 4:10.78 1998 

Missy Berg, Becky Leppard 

April Bielejeski, Becky Cable Drake 4:11.10 2001 

Rebecca Goodman, Jackie Auwarter 

Sara Glas, Chantel Larson Drake 4:12.15 1996 

Kari Ward, Cindy Scott 

Heidi Hager, Laura Seifert Drake 4:14.82 1994 

Kari Ward, Erin Bly 

Pole Vault 

Jessica Clausnitzer Concordia 12-06 2008 

Ellen Amberson Moorhead 11-10 3/4 2005 

Kate LaRoche Moorhead 11-08 2007 

Jessica Fleck NCC 11-07 2005 

Becky Cable NCC 11-01 1/4 2000 

Kayla Pfau Bismarck 10-11 3/4 2008 

Darby Sedler NCC 10-10 3/4 2003 

Lisa Bell NCC 9-07 2001 

Sarah Boese UND 8-06 3/4 2003 

ALL-TIME BEST OUTDOOR PERFORMERS (THROUGH 2008) 


High Jump 

Wendy Kinneberg Moorhead 5-08 1/2 1990 

Sandi Walford Concordia 5-08 1986 

Julie Johnson NCAA II 5-07 3/4 2000 

Allyson Grohnke Moorhead 5-07 1/2 1987 

Pam Cole NCC 5-06 1984 

Cristy Risberg NCC 5-05 1/2 1993 

Shosti Vorachek Moorhead 5-05 1/2 2000 

Delayne Gilbertson NDSCS 5-04 1/2 1987 

Nikki Dahlstrom Emporia 5-05 2006 

Lyndsy Gegelman NCC 5-04 1/4 2004 

Amanda Nagel NCC 5-04 1/4 2004 

Long Jump 

Laura Seifert Moorhead 18-09 1994 

Brenda Schmitz NCC 18-07 3/4 1986 

Nikki Sims Jamestown 18-06 2004 

Sara Dupslaff NCC 18-05 1/2 1992 

Michelle Burgard Concordia 18-02 1/4 2007 

Kristin Stokes Fargo 18-00 1/2 2000 

Karen Bergantine NCC 17-11 3/4 1986 

Brenda Dietrich UND 17-11 3/4 1989 

Jackie Kensinger NCC (HEP) 17-10 1/4 2004 

Cristy Risberg UND 17-09 3/4 1993 

Triple Jump 

Nikki Sims Jamestown 38-04 1/4 2004 

Suzanne Bergantine NCC 38-02 3/4 1998 

Kristin Stokes NCC 37-09 3/4 1998 

Sara Dupslaff Drake 37-09 1/2 1992 

Sarah Fegley Bismarck 37-08 2008 

Michelle Burgard Moorhead 37-06 1/2 2007 

Jackie Kensinger NW Missouri 37-03 1/4 2005 

Michelle Burgard NW Missouri 37-03 2005 

Jen Halstenson Fargo 36-10 2000 

Shosti Vorachek Emporia, KS 36-09 3/4 2001 

Chantel Larson NCC 36-09 3/4 1996 

Shot Put 

Traci Werner NCAA II 46-02 1/2 1990 

Diana Trager NCAA II 45-05 1/4 1991 

Nancy Fleischhacker UND 43-11 3/4 1987 

Dana Olimb NCC 43-08 2004 

Misty Langseth NCC 43-04 1/4 1994 

Andrea Charlebois SDSU 42-09 1996 

Kati Drellack Bemidji 42-09 1999 

Talia Merritt NW Missouri 42-05 2001 

Judy Stamness UND 42-04 1983 

Tammy Gravning UND 41-07 1988 

Discus 

Talia Merritt NW Missouri 173-10 2001 

Diana Trager NCC 153-07 1991 

Traci Werner Concordia 148-06 1990 

Shelly Ballard NDSCS 145-10 1988 

Danye Guinn NCC 143-01 2006 

Misty Langseth Moorhead 142-03 1993 

Lindsey Hausauer Concordia 140-09 2005 

Judy Stamness NCC 139-11 1983 

Missy Wilson NCC/MIAA 139-05 1996 

Mandy Larson NW Missouri 139-04 2004 

Javelin 

Dana Olimb NCAA II 156-01 2005 

Vicky Besette Bemidji 149-00 1994 

Suzy Homstad Florida State 138-10 2007 

Janet Connell NCC 138-06 1987 

Autumn Ballweber NCC/MIAA 137-03 1996 

Lisa Perrault NCC 134-00 1983 

Sherry Midgarden NCC 133-01 1990 

Tanya Edwards Moorhead 131-06 1989 

Kris Sorenson UND 130-00 1995 

Laura Gillespie Dickinson 127-02 1981 

Cassie Felber UND 127-02 2003 

Heptathlon 

Jackie Kensinger NCC 4527 pts. 2004 

Allyson Grohnke NCC 4279 1987 

Becky Cable NCC 4264 1999 

Beth Morris NCC 4088 2003 

Cristy Risberg CMSU 3993 1993 

Heidi Zander NCC 3845 2005 

Wendy Kinneberg Drake 3668 1988 

Chantel Larson NCC/MIAA 3322 1996 

25

ALL-AMERICANS 

JACKIE 

AUWARTER 

APRIL 

BIELEJESKI 

Middle Distance 

Breckenridge, Minn. 

1998-2002 

Jackie Auwarter was one of the most versatile female track and 

cross country athletes to compete for the Fighting Sioux. 

Auwarter earned All-America honors in the 800-meters at the 

2002 NCAA indoor championships, setting a school record. She 

is also one of only four Fighting Sioux cross country runners to 

compete in four NCAA Championships, which included a second-place 

and two fourth-place national team finishes. 

Auwarter graduated from UND holding four school records in 

track and seven additional all-time top-10 performances in the 

long sprints and middle distances. 

MISSY 

BERG 

Sprints 

Odin, Minn. 

1997-2001 

Missy Berg earned three All-America honors and won four 

North Central Conference titles during her career as a Fighting 

Sioux. Her first All-America award was in the 400 hurdles at the 

1999 NCAA Championships. That same year she also won the 

NCC 400 hurdles. In 2000 and again in 2001 Berg was All- 

American in the 1,600-meter relay at the outdoor national meet. 

Both years the relay team set a school record at the NCAA 

Championships. Berg also won the NCC 800-meters and was a 

member of the winning 3,200-meter relay at the 2000 indoor 

championships. She is a member of the outdoor school record 

3,200-meter relay team. Berg was named to the North Central 

Conference At-Large Academic Team. She was also named 

three times to the United State Track Coaches Association All- 

Academic Team and was a 2000 GTE Academic All-District 

choice. Berg was awarded a post-graduate academic scholarship 

by the NCAA in 2001. 

Sprints 

Sartell, Minn. 

2001-2004 

April Bielejeski was a three time All-America as a member of 

Fighting Sioux 1600 meter relay teams. In 2000 Bielejeski 

earned her first All-America honor at the NCAA outdoor championships. 

At the 2001 outdoor meet she earned her second All- 

America when the 1600 relay team placed fourth in a school 

record time of 3:45.05. Bielejeski received her third All- 

America at the 2002 NCAA indoor meet when the Sioux relay 

team placed fourth, again in a school record time. She was also 

a 2001 NCC champion in the 1600 relay. Bielejeski finished her 

career with 14 all- time Sioux top ten performances in individual 

and relay events. She was named three times to the United 

States Track Coaches Association All-Academic Team. She was 

also named to the NCC at large All- Academic Team and was 

UND’s scholar athlete of the year for the 2001-2002 sports season. 

STEPH 

BRUENING 

2005 Hall of Fame Inductee 

CC/Distance 

Alexandria, Minn. 

1989-94 

Steph Bruening is one of the most decorated female track and 

cross country athletes in Fighting Sioux history. Bruening garnered 

10 NCAA All-America honors and was the national runner-up 

four times in three different events. She is one of only 

three NCAA Division II athletes to earn All-America honors in 

every distance event; the 1,500, 3,000, 5,000 and 10,000- 

meters. Bruening won four individual conference titles and still 

holds the outdoor NCC 3,000-meter record. Bruening also holds 

three current Fighting Sioux school records in track. She was 

twice named the UND Female Scholar Athlete of the year and 

was a three-time recipient of the GTE Academic All-America 

Team award. In her senior year Bruening was named a top ten 

finalist for the prestigious NCAA Woman of The Year award 

presented to the nation’s top female athlete for all divisions of 

the NCAA. 

26

ALL-AMERICANS 

CAROLYN 

BUSSE-ORSU 

SUA 

EVETTE 

EDMONDSO 

NDSON 

Cross Country 

Arlington, Minn. 

1998-2002 

Carolyn Busse-Orsua capped her Fighting Sioux career by earning 

All-America honors at the 2002 NCAA Cross Country 

Championships. She is one of only four Fighting Sioux athletes 

to compete in four NCAA national cross country meets and 

helped lead the Sioux to two NCAA fourth-place finishes during 

her career. Orsua was a two-time all-region cross country 

performer and earned two All-North Central Conference awards 

in cross country. In track, Orsua was UND’s first ever athlete to 

qualify for the NCAA meet in the steeplechase. She was named 

three times to the NCAA Division II All-Academic Cross 

Country Team and was twice selected to the USTCA All- 

Academic Track Team. Orsua left her mark in the books with a 

Fighting Sioux record in the steeplechase and four all-time top- 

10 performances in the long distances. 

MARIE 

CREP 

2004 Hall of Fame Inductee 

1994 National Champion 


Bemidji, Minn. 

1989-94 

Marie Crep also ranks as one of the Fighting Sioux’s most highly 

decorated female track athletes in the program’s history. Crep 

earned All-America honors four times including two third place 

finishes. In 1994 Crep became the first UND female track athlete 

to win a NCAA national title when she captured first place in the 

indoor 800-meter run. She won three conference titles setting a 

1993 NCC record in the 500-meters. She left her mark in the 

record books setting five UND school records during her 

Fighting Sioux career. 

Distance 

Kansas City, MO. 

1991-93 

Evette Edmondson earned NCAA All-America honors in the 

10,000-meters after transferring from Highland Community 

College in Kansas where she was national runner-up in the 

NJCAA 5,000 and 10,000-meters. During her two-year career at 

UND she won two conference 5,000-meter titles which included 

a NCC record run in 1992. She was also a key member of the 

1992 Fighting Sioux’s North Central Conference champion 

cross country team earning all-conference and all-region honors. 

HEIDI 

EVANS 

2008 National 

Champion 

Distance 

Roseau, Minn. 

Hedi Evans earned four NCAA All-America honors during her 

career with the Fighting Sioux. Evans’ first All-America came at 

the indoor championships in 2007, where she placed sixth in the 

800-meter run. In the spring of that year, Evans moved up to the 

1,500, setting a NCC record in the event enroute to a fourth-place 

finish at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. In her senior year, 

Evans ran cross country for the first time in her career, earning 

not only all-conference and all-regions honors, which led the 

Fighting Sioux to the NCAA Championship meet, but also All- 

America honors. Evans won both the 1,500 and 3,000-meter runs 

at the NCC Outdoor Championships her senior year, and was 

named the 2007 North Central Conference Athlete of the Meet 

for her efforts. Evans finished her career at the 2008 NCAA 

Championships, where she won the national title in the 1,500- 

meter run. Evans earned numerous USTCCCA All-Academic 

honors throughout her career with the Sioux. She was named the 

University of North Dakota’s NCC Honor Athlete and capped 

her stellar career when she was named a NCAA Post-Graduate 

Scholar. 

27

ALL-AMERICANS 

HEIDI 

FAUL 

JULIE 

JOHNSON 

Long Sprints 

Powers Lake, N.D. 

2000-03 

Heidi Faul was a three-time All-American for the Fighting 

Sioux. In 2000, she anchored the 1,600-meter relay to an eighthplace 

finish at the outdoor national meet. At the 2001 NCAA outdoor 

championship, Faul anchored the Sioux relay team to a 

fourth-place finish and a school record of 3:45.05. Her third All- 

America honor came in 2002 when she anchored the indoor 

1,600-meter relay team to another fourth-place finish. Heidi finished 

her career at UND holding four school records and 18 alltime 

top ten Fighting Sioux performances. She won three NCC 

track titles and was named three times to the United States Track 

Coaches Association All-Academic team. 

ALLYSO 

YSON 

GROHNKE 

Jumps 

Excelsior, Minn. 

2000-03 

Julie Johnson was a five-time All-American in the high jump. 

After winning the NCC indoor high jump title as a freshman, 

Johnson went on to become the first Fighting Sioux track and 

field athlete to earn indoor All-America honors each of her four 

years at UND. Johnson also was the first to receive both indoor 

and outdoor All-America honors in track as a freshman. Her 

highest national finish was in her senior year when she placed 

second at the NCAA meet with a school record jump of 5-8 3/4. 

Johnson was also named to the United States Coaches 

Association All-Academic team four consecutive years. 

WENDY 

KINNEBER 

ERG 

Jumps 

Moorhead, Minn. 

1986-87 

Allyson Grohnke was the first ever Fighting Sioux track and field 

athlete to earn NCAA All-America honors when she placed fifth 

in the high jump at the 1987 NCAA national championships. 

Before transferring to the University of North Dakota from 

NDSCS, she was the NJCAA national champion in the heptathlon. 

In her two years at UND, Grohnke was a five-time allconference 

selection in the high jump and heptathlon. She set the 

school record in the heptathlon that stood until 2004. 

Jumps 


1987-90 

Wendy Kinneberg was the first female track athlete to be a 

three-time All-America selection for the Fighting Sioux. She 

never placed lower than third in NCC high jump competition 

and won two conference high jump titles. Kinneberg was 

named to the NCC At-Large All-Academic team. She left 

UND with two school records and still holds the UND school 

record for the outdoor high jump. 

28

ALL-AMERICANS 

BECKYECKY 

LEPPARD 

APRIL 

MAINE 

CC/Distance 

Waconia, Minn 

1997-2001 

Becky Leppard is the most decorated track and field and cross 

country athlete in Fighting Sioux history. She also ranks as one 

of the school’s most decorated female athletes of all-time. 

Leppard was a four-time NCAA runner-up in track in the 1,500- 

meters and mile run and placed second individually at the 2000 

NCAA Cross Country Championships, leading the Sioux to a 

second place team finish. She was named Regional Cross 

Country Athlete of the Year in 1998 and was a finalist for the 

NCAA Division II Athlete of the Year. Leppard earned nine 

NCAA All-America honors and won an unprecedented 12 North 

Central Conference titles in the middle distance and distance 

events, setting an outdoor conference record in the 1,500-meters. 

She left UND holding six Fighting Sioux school records. 

Leppard was twice named UND’s Athlete of the Year. She was 

named three times to the North Central Conference At-Large 

Academic Team. Leppard was named three times to the NCAA 

All-Academic Cross Country Team and was a four-time selection 

to the United States Track Coaches Association All-Academic 

Track & Field team. Leppard was twice named to the GTE 

Academic All-District At-Large team and to the Verizon All 

Academic team. She was awarded a postgraduate academic 

scholarship by the NCAA in 2001 and was named NCAA 

Woman of the Year for the state of North Dakota her senior year. 

CC/Distance 

Holdingford, Minn. 

1998-2001 

April Maine’s first All-American honor came in 2000 when she 

placed sixth in the 1,500-meters at the NCAA Outdoor 

Championships. She qualified for three national cross country 

championships helping the team to a fourth-place finish in 1999 

and then earning All-America honors in 2000, helping the team 

to a second-place national finish. Maine finished her career as a 

member of three Fighting Sioux school record relay teams. She 

earned ten All-North Central Conference Track honors and was 

named twice to the All-North Central Region Cross Country 

Team. Maine was named three times to the NCAA All- 

Academic Cross Country team. She was a three-time selection 

to the United States Track Coaches Association All-Academic 

Team and twice selected to the North Central Conference 

Academic At-Large Team. She was also named to the 2000 GTE 

Academic All-District At-Large Team. 

KATIETIE 

MARSCHEL 



1998-2002 

Wendy Kinneberg 

Katie Marschel earned her first All-America honor with an 

eighth-place finish in the mile run at the 2001 NCAA Indoor 

Championships. She earned her second All-America in the mile 

with a sixth-place finish at the 2002 indoor national meet. 

Marschel won three individual NCC championships in track 

and left her mark in the school record books in two relays: the 

3,200-meter indoor relay and outdoor distance medley. 

Marschel’s cross country career was no less spectacular. She is 

one of only four Fighting Sioux cross country athletes to compete 

in the NCAA national meet in all four years of her Fighting 

Sioux career. She was instrumental in two of UND’s NCAA 

fourth-place team finishes and in the Sioux’s second-place 

national finish in 2000. In 2002 she earned All-NCC cross country 

honors. Marschel was named to the NCAA Division II All- 

Academic Team and earned two USTCA All-Academic Team 

honors in track. 

29

ALL-AMERICANS 

TALIAALIA 

MERRITT 

DANA 

OLIMB 

Throws 

Fargo, N.D. 

2001-03 

Merritt earned All-America honors in 2001 when she placed 

third in the discus at the NCAA outdoor championships. She also 

won the 2001 North Central Conference discus competition with 

a then NCC record throw. Her personal best of 173-10 her freshman 

year established a new school record and was one of the top 

ten all-time performances in the discus for Division II. 

JESSICA 

NEVA 

CC/Distance 

Jamestown, N.D. 

1999-2004 

Jessica Neva is the only Sioux female cross country athlete to 

earn All-America honors in each of her four years at UND. In 

2000, Neva’s 17th place finish at the NCAA Cross Country 

Championships helped the Sioux to a second place team finish. 

Neva’s All- America performances led the Sioux to fourth place 

team finishes at the 1999 and 2001 NCAA Cross Country 

Championships. She was selected three times to the All-North 

Central Conference and All North Central Region cross country 

team. Neva’s track career was also impressive. She garnered a 

total of four All-America honors in track, twice in the 3000 

meters and twice in the 5000. Neva won four NCC individual 

titles during her career in the 3000, 5000, and 10,000 meter runs. 

In her senior year, Neva set school records in the 5000 meters 

indoor and 10,000 meters outdoor. She was named three times to 

the NCAA Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic 

team and was a three-time United States Track Coaches 

Association All-Academic selection. 

Throws 

Grand Forks, ND 

2003-2005 

Dana Olimb was a two time NCAA All-America in the javelin. 

Olimb qualified for the 2003 national meet and placed 13th. In 

2004 she returned to the championships where she placed seventh, 

earning her first NCAAAll-America honor. Olimb narrowly 

missed winning the NCAA title in 2005, when she had a 

school record toss of 156-01. She finished in the runnerup position, 

good for her second NCAA All-America honor. Olimb was 

a five-time all-conference performer in the javelin and shot put, 

winning the North Central Conference Indoor shot put title in 

2005. 

KIM 

OLUND 

CC/Distance 

White Bear Lake, Minn. 

1994-98 

Kim Olund won the individual North Central Conference cross 

country title in 1994 leading the Sioux to the conference title. In 

1995 she captured the individual NCC championship and won 

the North Central Regional meet. Olund was a three-time cross 

country All-America twice placing in the top ten at the NCAA 

national meet. She earned three All-America honors in track. 

Olund won conference titles in the 10,000 and 5,000-meters and 

in 1996 set the NCC record in the 10,000-meter. She was voted 

the UND Rookie of the Year in 1995 and the UND Scholar 

Athlete of the Year in 1997. She was a two-time USTCA All- 

Academic team selection in track and was named three times to 

the NCAA All-Academic cross country team. 

30

ALL-AMERICANS 

HEATHER 

PARR 

LOUISE 

RONNERMAN 

Cross Country 

East Grand Forks, Minn. 

1992-95 

Heather Parr earned All-America honors in cross country leading 

the Fighting Sioux to a fourth-place team finish at the NCAA 

championships in 1994. She was named all-conference and allregion 

in cross country twice and was a two-time all-conference 

performer in track. Parr was named the UND Rookie of the Year 

in 1994 and the UND Scholar Athlete of the Year in 1995. 

SHEILA 

PEXSA 

CC/Distance 

Alexandria, Minn. 

1987-92 

Sheila Pexsa earned All-America cross country honors for the 

Fighting Sioux in 1991, and was named All-America in the 1,500- 

meters her senior year of track. Pexsa qualified for three NCAA 

cross country championships and placed in the top ten at the conference 

and regional championship meet each of her first three 

years. Pexsa earned three All-NCC and all-region honors in cross 

country. She was a three-time all-conference track performer and 

was named to the North Central Conference at-large academic 

team. 

CC/Distance 

Gothenburg, Sweden 

1991-94 

Louise Ronnerman garnered four NCAA All-America awards in 

the 1,500-meters and earned All-America cross country honors 

with a 12th-place finish at the 1992 NCAA championships. She 

came to UND as a transfer from Mount SAC Community College 

in California. Ronnerman earned All-NCC honors in every North 

Central Conference cross country and track competition of her 

Fighting Sioux career. She won NCC 1,500-meter titles in 1992 

and 1993 and set the NCC 1,500-meter record at the 1992 conference 

championships. Ronnerman was also selected to the North 

Central Conference At-Large All-Academic Team. An aviation 

major, she was named the National Collegiate Pilot of the Year in 

1993 and 1994. 

JESSICA 

SCHILL 

CC/Distance 


2000-04 

Jessica Schill earned her first All-America honor in the 1600 

relay at the 2002 NCAA indoor championships. In 2004, she 

set a school record in the 800 (2:10.18) at the national indoor 

meet, earning her second All-America honor. That same year 

she raced to a fifth-place finish at the outdoor national meet to 

pick up her third All-America award. As a freshman, Schill 

was a member of the 2000 cross country team that placed second 

in the NCAA meet. She graduated from UND holding 

three Fighting Sioux school records. Schill was a three-time 

USTCA All-Academic team selection in track and was named 

to the NCAA Cross Country Coaches Association All- 

Academic Team. She was also named to the NCC At-Large 

Academic Team and to the CoSIDA Academic All-District At- 

Large Team. In 2004 she was selected as the UND Female 

Scholar Athlete of the Year and was UND’s NCC honor athlete 

of the year. Schill was named the NCAA Woman of the 

Year for the state of North Dakota her senior year and was 

awarded an NCAA postgraduate scholarship. 

Louise Ronnerman (left), Sheila Pexsa (behind Ronnerman) 

and Steph Bruening (right) 

31

ALL-AMERICANS 

CINDY 

SCOTT 

TRACI 

WERNER 



1994-99 

Cindy Scott was named All-America in the 800-meters in 1998. 

She was a three-time all-conference selection in track and won 

NCC titles in the 1,000-meters and 3,200-meter relay. She qualified 

for three NCAA cross country championships and was a 

key member of the 1994 Fighting Sioux NCC and North Central 

Region championship cross country team earning all-region 

honors her freshman year. She was the 1999 UND North 

Central Conference Honor athlete and was the Fighting Sioux 

nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year award. Scott was 

twice named to the USTCA All-Academic team and the NCC 

At-Large Academic Team. 

DIANAIANA 

TRAGER 

Throws 

Winnipeg, Manitoba 

1989-91 

Diana Trager earned All-America honors in the shot put with 

a third-place finish at the 1991 outdoor national meet. She also 

qualified for national competition in the discus. Her best throw 

of 153-07 was a UND school record until 2001. Trager earned 

five all-conference awards finishing no lower than third in the 

indoor and outdoor shot or discus her junior and senior seasons. 

She was also named to the All-NCC At-Large Academic 

Team. 

Throws 

Appleton, Wis. 

1990-91 

Traci Werner was a two-time All-America in the shotput. 

Werner still holds the Fighting Sioux record for both the 

indoor and outdoor shot. In two years of NCC competition she 

placed no lower than second in the indoor or outdoor shot put 

and discus. She won two North Central Conference shot put 

titles before she was forced by injury to retire from throwing 

in 1991. 

JESSICA 

WILLIAMS 

Sprints 

Larimore, N.D. 

1998-2002 

Jess Williams earned NCAA All-America honors three times in 

her Fighting Sioux career, all in the 1,600-meter relay. 

Williams’ first All-America award came at the 2000 NCAA 

Outdoor Championships, where the 1,600-meter relay team 

placed eighth and set a UND record. That was followed by a 

fourth-place finish at the 2001 national meet, again in schoolrecord 

time. At the NCAA Indoor Championships in 2002, 

Williams earned her third All-America honor with another 

record-setting fourth-place in the 1,600-meter relay. Williams 

won two NCC titles while at UND and was a multiple all-NCC 

performer. She ended her career holding three school records 

and was listed an additional 19 times on UND’s all-time top-10 

performances list. Williams was three times named to the 

USTCA All-Academic Track and Field Team. 

32

CROSS COUNTRY HONOR ROLL 

ALL-AMERICANS 

Year Name NCAA Finish 

1991 Steph Bruening 14th 

Sheila Pexsa 

17th 


Louise Ronnerman 12th 

1994 Kim Olund 30th 

Heather Parr 

29th 



1998 Becky Leppard 12th 

1999 Jessica Neva 11th 

2000 Becky Leppard 2nd 

Jessica Neva 

17th 

April Maine 

25th 


2002 Carolyn Orsua 24th 


2007 Heidi Evans 16th 

NCC CHAMPIONS 

Year Name 



ALL-NCC AWARDS 

Year Name Place 

1985 Kristy Forsberg 8th 

1986 Kristy Forsberg-Aune 3rd 

1987 Sheila Pexsa 7th 

1988 Sheila Pexsa 3rd 


Sheila Pexsa 

5th 

1991 Steph Bruening 3rd 




Evette Edmondson 6th 

1994 Kim Olund 1st 

Heather Parr 

2nd 

Disa Hillstrom 

3rd 

Erin Bly 

10th 



Becky Leppard 

10th 


1998 Becky Leppard 2nd 

Carolyn Busse 

10th 


2000 Becky Leppard 3rd 

Jessica Neva 

4th 

April Maine 

5th 

2001 JoAan Murphy 6th 

Katie Marschel 

8th 

Jackie Auwarter 

9th 

2002 Carolyn Orsua 3rd 

JoAan Murphy 

5th 

2003 Jessica Neva 3rd 

Veronica Sackett 

10th 

2004 Veronica Sackett 5th 

2005 Margaret Landberg 3rd 


8th 

2006 Margaret Landberg 4th 

Rachelle Duerre 

7th 


8th 

2007 Heidi Evans 3rd 

Renee Aune 

7th 


10th 

ALL-GREAT WEST AWARDS 


2008 Brittany Brenny 4th 

Mandy Gefroh 

5th 

REGION CHAMPIONS 

Year Name 



ALL-REGION 


1985 Kristy Forsberg 8th 

1986 Kristy Forsberg-Aune 5th 




Sheila Pexsa 

7th 





Evette Edmondson 10th 

1994 Kim Olund 2nd 

Heather Parr 

3rd 

Disa Hillstrom 

5th 

Erin Bly 

12th 


Traci Korynta 

11th 


Becky Leppard 

10th 

Traci Korynta 

13th 


1998 Becky Leppard 1st 

April Maine 

15th 


April Maine 

10th 

Carolyn Busse 

12th 


Jessica Neva 

8th 


2002 Carolyn Orsua 12th 


2007 Heidi Evans 5th 

NCAA TEAM FINISHES 

Year 

Place 

1991 5th 

1992 4th 

1994 4th 

1995 13th 

1996 4th 

1998 13th 

1999 4th 

2000 2nd 

2001 4th 

2004 15th 

2006 13th 

2007 16th 

NCC & REGIONAL TEAM 

FINISHES 

Year NCC Finish Region Finish 

1990 6th 7th 

1991 3rd 3rd 

1992 1st 2nd 

1993 5th 5th 

1994 1st 1st 

1995 2nd 2nd 

1996 1st 2nd 

1997 5th 5th 

1998 4th 3rd 

1999 5th 2nd 

2000 2nd 4th 

2001 1st 3rd 

2002 3rd 6th 

2003 4th 7th 

2004 3rd 5th 

2005 2nd 6th 

2006 1st 5th 

2007 2nd 5th 

NCAA II CROSS COUNTRY 

COACHES ASSOCIATION 

INDIVIDUAL ALL-ACADEMIC 

TEAM 

Year Name 

1991 Steph Bruening, Sheila Pexsa 

1992 Steph Bruening, Louise 

Ronnerman 

1993 Erin Bly 

1994 Erin Bly, Heather Parr 

1995 Traci Korynta, Kim Olund, Christy 

Rygh 

1996 Jenny Diedrich, Disa Hillstrom, 

Traci Korynta, Kim Olund, Cindy 

Scott 

1997 Disa Hillstrom, Traci Korynta, 

Becky Leppard, Kim Olund 

1998 Becky Leppard, April Maine, Heidi 

Meehan 

1999 Carolyn Busse, April Maine 

2000 Becky Leppard, April Maine, 

Jessica Neva 

2001 Carolyn Busse, Katie Marschel, 

JoAan Murphy, Jessica Neva, 

Jessica Schill 

2002 Carolyn Orsua, JoAan Murphy 

2003 Jessie Lichter, Jessica Neva, 


2004 Brittany Beeson, Jessie Lichter, 

Margaret Landberg 

2005 Rachelle Duerre, Kristy Keithley, 

Margaret Landberg, Jessie Lichter, 


2006 Rachelle Duerre, Kristy Keithley, 

Mandy Gefroh, Margaret 

Landberg, Callie Malone 

2007 Renee Aune, Heidi Evans, 

Mandy Gefroh, Kristy Keithley 

NCAA CROSS COUNTRY 

COACHES ASSOCIATION ALL- 

ACADEMIC TEAM GPA 

Year GPA National Rank 

1995 3.54 4th 

1996 3.75 2nd 

1997 3.49 13th 

1998 3.52 9th 

1999 3.41 25th 

2000 3.64 2nd 

2001 3.42 25th 

2002 3.47 18th 

2003 3.60 10th 

2004 3.57 10th 

2005 3.62 10th 

2006 3.66 12th 

2007 3.51 31st 

2008 3.36 --- 

33

TRACK AND FIELD HONOR ROLL 

34 

ALL-AMERICANS 

INDOOR 

Year Name Event Place 

1987 Allyson Grohnke High Jump 5th 

1988 Wendy Kinneberg High Jump 5th 

1989 Wendy Kinneberg High Jump 5th 

Traci Werner Shotput 5th 

1990 Wendy Kinneberg High Jump 3rd 

1991 Steph Bruening 1,500 2nd 

1992 Sheila Pexsa 1,500 6th 

1993 Steph Bruening 1,500 5th 

3,000 2nd 

Marie Crep 800 3rd 

Louise Ronnerman 1,500 3rd 

1994 Steph Bruening 5,000 3rd 

Marie Crep 800 1st 

Louise Ronnerman 1,500 6th 

1996 Kim Olund 5,000 5th 

1999 Becky Leppard Mile 5th 

2000 Julie Johnson High Jump 6th 

Becky Leppard Mile 2nd 

2001 Julie Johnson High Jump 4th 

Becky Leppard Mile 2nd 

Katie Marschel Mile 8th 

2002 Julie Johnson High Jump 3rd 

Katie Marschel Mile 6th 

Jessica Neva 5,000 8th 

Jackie Auwarter 800 8th 

Jessica Williams 1,600 relay 4th 

Jessica Schill 1,600 relay 4th 

April Bielejeski 1,600 relay 4th 

Heidi Faul 1,600 relay 4th 

2003 Julie Johnson High Jump 2nd 

2004 Jessica Neva 5,000 5th 

Jessica Schill 800 6th 

2007 Heidi Evans 800 6th 

2008 Jessica Clausnitzer Pole vault 5th 

Kate LaRoche Pole vault 8th 

OUTDOOR 

Year Name Event Place 

1990 Steph Bruening 3000 6th 

Traci Werner Shot Put 6th 

1991 Diana Trager Shot Put 3rd 

1992 Louise Ronnerman 1,500 4th 

1993 Steph Bruening 3,000 2nd 

5,000 2nd 

Marie Crep 800 6th 

Evette Edmondson 10,000 8th 

Louise Ronnerman 1,500 7th 

1994 Steph Bruening 10,000 7th 

Marie Crep 800 3rd 

1995 Kim Olund 10,000 8th 

1996 Kim Olund 10,000 5th 

1998 Cindy Scott 800 6th 

1999 Missy Berg 400 Hurdles 4th 

Becky Leppard 1,500 3rd 

2000 Missy Berg 1,600 relay 8th 



Julie Johnson High Jump 5th 

Becky Leppard 1,500 2nd 

April Maine 1,500 6th 


2001 Missy Berg 1,600 relay 4th 




Becky Leppard 1,500 2nd 

800 6th 

Talia Merritt Discus 3rd 

2002 Jessica Neva 3,000 3rd 

2004 Jessica Neva 3,000 6th 

Dana Olimb Javelin 7th 

Jessica Schill 800 5th 

2005 Dana Olimb Javelin 2nd 

2007 Heidi Evans 1,500 4th 

2008 Heidi Evans 1,500 1st 

Jessica Clausnitzer Pole vault 8th-tie 

NCC CHAMPIONS 

INDOOR 

Year Name Event Mark 

1986 Karen Bergantine Long Jump 18-04 

1990 Steph Bruening 1,500 4:40.17 

Wendy Kinneberg High Jump 5-08 

Traci Werner Shot Put 46-8 1/2 

1992 Evette Edmondson 5,000 17:58.10* 


Marie Crep 500 1:15.85* 

Louise Ronnerman 1,500 4:33.84 


Marie Crep 500 1:17.07 

Louise Ronnerman 1,500 4:38.91 

1996 Kim Olund 5,000 17:29.17 

1999 Becky Leppard 3,000 10:10.77 

Cindy Scott 1,000 2:57.17 

3200 relay 9:31.42* 

Jackie Auwarter, Missy Berg, 


2000 Missy Berg 800 2:15.96 

Heidi Faul 500 1:16.86 

Julie Johnson HJ 5-08 1/4 

Becky Leppard Mile 4:57.38 

3,000 10:11.69 

1600 relay 3:56.85 

Jessica Williams, Andrea Domaskin, 


3200 relay 9:34.70 

April Maine, Missy Berg, 

Katie Marschel, Becky Leppard 

2001 Becky Leppard Mile 4:58.36 

3,000 10:03.09 

Katie Marschel 1,000 2:58.82 

2002 Jackie Auwarter 1,000 2:55.45 

Katie Marschel Mile 5:00.00 

Jessica Neva 3,000 10:15.88 

2004 Jessica Neva 5,000 17:01.73* 

2005 Dana Olimb Shot Put 43-01 1/2 

Veronica Sackett 1,000 3:02.51 

2007 Heidi Evans 800 2:14.72 

1 mile 5:04.05 

Margaret Landberg 3000 10:24.61 

2008 Jessica Clausnitzer 60 hurdles :9.14 

OUTDOOR 

Year Name Event Mark 

1979 Ginny Hoop 200 27.00 

Barb Marks High Jump 5-01 

1980 Lisa Perrault Javelin 127-0 1/2 

1982 Lisa Perrault Javelin 127-07 

1987 Kristy Aune 1,500 4:32.80* 

1988 Shelly Ballard Discus 140-09 

1990 Wendy Kinneberg High Jump 5-08 1/4 

Traci Werner Shot Put 45-03 1/2 

1992 Louise Ronnerman1,500 4:31.46* 

1993 Steph Bruening 3,000 9:44.04* 

Evette Edmondson 5,000 17:21.52 

Liesa Swenson 400 Hurdles 61.00 


Marie Crep 400 56.84 

1996 Kim Olund 10,000 35:54.00* 

5,000 17:36.18 

1999 Missy Berg 400 Hurdles 61.93 

Becky Leppard 1,500 4:35.70 

3,000 10:04.57 

2000 Becky Leppard 1,500 4:33.86 

3,000 10:06.43 

2001 Becky Leppard 1,500 4:30.88* 

800 2:11.7 

Talia Merritt Discus 162-04* 

1600 Relay 3:49.04 

Jessica Williams, Missy Berg 


2002 JoAan Murphy 10,000 37:42.96 

Jessica Neva 3,000 10:05.61 

2004 Jessica Neva 10,000 35.33.10 

5,000 17:55.10 

Veronica Sackett Steeple 10:58.70* 

2005 Veronica Sackett Steeple 11:09.53 

2006 Veronica Sackett Steeple 11:01.51 

Danye Guinn Discus 143-01 

2007 Heidi Evans 1500 4:30.38* 

Kristy Keithley 10000 37:01.78 

2008 Heidi Evans 1500 4:31.77 

Heidi Evans 3000 10:06.71 

*Established NCC Record 

NCAA II TEAM FINISH 

Year Indoor Outdoor 

1987 21st --- 

1988 --- --- 

1989 21st --- 

1990 15th 28th 

1991 14th 29th 

1992 19th 32nd 

1993 5th 11th 

1994 6th 23rd 

1995 --- 43rd 

1996 25th 36th 

1997 --- --- 

1998 --- 35th 

1999 24th 22nd 

2000 12th 16th 

2001 13th 12th 

2002 10th 34th 

2003 

2004 

20th 

21st 

--- 

30th 

2005 --- 31st 

2006 --- --- 

2007 35th 40th 

2008 26th 26th 

NCC TRACK ATHLETE OF THE 

CHAMPIONSHIPS 

Year 

Athlete 

2008 Heidi Evans

TRACK AND FIELD HONOR ROLL 

U.S. TRACK COACHES 

ASSOCIATION INDIVIDUAL 

ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM 

Year Name 

1994 Vicky Besette, Erin Bly 

Steph Bruening 

Louise Ronnerman 


1996 Autumn Ballweber, Vicky Besette 

Kim Olund 

1998 Missy Berg, Becky Leppard 

April Maine, Cindy Scott 

1999 Missy Berg, Kati Drellack 

Traci Korynta, Becky Leppard 

Lisbeth Pederson, Cindy Scott 

2000 Missy Berg, April Bielejeski 

Carolyn Busse, Becky Cable 

Heidi Faul, Rebecca Goodman 

Julie Johnson, Becky Leppard 

April Maine, Shosti Vorachek 


2001 Missy Berg, Carolyn Busse 


Rebecca Goodman, Julie Johnson 


Katie Marschel, Jessica Neva 

Jessica Schill, Shosti Vorachek 


2002 April Bielejeski, Carolyn Busse 

Heidi Faul, Julie Johnson 

Katie Marschel, JoAan Murphy 

Jessica Neva, Jessica Schill 


2003 Julie Johnson, Jackie Kensinger 

Beth Morris, JoAan Murphy 


2004 Jackie Kensinger, Jessica Neva 


2005 Britt Beeson, Jessica Boger 

Rachelle Duerre, Heidi Evans 

Rachel Sackett, Veronica Sackett 

2006 Heidi Evans, Jessica Boger, 

Michelle Burgard, Nicole 

Dahlstrom, Rachelle Duerre, Renee 

Aune, Veronica Sackett 

2007 Heidi Evans, Kristy Keithley, 

Michelle Burgard, Nicole 

Dahlstrom, Renee Aune 

2008 Jessica Clausnitzer, Heidi Evans 

U.S. COACHES ASSOCIATION 

ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM GPA 

Year GPA National Rank 

1994 3.39 2nd 

1995 3.39 1st 

1996 3.42 1st 

1997 3.47 2nd 

1998 3.45 2nd 

1999 3.51 1st 

2000 3.52 1st 

2001 3.51 1st 

2002 3.39 7th 

2003 3.45 6th 

2004 3.45 5th 

2005 3.46 

2006 3.69 2nd 

2007 3.52 3rd 

2008 3.45 10th 

NCC AT-LARGE ACADEMIC 

TEAM 

Year Name 

1983 Jeanne Likar 

1984 Mary Martian, Kari McIntire 

Lisa Roesler, Loni Ulrich 



1988 Barb Bergantine 




Wendy Kinneberg*, Sheila Pexsa* 

Diana Trager* 

1993 Steph Bruening, Jessica Dart* 

Louise Ronnerman* 

1994 Steph Bruening, Erin Bly 

Heather Parr 

1995 Erin Bly, Traci Korynta 

Kim Olund, Vicky Besette* 

Heather Parr*, Kari Ward* 

1997 Kim Olund, Cindy Scott 

Traci Korynta, Christy Rygh 

1998 Christy Rygh, Cindy Scott 

1999 Traci Korynta, Becky Leppard 

Cindy Scott, Missy Berg* 

Chantel Larson* 

2000 Becky Leppard, April Maine 


April Maine, Jen Halstenson* 

2002 April Bielejeski, Jessica Neva 

Carolyn Busse*, Heidi Faul* 

Jen Halstenson*, Katie Marschel* 

JoAan Murphy*, Jessica Schill* 

Jessica Williams* 

NCC CROSS COUNTRY/TRACK 

& FIELD ACADEMIC TEAM 

2003 Heidi Faul, JoAan Murphy 

2004 Jessica Neva, Jessica Schill, 

Veronica Sackett*, April Bielejeski* 

2005 Britt Beeson, Michelle Burgard 


2006 Britt Beeson, Veronica Sackett 

2007 Michelle Burgard, Heidi Evans, 


2008 Nikki Dahlstrom, Heidi Evans 

*Honorable Mention 

COSIDA DIVISION II ACADEMIC 

ALL-AMERICAN TEAM 

Year Name 

1984 Kari McIntire (2nd team) 

1985 Kari McIntire (2nd team) 

1992 Steph Bruening (2nd team) 

1993 Steph Bruening (1st team) 

1994 Steph Bruening (1st team) 

COSIDA DIVISION II DISTRICT 

VII ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM 

Year Name 








April Maine 


2002 April Bielejeski (2nd team) 

2004 Jessica Schill (2nd team) 

2005 Veronica Sackett (1st team) 

2006 Veronica Sackett 

2007 Michelle Burgard (2nd team) 

Heidi Evans (2nd team) 

Kristy Keithley (2nd team) 

NCC SCHOLAR ATHLETE 

(Awarded to Top Female Student-Athlete) 

Year Name 


(cross country/track) 

1987 Brenda Schmitz (track) 



1999 Cindy Scott 




2004 Jessica Schill 


2008 Heidi Evans (track) 

UND FEMALE 

SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR 

Year Name 

1992-93 Steph Bruening (cross country/track) 

1993-94 Steph Bruening (cross country/track) 

1994-95 Heather Parr (cross country/track) 

1995-96 Vicky Besette (track) 

1996-97 Kim Olund (cross country/track) 

2001-02 April Bielejeski (track/soccer) 

2003-04 Jessica Schill (cross country/track) 

2005-06 Veronica Sackett (cross country/track) 

UND FEMALE ATHLETE 

OF THE YEAR 

(Awarded to UND’s Top Female Athlete) 

Year Name 

1999-2000 Becky Leppard 

2000-2001 Becky Leppard 

2006-2007 Heidi Evans 

UND TRACK/CROSS COUNTRY 

NCAA POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARS 

Year Name 

2001 Missy Berg 

Becky Leppard 


2008 Heidi Evans 

UND TRACK/CROSS COUNTRY 

NCAA WOMAN OF THE YEAR 

AWARD NOMINEES 

Year Name 


(National Top 10 finalist) 

1999 Cindy Scott 


(State of North Dakota Winner) 


(State of North Dakota Winner) 

35

WHERE ARE THEY NOW 

Steph (Bruening) Payne earned 10 All-America honors while a member 

of the Fighting Sioux women’s track team. Payne was inducted into the 

Fighting Sioux Hall of Fame in 2005, an experience she said she will 

never forget. Payne currently holds three records at UND and is only 

one of three NCAA Division II athletes to earn All-America honors in 

every distance event (1,500, 3,000, 5,000 and 10,000-meters). 

Payne first considered attending UND because of the combination of 

the physical therapy program the school offers (as that’s what Payne 

thought she wanted to major in), as well as looking for a team to run 

with. In addition, a high school teammate was competing at UND and 

she (Sheila Pexsa Pressler) also played a large part in getting Payne to 

UND. 

However, Payne had a bit of an uphill battle in her first year of cross 

country, as she sat out at least half of the season with serious shin problems. 

Payne said it was an extremely hard year for her, but in making it 

through she believes she became a stronger person as it made her even 

more passionate for running and being successful. Because of injuries, 

Payne said she became a daily visitor in the training room and the great 

staff and student trainers helped her work through her ailments. 

Payne was a member of the 1992 NCC championship team. Head 

coach Dick Clay believes Payne ws a large part of that title; she had 

confidence in the team and knew they were capable of winning. 

“Stephanie had a range of abilities as a runner,” said Clay. “She was 

very competitive and driven in everything she did, which is how she 

leads her life. Being so well disciplined allowed Stephanie to be a quiet 

leader who chose to lead by example.” 

Being a student-athlete at UND provided Payne with the opportunity to 

visit many different places in the U.S., due much in part to running in 

national meets. Payne mentions having the opportunity of running in 

Virginia in her first national track meet, as well as running in California 

in her first cross country national meet. Payne also was able to visit 

Texas, as well as run in Canada and various other places, as a UND 

student-athlete. 

Payne, who graduated from UND in 1994 with a degree in physical 

education, is now married to Alex, a high school teacher/coach/athletics 

director. The Paynes have four sons ranging in age from 3 to 10. The 

eldest two sons play on year-round tournament baseball teams, while 

the third oldest son can be found playing league t-ball. Over the course 

of the year, the Payne boys also play football and basketball, leaving 

the youngest son with the pleasure of helping his mom take his big 

brothers to all their practices and watching baseball games almost 

every other weekend. 

After leaving UND and a series of moves, Payne moved to Houston, 

Texas, where she has been teaching in a Lutheran Elementary School 

for eight years. Payne has been teaching children in grades 4-8 and currently 

has a classroom of 19 fifth graders. 

The Payne family is extremely busy between both Stephanie and 

Alex’a jobs and managing the family. Payne usually finds herself 

awake by 5 a.m. to prepare not only herself, but also her four sons for 

the day ahead. Payne’s husband, who is also a teacher, leaves early in 

the morning. Payne leaves the house by 7 a.m. and puts in a full day 

from 8 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. After school during the winter months, Payne 

coaches the fifth and sixth grade girls basketball team, with early practice 

going until 4:45 p.m. and late practices lasting until 6 p.m. On 

game nights, which is usually twice a week, Payne often doesn’t get 

home until 8:30 in the evening. In the spring Payne coaches sixtheighth 

grade girls softball and practice almost daily until 5 p.m., with 

games also twice a week. In 

addition to her teaching and 

coaching, Payne is usually 

running one or more of her 

sons to baseball practice. 

With such a full schedule, 

there are many nights the 

Payne family doesn’t get 

home until 8 p.m. Because 

of their hectic schedules, 

the Paynes look forward to 

summers when both 

Stephanie and Alex have 

some time off from school 

and life slows down a bit. 

When the conversation 

shifts to college and her 

mentors, Payne is quick to 

mention Coach Clay as one 

of her biggest supporters 

and someone she could 

always go to when she was 

struggling with anything. 

Payne also relied heavily on 

her teammates, especially 

Sheila (Pexsa) Presler. 

Payne said that Presler, who 

is two years older than 

Steph (Bruening) Payne 

Payne, she was always there 

for her when needed, even in times when things were rough. Even 

though the two were never that close in high school, they became best 

friends, favorite running partners and each other’s biggest supporter at 

UND. Payne believes she never would have made it during her first 

years at UND without Presler’s support. In addition, Payne mentioned 

her old weight coach as someone who taught her how to push herself to 

a level she never thought she could reach. 

And the compliments go both ways. “Stephanie always had such a positive 

attitude,” said Clay. “She always knew what to do in order to be 

successful. Stephanie was smart enough to know what her best event 

was going to be and what she could find the most success in, especially 

at the national level. She was always willing to take that step in the 

next event to find success.” 

Payne believes that being a student-athlete taught her how to manage 

her time and get priorities set. As a student-athlete, Payne said it was 

important to balance the two out so that she could succeed in both. This 

alone has proven to be valuable to her as she leads her busy lifestyle. 

Managing her time allows Payne to make sure she is giving her best to 

her job, as well as to her family and and friends. Being dedicated to 

two different things can be very difficult, but after having done it at 

UND and finding success there, Payne has been able to persevere 

through the tough and busy times of life after college. 

Payne’s advice to other student-athletes is simple: Stay positive and 

don’t be discouraged when things seem to be getting a little tough. 

Payne said it is a huge commitment to be both a student and an athlete, 

and can sometimes be a little overwhelming when trying to be the best 

at both. But Payne believes that if you have a great support staff in 

your coaches and professors, as well as your teammates, you can succeed. 

Payne believes it was only because of them that she was able to 

accomplish all that she has. 

36

INDOOR SCHEDULE 

Jan. 17 Bemidji State Super 8 Invitational ................................at Bemidji, Minn. 

Jan. 24 South Dakota ........................................................at Vermillion, S.D. 

Jan. 31 Cobber Open ......................................................at Moorhead, Minn. 

Feb. 7 Ted Nelson Classic..................................................at Mankato, Minn. 

Feb. 13-14 Iowa State Classic ......................................................at Ames, Iowa 

Feb. 19 Bemidji State Twilight ..............................................at Bemidji, Minn. 

Mar. 1-2 Great West Conference Indoor Championship ................at Vermillion, S.D. 

OUTDOOR SCHEDULE 

Mar 13-14 Aztec Classic ......................................................at San Diego, Calif. 

Mar 21 Trojan Invitational ..............................................at Los Angeles, Calif. 

Apr 4 Vance Butler Invitational ........................................at Sioux Falls, S.D. 

Apr 11 Marauder Open ......................................................at Bismarck, N.D. 

Apr 17 Azusa Pacific Invitational ..............................................at Azusa, Calif. 

Apr 17-19 Mt. Sac Relays ........................................................at Walnut, Calif. 

Apr 18 Long Beach State Beach Invitational ........................at Long Beach, Calif. 

Apr 22 South Dakota State Twilight ......................................at Brookings, S.D. 

Apr 23-25 Drake Relays ......................................................at Des Moines, Iowa 

May 2 Minnesota State Moorhead ......................................at Moorhead, Minn. 

May 8-9 TBA ..................................................................................at TBA 

May 14-16 Great West Outdoor Championships* ............................at Houston, Texas 

*Conference Games

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