Bethel University Athletic

General Information:

School: Bethel University
Founded: 1947
Location: St. Paul, Minn.
Enrollment: 6,200
President: Jay Barnes
Athletic Director: Bob Bjorklund
Team Nickname: Royals
Colors: Navy Blue and Vegas Gold

Season Outlook:

Jim Timp returns for his fifth year with the women’s team in 2009 after earning MIAC Coach of the Year honors last season. Noticeably absent from the coaching staff this year is assistant coach Emily Anderson. Taking over assistant duties this year is Nick Jones, a 2005 graduate and cross country / track performer during his years at Bethel.

With the entire women’s squad returning, the 2009 cross country season looks to build upon the success that was achieved last year, which saw the team earn their first ever bid to compete in the NCAA championship meet. Bethel finished 19th out of 32 teams at the national level, and Marie Borner (Sr., Cottage Grove, Minn. - pictured left) became the school's first ever cross country national champion, winning by more than nine seconds. In addition, the women placed fourth in the Central Region, and second in the conference, led by Borner’s first place finish, which earned her MIAC Athlete of the Year honors for the second year in a row. The Royals also return the three other All-Conference runners from last year: Alex Potter (Jr., Windom, Minn. - pictured below, right), who finished runner-up to Borner, Kristin Mork (Jr., Cambridge, Minn.) and Heather Jelen (Sr., Sioux Falls, S.D.). Others who look to figure prominently on this year’s team include Kayla Jelen (Jr., Sioux Falls, S.D.), Janelle Crary, (Jr., Grand Forks, N.D.), and Kristen Tengwall (Jr., Chisago Lakes, Minn.).

With an expected roster size of close to 25 runners, there will be many new faces on the squad this year. Much like last year, any number of new runners could emerge as top contributors to the team. After a great team finish last year at the MIAC and NCAA Central Region meets, the women’s team looks to contend for the conference and regional titles, and to use their national championship meet experience to place higher this year.