Dr. Kregg Einspahr, head coach for Concordia University, Nebraska's track and cross country programs, has announced that Jena Schwalenberg from Columbus High School, Samantha Lathrop from Arlington High School, and Sarah Kortze of Rockford Lutheran High School of Rockford, Ill., have committed to compete for the Bulldogs next year.
Schwalenberg was second at the 2008 Nebraska Cross Country Class B State Championships, finishing with a time that was third fastest in the state of Nebraska for any class. Schwalenberg competes in the 1600-meter and 3200-meter races in track. She follows in the steps of her brother Scott, currently a distance runner for the Bulldogs, and her father Jim who is a Concordia alumni.
Lathrop, in her first year of running cross country, finished 11th at the 2008 Nebraska Class C State Championships. Lathrop also competes in the 1600-meter and 3200-meter races in track.
Kortze finished second at the 2008 Illinois State Cross Country Championships with a time of 17:43 in the three-mile race. Kortze also competes in the 1600-meter and 3200-meter races in track. Kortze is the daughter of Don and Joyce Kortze, both of whom are Concordia alumni.
The Concordia women's cross country team finished 17th at the 2008 NAIA Cross Country Championships, keeping alive a streak of top-20 team finishes for the Bulldogs that now stands at 15 years.. Head coach Dr. Kregg Einspahr also was named the GPAC men's coach of the year in 2008.