General Information:
School: Bethel University
Founded: 1947
Location: St. Paul , Minn.
Enrollment: 6,000
President: Jay Barnes
Athletic Director: Bob Bjorklund
Team Nickname: Royals
Colors: Navy Blue and Vegas Gold
2007 Finish:
Conference meet: 4th
Top Finishers: Marie Borner - 1st
Nikki Umhoefer - 3rd
Julia Holm - 32nd
NCAA All-Americans: Marie Borner, Nikki Umhoefer
Season Outlook:
Jim Timp returns for his fourth year with the women’s team in 2008. Noticeably absent from the coaching staff this year is assistant coach Dave Borner. Taking over assistant duties this year is Emily Anderson, a recent graduate and cross country performer during her years at Bethel.
The 2008 cross country season looks to build upon the success that was achieved last year. The women placed 4th in conference, led by Marie Borner’s (Jr., Cottage Grove, Minn. - pictured left) first place finish, which earned her MIAC Athlete of the Year honors. All-Conference runner Nikki Umhoefer finished third overall, and the two of them went on to become Bethel's fifth and sixth women's cross country All-Americans by virtue of finishing in the top 35 at the national meet.
Although the women’s squad lost Umhoefer to graduation, they will once again be led by the defending conference champ and All-American, Marie Borner. Joining Borner as co-captains this year is Heather Jelen (Sr., Sioux Falls,
S.D.), who spent last fall studying in Washington D.C. Jelen put together an excellent track season and just missed qualifying for the outdoor national meet. Others who figure prominently on this years team include an outstanding sophomore class of Julia Holm (Northfield, Minn. - pictured right), Kristin Mork (Cambridge, Minn.), Kayla Jelen (Sioux Falls, S.D.), Alex Potter (Windom, Minn.), and Kristen Tengwall (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 a top contributor to the team. After a great team finish last year at the MIAC and NCAA Central Region meets, the women’s team looks to move up in the conference and regional standings, and to also qualify runners for the national meet.
