The Gustavus Adolphus College women’s cross country team is set to begin the 2004 season under the direction of new head coach Jed Friedrich. The women are coming off the most successful season in school history as they claimed the program’s first ever MIAC title, finished third at the NCAA Central Region meet and finished 12th at the NCAA Championships.
“Our women are very excited to challenge last year’s success and reach even higher standards,” coach Friedrich commented. “This team works extremely hard in practice and is very dedicated to take care of the little things that make champions.”
The Gusties return four of the top five performers from last year’s squad.
The top returnees are Nichole Petersen (SR, Rochester, Minn.), Tasha Pike (SR, Rochester, Minn.), Ali Cordie (SR, Sartell, Minn.) and Mollie Lager (JR, Robbinsdale, Minn). Petersen, a three-time all-conference and all-region selection, is the top performer returning from last year’s team. She placed fourth at the conference meet and made her third consecutive appearance in the national meet in 2003 and placed 45th overall. Coach Friedrich expects newcomers Laura Edlund (FY, Forest Lake, Minn.) and Lydia Davitt (FY, Minneapolis, Minn.) to have an impact on the team this fall.
Gustavus reported for pre-season training on August 25th and will open the
season on September 4th at the St. Mary’s University Invitational.
General Information
Name: Gustavus Adolphus College
Location: St. Peter, Minn.
Founded: 1862
Enrollment: 2,525
Nickname: Golden Gusties
School Colors: Black and Gold
Affiliation: NCAA Div. III
President: Jim Peterson
Athletic Director: Al Molde
Athletic Phone: (507) 933-7617
History
First year of cross country: 1980
NCAA National Qualifications as a team: 2
Last NCAA National Championship Appearance as a team: 2003 / 12th
Sports Information
Sports Info Director: Tim Kennedy
Work Phone: (507) 933-7647
Email: timgasid@gustavus.edu
Sports Info Cross Country Contact: Mike Wilson
Work Phone: (507) 933-8411
Email: mwilson@gustavus.edu
SID Fax: (507) 933-8412
Web site: http://www.gustavus.edu/oncampus/athletics/wxc/
Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Jed Friedrich
Alma Mater / Year: Northern Michigan / 2003
Year at Gustavus: First
Head Coach’s office phone: (507) 933-7632
Assistant Coach: Dale Bahr
Player Information
All Returning Letterwinners
Ali Cordie (SR, Sartell, MN)
Mollie Lager (JR, Robbinsdale, MN)
Nicole Olson (FY, Elk River)
Nichole Petersen (SR, Arco, MN)
Tasha Pike (SR, Rochester, MN)
Brianna Vaa (SO, Moorhead, MN)
Letterwinners Lost
Ingrid Olson (White Bear Lake, MN)
Rachel Schwingler (Rochester, MN)
Jen Skalko (Eveleth, MN)
Key Newcomers
Laura Edlund (FY, Forest Lake, Minn.)
Lydia Davitt (FY, Minneapolis, Minn.)
Letterwinners returning: Total: 6
Letterwinners lost: Total: 3
Top Five Returning: 4
Top Five Lost: 1
2004 Schedule
9/4 St. Mary’s Invitational
9/11 Alumni Meet
9/18 Les Duke Inviational
9/25 Roy Griak Inviational
10/1 Pre-National Meet
10/9 Dan Hustion Invitational
10/22 ST. OLAF DUAL
10/30 MIAC Championships
11/13 NCAA Regional Championships
11/20 NCAA National Championships
2003 Results
9/9 Hannover Invite 2nd of 18
9/13 St. John’s Invite 2nd of 9
9/20 Les Duke Invite 1st of 9
9/27 Griak Invite 3rd of 26
10/11 Dan Huston Invite 3rd of 8
10/24 ST. OLAF DUAL 29-28
11/1 MIAC Championships 1st of 12
11/15 NCAA Regional Championships 3rd of 23
11/22 NCAA National Championships 12th of 24