Mavericks Begin Year in Memphis Twilight
Aug 28, 2014 | Cross Country
OMAHA, Neb. - The Omaha cross country team begins its third season in the Summit League with the first of six meets that leadi up to the league's championship in Fargo, N.D. on Nov. 1. The Mavericks open the season at the Memphis Twilight Classic in Memphis, Tenn. on Saturday, Aug. 30 at 9:20 p.m. It's the first of two straight night meets for the Mavs.
This Season
The Mavericks are competing in their 33rd season of women's cross country in 2014. It is also the final year of their four-year reclassification to Division I. They will eligible to participate in NCAA championship competition beginning in 2015.
The Coaches
Chris Richardson is in his second season overseeing the Omaha cross country and track & field teams as the head coach following six years as an assistant coach. Assistant coach Marc Bierbaum, now in his fifth season, guides the cross country team in addition to UNO's distance runners in track & field. Last year, Bierbaum led the Mavericks to a sixth-place finish in the Summit League Championship. Bierbaum was a three-time national qualifier in cross country and track at Dana College where he graduated in 2001. He is assisted by volunteer assistant coach Cliff Cisar.
Who's Gone, Who's Back?
The Mavericks had just two seniors on their 2013 squad, thereby bringing back the core of that team this season. Graduated senior Kayla Fenske was a four-year letter winner for the Mavericks while Brittany Phillips was a fifth-year senior. Fenske competed in four events last year while Phillips ran in five.
The Mavericks also lost two freshmen from last year's team. Standout Lindsey Bruns ran in the top three for the Mavericks in all six meets last year while Claire Cunningham competed in two meets.
UNO will be led by the four-person senior class of Ashley Kildow, MiKayla Peck, Kristin Rogers and Katarina Zarudnaya. Rogers was UNO's top finisher in three of the six meets last year, finished second in two other meets and third in the other. Kildow ran in the top five for the Mavericks in each event and had her best finish of the year on Oct. 19 when she ran second for UNO at Wisconsin-La Crosse. Peck was another steady contributor for the Mavs, competing in all six meets and finishing in the top five for UNO in all but one event. Zarudnaya ran in four of six meets last season and finished in the top four for UNO each time.
The Mavericks also will look to their juniors to make greater contributions in the upcoming season. Avery Schmidt ran in five meets while Jacqueline Mezick (4) and Emily Moore (3) also provided the Mavericks with depth. Perla Gutierrez, a transfer from Iowa Central Community College, will begin competing for UNO this season as a junior as well.
Four sophomores who also will try to crack the Mavs' top five include Kristen Carmichael, Catherine Davison, Karo Garcia and Kourtney Osentoski.
The Newcomers
Three true freshman, all from outside Nebraska, join the Mavericks this season. Alyssa Averhoff comes to Omaha from Cedar Rapids, Iowa where she was a three-year letter winner in cross country and track at Kennedy High School. Katie Bostrom is a native of Fargo, N.D. where she was an all-state performer for three years at Fargo South High School. Kayla Sabotin was a four-year qualifier for the state cross country championship while running for Waukee High School in West Des Moines, Iowa.
Up Next
The Mavericks will venture north to South Dakota for the Augustana Twilight on Friday, Sept. 5 at 8 p.m. at Yankton Trails Park in Sioux Falls.
This Season
The Mavericks are competing in their 33rd season of women's cross country in 2014. It is also the final year of their four-year reclassification to Division I. They will eligible to participate in NCAA championship competition beginning in 2015.
The Coaches
Chris Richardson is in his second season overseeing the Omaha cross country and track & field teams as the head coach following six years as an assistant coach. Assistant coach Marc Bierbaum, now in his fifth season, guides the cross country team in addition to UNO's distance runners in track & field. Last year, Bierbaum led the Mavericks to a sixth-place finish in the Summit League Championship. Bierbaum was a three-time national qualifier in cross country and track at Dana College where he graduated in 2001. He is assisted by volunteer assistant coach Cliff Cisar.
Who's Gone, Who's Back?
The Mavericks had just two seniors on their 2013 squad, thereby bringing back the core of that team this season. Graduated senior Kayla Fenske was a four-year letter winner for the Mavericks while Brittany Phillips was a fifth-year senior. Fenske competed in four events last year while Phillips ran in five.
The Mavericks also lost two freshmen from last year's team. Standout Lindsey Bruns ran in the top three for the Mavericks in all six meets last year while Claire Cunningham competed in two meets.
UNO will be led by the four-person senior class of Ashley Kildow, MiKayla Peck, Kristin Rogers and Katarina Zarudnaya. Rogers was UNO's top finisher in three of the six meets last year, finished second in two other meets and third in the other. Kildow ran in the top five for the Mavericks in each event and had her best finish of the year on Oct. 19 when she ran second for UNO at Wisconsin-La Crosse. Peck was another steady contributor for the Mavs, competing in all six meets and finishing in the top five for UNO in all but one event. Zarudnaya ran in four of six meets last season and finished in the top four for UNO each time.
The Mavericks also will look to their juniors to make greater contributions in the upcoming season. Avery Schmidt ran in five meets while Jacqueline Mezick (4) and Emily Moore (3) also provided the Mavericks with depth. Perla Gutierrez, a transfer from Iowa Central Community College, will begin competing for UNO this season as a junior as well.
Four sophomores who also will try to crack the Mavs' top five include Kristen Carmichael, Catherine Davison, Karo Garcia and Kourtney Osentoski.
The Newcomers
Three true freshman, all from outside Nebraska, join the Mavericks this season. Alyssa Averhoff comes to Omaha from Cedar Rapids, Iowa where she was a three-year letter winner in cross country and track at Kennedy High School. Katie Bostrom is a native of Fargo, N.D. where she was an all-state performer for three years at Fargo South High School. Kayla Sabotin was a four-year qualifier for the state cross country championship while running for Waukee High School in West Des Moines, Iowa.
Up Next
The Mavericks will venture north to South Dakota for the Augustana Twilight on Friday, Sept. 5 at 8 p.m. at Yankton Trails Park in Sioux Falls.
Players Mentioned
ATH
/ Cross Country
ATH
/ Cross Country
ATH
/ Cross Country
ATH
/ Cross Country
ATH
/ Cross Country
ATH
/ Cross Country
ATH
/ Cross Country
ATH
/ Cross Country
ATH
/ Cross Country
ATH
/ Cross Country
ATH
/ Cross Country
ATH
/ Cross Country
ATH
/ Cross Country
ATH
/ Cross Country
ATH
/ Cross CountryMonday, October 05
Tuesday, September 01
Wednesday, August 26
Friday, August 21
