Mavs Ready For "Challenge" at USD
Oct 10, 2012 | Cross Country
OMAHA, Neb. - The Omaha cross country ventures to South Dakota for the second straight week to take part in the Tim Young Dakota Days Challenge hosted by South Dakota. The 5K women's meet begins at 10 a.m. The Mavericks finished fourth overall at last year's event.
This Season
The Mavericks are competing in their 31st season of women's cross country in 2012. This is the second year of their reclassification to Division I. The Mavs will compete in five meets leading up to the Summit League Championship on Oct. 27. Because they are not eligible to participate in NCAA championship competition until completing their four-year reclassification, the Mavericks will finish the season at the St. John's Fall Invite on Nov. 2.
The Coaches
Steve Smith is in his seventh season as the head coach of both the cross country and track & field teams. He has led UNO to multiple conference championships in track in addition to several top five finishes in the NCAA Championship. He was a two time indoor coach of the year in the Mavericks' previous conference, the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). He is assisted by Marc Bierbaum who is in his third season. In addition to his work with cross country, Bierbaum coaches UNO's distance runners in track & field. He was a three-time national qualifier in cross country and track at Dana College
Last Meet - Briar Cliff Invite
The Mavericks put three runners in the top 10 to win the Briar Cliff Invite on Oct. 6 for their first win of the year. Senior Amanda Vorthmann was the overall winner for the second time this season, finishing the race with a time of 17:12. It is the fastest 5K time in school history for either cross country or track and field. It is also the fastest time for that distance in the Summit League this season and earned Vorthmann her second award as Summit League cross country athlete of the week. Vorthmann has led the Mavericks in all four meets this season.
Sophomore Ashley Kildow was second for the Mavs and sixth overall with a time of 18:14, and senior Nicole Behm was close behind finishing ninth overall with a time of 18:29. Kristin Rogers finished just out of the top 10, coming in 11th overall and fourth for the Mavs with a time of 18:38. Katarina Zarudnaya was fifth and 13th overall with a time of 18:42, giving UNO a pack time of 90 seconds.
Bumper Crop
The Mavericks added seven newcomers to their roster this season including six freshmen and a sophomore. The group includes three runners from Iowa in Kristen Carmichael (Corning/Corning), Carolyn Newhouse (Marion/Linn-mar) and Avery Schmidt (Centerville/Centerville). In addition, three of the newcomers hail from Nebraska in freshmen Karo Garcia (Columbus/Columbus) and Jackie Mezick (Bellevue/Bellevue East); and sophomore Michelle Gatewood (Omaha/Millard North) who was enrolled at UNO but did not compete. Michigan native Kourtney Osentoski (Temperance/Bedford) rounds out the group of incoming runners.
Next Up for the Mavs
The Mavericks finish the season at the Summit League Championships on Saturday, Oct. 27 in Rochester, Mich. The meet will be hosted by Oakland.
This Season
The Mavericks are competing in their 31st season of women's cross country in 2012. This is the second year of their reclassification to Division I. The Mavs will compete in five meets leading up to the Summit League Championship on Oct. 27. Because they are not eligible to participate in NCAA championship competition until completing their four-year reclassification, the Mavericks will finish the season at the St. John's Fall Invite on Nov. 2.
The Coaches
Steve Smith is in his seventh season as the head coach of both the cross country and track & field teams. He has led UNO to multiple conference championships in track in addition to several top five finishes in the NCAA Championship. He was a two time indoor coach of the year in the Mavericks' previous conference, the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). He is assisted by Marc Bierbaum who is in his third season. In addition to his work with cross country, Bierbaum coaches UNO's distance runners in track & field. He was a three-time national qualifier in cross country and track at Dana College
Last Meet - Briar Cliff Invite
The Mavericks put three runners in the top 10 to win the Briar Cliff Invite on Oct. 6 for their first win of the year. Senior Amanda Vorthmann was the overall winner for the second time this season, finishing the race with a time of 17:12. It is the fastest 5K time in school history for either cross country or track and field. It is also the fastest time for that distance in the Summit League this season and earned Vorthmann her second award as Summit League cross country athlete of the week. Vorthmann has led the Mavericks in all four meets this season.
Sophomore Ashley Kildow was second for the Mavs and sixth overall with a time of 18:14, and senior Nicole Behm was close behind finishing ninth overall with a time of 18:29. Kristin Rogers finished just out of the top 10, coming in 11th overall and fourth for the Mavs with a time of 18:38. Katarina Zarudnaya was fifth and 13th overall with a time of 18:42, giving UNO a pack time of 90 seconds.
Bumper Crop
The Mavericks added seven newcomers to their roster this season including six freshmen and a sophomore. The group includes three runners from Iowa in Kristen Carmichael (Corning/Corning), Carolyn Newhouse (Marion/Linn-mar) and Avery Schmidt (Centerville/Centerville). In addition, three of the newcomers hail from Nebraska in freshmen Karo Garcia (Columbus/Columbus) and Jackie Mezick (Bellevue/Bellevue East); and sophomore Michelle Gatewood (Omaha/Millard North) who was enrolled at UNO but did not compete. Michigan native Kourtney Osentoski (Temperance/Bedford) rounds out the group of incoming runners.
Next Up for the Mavs
The Mavericks finish the season at the Summit League Championships on Saturday, Oct. 27 in Rochester, Mich. The meet will be hosted by Oakland.
Players Mentioned
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Wednesday, August 26
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