Marquette University Women's Cross Country

Nelson enters his ninth season as the head cross country coach and assistant track and field coach in 2015-16. He has guided the cross country team since his arrival in August 2007 and overseen multiple Marquette record holders on the track, in addition to several top-freshman marks. Five of his student-athletes have also earned All-Great Lakes Region recognition in cross country. Under Nelson's guidance and dedication, Marquette has twice hosted the BIG EAST Conference Championships (2009 & 2013) at the Wayne E. Dannehl National Cross Country Course. Nelson played a lead role in getting the winning bid to host a conference championship, the first since Marquette hosted as a member of Conference-USA in 1996. Academically, four student-athletes have earned CoSIDA Academic All-District honors seven times, while both Peter Bolgert ('12) and Olivia Johnson ('12) earned Academic All-America honors in 2010-11 and 2011-12. The 2010-11 year was the first time athletes at Marquette had earned Academic All-America first team (Bolgert) honors in any sport at Marquette since 1996-97. On the track, Nelson has coached five individual school-record holders and two relay record holders. Alison Parker (800) and Kayla Spencer (1,000) each broke the school mark during the 2014 indoor season. And in 2015, the women's indoor DMR team of Jessica Parker, Cassy Goodrich, Jennifer Parker and Kellie Greenwood set the record with a time of 11:32.69. In the women's outdoor 5,000 meters, Nelson has coached three school-record holders. Jayne Grebinski ('10) captured the 5,000-meter record in 2008 with a time of 16:45.96. In 2015, that record was broken multiple times. First, by Kellie Greenwood (16:34.11) and then bested seven days later by Brittney Feivor (16:32.93). Also in 2015, the 4x800-meter relay team of Nicole Ethier, Jennifer Parker, Kirsta McClure and Jessica Parker ran to a blistering mark of 8:46.70 to earn the school's top spot in the event. Freshmen have flourished under Nelson in recent years with Alec Miller holding top rookie marks in the 800 and 1,000-meter indoor events in 2015. On the women's side, Jennifer Parker set the top 600-meter indoor time in 2015. Meghan Carroll also set the top indoor time in the 1,000-meter run in 2015, while Alison Parker (800 indoor) and Brittney Feivor (5,000 indoor) each etched their names at the top of MU freshmen lists in 2014. Alison Parker also notched the top-freshman time in the outdoor 800 in 2014. Nelson has worked with NCAA West Preliminary Round participants Grebinski (2010), Bolgert (2010), Blake Johnson (2010 and 2011), Olivia Johnson (2010) and Nick Szcech (2010 and 2011). He also helped Grebinski (2008 and 2009) and Cassie Peller (2008) reach the Mid-East Regional. The Fenton, Mo., native has also worked with seven USATF Junior National qualifiers and three individuals who earned All-American status at those championships. Nelson spent two years at Saint Louis University where he was hired as the head cross country coach in 2005, and then founded the track and field program at SLU in the Spring of 2006. The Billikens encountered immediate success in both competition and the classroom, competing in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Before arriving at SLU, Nelson spent two years as a graduate assistant for the Emporia State University cross country and track and field teams. He also worked with ESU's distance runners on the track and field team and served as the recruiting coordinator for the squads. Nelson helped lead the Emporia State men to a second place finish at the 2004 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Cross Country Championships. His student-athletes won the men's 5,000 meter and 10,000 meter runs at the 2005 MIAA Outdoor Championships as ESU finished second in the team standings. Nelson coached women's school-record holders in the distance medley relay, the indoor 1,000 meter and a national qualifier in the 1,500 meter. A 2003 graduate of Truman State University, Nelson was a four-time All-MIAA performer for the Bulldogs. He competed in the NCAA Division II cross country national championships as a junior and senior, and helped his team to a fourth-place finish in 2001 and a 14th-place finish in 2002 at the national meet. Nelson graduated cum laude from TSU with a degree in exercise science. He earned his master's degree in physical education from Emporia State in 2005. Nelson has his USA Track & Field Level I and II (endurance) Certification and earned his USTFCCCA Endurance Specialist certification in July 2011. Nelson's Marquette Cross Country Coaching Record Year Position at MU BIG EAST Cross Country Championships NCAA Great Lakes Regional 2014 Head Coach M: 6/9; W; 5/10 M: 18/30 ; W: 12/32 2013 Head Coach M: 5/9; W: 6/10 M: 17/31 ; W: 14/33 2012 Head Coach M: 8/14, W: 7/15 M: 15/30, W: 16/32 2011 Head Coach M: 7/14, W: 9/16 M: 8/31, W: 17/33 2010 Head Coach M: 8/14, W: 10/16 M: 10/31, W: 16/33 2009 Head Coach M: 7/14, W: 8/16 M: 12/30, W: 11/32 2008 Head Coach M: T-7/14, W: 7/16 M: 16/28, W: 7/34 2007 Head Coach M: 7/14, W: 7/16 M: 8/30, W: 4/30 Head Coach 8 years 2012 (M) Peter Bolgert (first team) (W) Olivia Johnson (second team) 2011 (M) Peter Bolgert (first team) (W) Olivia Johnson (first team) 2010 (M) Peter Bolgert (second team) 2012 (M) Peter Bolgert (W) Olivia Johnson 2011 (M) Peter Bolgert, Brice Cleland, Nick Sczcech (W) Olivia Johnson 2010 (M) Peter Bolgert 2015 (W) Brittney Feivor (5,000) 2014 (M) Spencer Agnew (1,500) 2013 (M) Jack Hackett (5,000) 2011 (M) Blake Johnson (10k), Nick Szczech (10k) 2010 (M) Peter Bolgert (steeplechase), Blake Johnson (Steeplechase), Nick Szcech (5,000) (W) Jayne Grebinski (steeplechase), Olivia Johnson (1,500) 2009 (W) Jayne Grebinski (steeplechase) 2008 (W) Jayne Grebinski (5,000), Cassie Peller (1,500)

Koenning helped Kathyrn Koeck set the Marquette outdoor hammer throw record with a toss of 61.12 meters. Koeck's brother, William, also set a school record during the outdoor campaign with a throw of 62.27 meters. He helped William Koeck place 15th in the 2014 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships. Koeck was also the 2014 BIG EAST Conference Champion in the weight throw with a Marquette record toss of 21.24 meters. In 2013, Koenning helped the Koeck siblings rewrite the top of the Marquette record book in the hammer throw during the outdoor season. William Koeck set a new program in the men's hammer throw with a top toss of 196 feet, 6 inches (59.91 meters) on April 26, 2013, while Kathryn Koeck notched the second-best distance in MU history on the women's side with a launch of 193 feet, 3 inches (58.91 meters) on March 15. Both ended their seasons at the 2013 NCAA West Preliminary Rounds by topping their respective seeds by six spots in Austin, Texas. After a successful freshman season under Koenning in 2011-12, Samantha Kennedy captured the gold medal at the 2012 Canadian Junior Track & Field Championships and competed in the Canadian Olympic Trials. During the 2011-12 indoor campaign, reshirt senior Jonathon Kusowski broke the Marquette weight throw record at the BIG EAST Championships with a toss of 63 feet, 1/4 inch (19.21 meters). Kusowski placed second at the championships to earn All-BIG EAST honors. A pair of athletes also competed in the 2011 West NCAAs in the hammer throw in freshman Bret Hardin and redshirt senior Jamie Roth. Koenning helped seniors Jeff Kluge and Rachel Thiel to the 2010 West Preliminary Round of the NCAA Championships, where they participated in the hammer throw and shot put, respectively. It was Thiel's second trip to an NCAA regional and the first time that two throwers had competed at a regional in Koenning's tenure. Senior Jessica Ehlen moved into second place in school history in both the weight and hammer throws in 2009. Koenning's guidance of Ehlen helped the Burlington, Wis., native reach the NCAA Mideast Regional where she finished just five centimeters short of qualifying for the finals in the hammer throw. Ehlen finished second in her flight. Koenning also helped Lauren Benjamin set the MU freshman record in the javelin in 2009 and qualify for the U.S. Junior Nationals. Overall, all four of MU's javelin throwers on the women's side recorded personal bests and moved into the top four on the school's top-10 list. Captains Jeff Kluge and Rachel Thiel also continued their ascent to the top of the MU record books. Kluge moved into the fourth spot in the hammer throw, while Thiel continued to lead the Golden Eagles in the shot put. In 2008, Thiel set the school record in the shot put with a distance of 48-11 at the BIG EAST Outdoor Championships, while also etching her name in the top-10 in the hammer throw. Thiel's distance at the Championships qualified her for the NCAA MidEast Regional. On the men's side, Robert Bleem recorded the second-best distance in the javelin with a heave of 189-3. The 2007 season was highlighted by a variety of throwers. During the indoor season Jessica Ehlen captured third place at the BIG EAST Championships in the weight throw, earning the first All-BIG EAST honor for the throws group as a member of the conference. The outdoor season had senior Damian Anisko set the school record in the hammer, plus qualifying to compete at the NCAA Regionals in both the hammer and discus. Mike Boedeker also had a breakout season with his 174-6 discus throw that qualified for NCAA Regionals and placed him fourth in Marquette history. Kelly Magennis had a stellar freshman campaign, setting the school record in the javelin her first season. In his first season in 2005 Koenning helped shot putter Emily Leklem earn a trip to the NCAA Regionals and an outdoor school record, winning five regular season events on the way. In 2006, he helped Jenna Mahaffey earn an NCAA Regionals selection in the discus. Koenning joined the Marquette coaching staff following a three-year stint at Wartburg College in Iowa. While at Wartburg, Koenning coached seven All-Americans and one national champion. His athletes established seven school records under his tenure and his teams won eight conference titles. As a student-athlete at Wis.-La Crosse, Koenning was the 2001 NCAA Div. III Champion in the hammer throw and was a part of two National Championship teams; the 2001 Indoor and 2001 Outdoor Champions. Koenning owned school records in both the hammer throw and weight throw. An exercise science major at LaCrosse, Koenning was a student strength staff member and has since been certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist by the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Koenning and wife Tammie have one daughter, Mikeila.

Bellford Email Coach Bellford Rick Bellford is in his third season with the Marquette University track and field program in 2015-16, where he coaches the jumpers and multi event athletes. "I am very happy to have Rick on board as our new jumps coach," Rogers said. "The jumpers are a very talented group and will greatly benefit from Rick's coaching knowledge and his personal experience as a former All-American. He brings a wealth of energy and enthusiasm." Bellford has coached BIG EAST champions in the pentathlon, heptathlon, decathlon, high jump and long jump. Hes coached NCAA Regional qualifiers in the long jump and high jump and NCAA qualifiers in the high jump. He guided high jumper Wally Ellenson to a third place finish at the 2015 NCAA Indoor Championships and a fifth place finish at in the 2015 NCAA Outdoor Championships. Ellenson advanced to the USA Outdoor Championships where he closed his season with a 12th-place finish. Bellford oversaw Ellenson as he won both the indoor and outdoor BIG EAST Conference titles, broke the conference's indoor record and set the Marquette school record in the 2015 season. Bellford previously worked for American Family Insurance before his entry into coaching, while working with jumpers locally at Pius XI High School and Cardinal Stritch University. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a bachelor's degree in 2006 and a double major in economics and political science. The West Allis, Wisconsin native left the Badgers as a multiple All-Big Ten performer in the long jump, triple jump, 100m dash and 4x100-meter relay, while earning All-America honors in the triple jump as a junior in 2005. He was also a member of a Big Ten championship 4x100-meter relay squad while serving as team captain as a senior in 2006. He currently resides in Brookfield with his wife, Desiree, and daughter, Brynn.

Rogers Office: Email Coach Rogers Bert Rogers enters his ninth season as the head coach for Marquette track and field in 2015-16, following three seasons as an assistant coach. Though Rogers oversees all aspects of the program, his coaching focus is on the sprinters, hurdlers, jumpers and the multi-event athletes. As head coach, Rogers has helped Marquette student-athletes to 40 NCAA regional qualifying marks and 14 athletes to the U.S. Junior National Championships, with four of them earning Junior All-American honors. Additionally, Rogers guided high jumper Wally Ellenson to fifth place in the 2015 NCAA High Jump Final. Ellenson advanced to the USA Outdoor Championships where he closed his season with a 12th-place finish. Rogers oversaw Ellenson as he won both the indoor and outdoor BIG EAST Conference titles, broke the conference's indoor record and set the Marquette school record in the 2015 season. Rogers led both the men's and women's teams to their best-ever finishes and both teams placed second at the 2015 BIG EAST Outdoor Conference Track and Field Championships. Seven Golden Eagles took home individal championships at the event.  Under Rogers' tutelage, sprinter Kyle Winter became the first Marquette student-athlete to claim a BIG EAST Conference indoor title, when Winter claimed the men's 800-meter run championship at the 2012 BIG EAST indoor meet. Rogers helped a school-record eight student-athletes reach the 2010 West Preliminary Round of the NCAA Championships, including senior high jumper Erynn James, who ended her career with a 14th-place finish. James along with distance runners Jayne Grebinski and Peter Bolgert all ranked among the top-25 athletes coming into the meet. Under Rogers' watch in 2009, numerous Golden Eagles moved up the top-10 charts in Marquette history. Rogers helped Erynn James continue her development into one of the top high jumpers in school history, tying the school record in the indoor event with a leap of 5-9.25. Sarah Verdoliva set the Marquette 800-meter run indoor record at the Alex Wilson Invitational with a time of 2:12.38, vaulting her past a 10-year old school record. In addition, Tyler O'Brien bettered his school record in the indoor 200-meter dash with a time of 21.87 seconds and Michael O'Brien continued his development in the sprints and hurdles, moving to sixth in the 500 meters and seventh all-time in the 400-meter hurdles. Jessica Ehlen, Jayne Grebinski and James each qualified for the NCAA Mideast Regional, while Courtney Kelly and Patrick Keeley earned all-America honors at the U.S. Junior National Championships. During the 2008 season, Rogers helped eight student-athletes break individual Marquette records, while three relay teams also established top MU times. Tyler O'Brien broke the 200-meter dash record, which had stood for 28 years and put in the second best time ever in the 100-meters, behind only Olympian Ralph Metcalfe. Former walk-on Carrie Schmid set the school record in the pole vault and the women's 4x800-meter relay team took first at the BIGEAST Conference Outdoor Championships. Rogers also saw O'Brien, Peter Bolgert, and Kristin Pelzel qualify for the USATF Junior National Championships. In 2007 Rogers helped six student-athletes to break Marquette school records, had three all-conference performers and saw Katlin Millin qualify to the USATF Junior National Championships in the 800m. School records were also set in both the men's and women's pole vault, with Kristin Stoniecki becoming the first MU female to clear 12 feet. In 2006, Rogers helped guide Matt Piekarski to the BIG EAST decathlon title, Marquette's first BIG EAST champion in any sport, and the NCAA Championships, where he finished 16th. On his way, Piekarski set the heptathlon and decathlon school records at MU. Rogers also helped 10 athletes break MU records, including Ray Bratchett who became the first MU athlete in the high jump to clear seven feet. In 2005, he coached Bratchett to an eighth-place finish at the USA Outdoor Junior Nationals in the high jump, and guided Jon Shaffer to a provisional qualification for the NCAA Indoor Championships in the 800m with a school record of 1:49.21. Shaffer also won the 2005 indoor C-USA 800m championship. Rogers came to Marquette after stints at UMKC and Wisconsin-Milwaukee. At UMKC, he was an assistant track coach for three years, helping five student-athletes establish school records. He coached Clive Baron to the 2002 Commonwealth Games in the 800m. In addition, Rogers also served as head boys track and field coach at Cedarburg High School from 1999-2001 and was the sprints coach for the Greater Milwaukee Track Club. Rogers earned a master's degree in sports science from the United States Sports Academy in the summer of 2007 and received his bachelor's degree in psychology and ethnic studies from Milwaukee in 1999. He was a four-year track and field letter winner and three-year team captain for the Panthers. Rogers was part of school record-holding indoor mile relay and outdoor distance medley relay teams. He has earned his USA Track and Field Level 2 Coaching certification for sprints, hurdles and jumps. A graduate of Parker High School in Janesville, Wis., Rogers and his wife, April along with children, Duncan and Aili, reside in Wauwatosa. Rogers' Marquette Coaching Record Year Position at MU All-BIG EAST Indoor All-BIG EAST Outdoor NCAA Outdoor Regional Qualifiers 2012-13 Head Coach 0 (0 men/0 women) 1 (0/1) 6 (3/3) 2011-12 Head Coach 2 (2/0) 1 (1/0) 1 (1/0) 2010-11 Head Coach 0 (0/0) 1 (1/0) 6 (5/1) 2009-10 Head Coach 0 (0/0) 1 (0/1) 8 (4/4) 2008-09 Head Coach 0 (0/0) 1 (0/1) 3 (0/3) 2007-08 Head Coach 2 (0/2) 2 (0/2) 5 (1/4) 2006-07 Assistant Coach 5 (2/3) 2 (0/2) - 2005-06 Assistant Coach 2 (1/1) 4 (2/2) - 2004-05 Assistant Coach Conference USA Conference USA - Overall 9 years at MU 11 (5/6) 13 (4/9) Head Coach 6 years 4 (2/2) 7 (2/5) 29 (14/15) 2015 (M) Wally Ellenson (HJ), William Koeck (HT), John Krzyszkowski (javelin) (W) Brittney Feivor (5,000), Kathyrn Koeck (HT), Cassy Goodrich (400)2014 (M) Spencer Agnew (1,500), William Koeck (HT), Bret Hardin (HT), John Krzyszkowski (javelin) (W) Carlye Schuh (LJ) 2013 (M) Jack Hackett (5,000), William Koeck (HT), Kyle Winter (800) (W) Kathryn Koeck (HT), Sarah MacCourtney (HJ), Carlye Schuh (LJ) 2012 (M) Tyler O'Brien (200) 2011 (M) Bret Hardin (HT), Blake Johnson (10k), Tyler O'Brien (200), Nick Szczech (10k), Kyle Winter (800) (W) Jamie Roth (HT) 2010 (M) Peter Bolgert (steeplechase), Blake Johnson (Steeplechase), Jeff Kluge (HT), Nick Szczech (5k) (W) Jayne Grebinski (steeplechase), Erynn James (HJ), Olivia Johnson (1,500), Rachel Thiel (shot put) 2009 (W) Jessica Ehlen (HT, discus), Erynn James (HJ), Jayne Grebinski (steeplechase) 2008 (M) Tyler O'Brien (200) (W) Jayne Grebinski (5,000), Cassie Peller (1,500), Carrie Schmid (PV), Rachel Thiel (shot put) 2015 Marcell KirkmanBey (110 meter hurdles), William Koeck (hammer throw), Wally Ellenson (high jump), John Krzyszkowski (javelin) Maya Marion (shot put), Tatyana Pashibin (high jump), Kathryn Koeck (hammer throw) 2014 Tatyana Pashibin (pentathlon), Carlye Schuh (long jump), William Koeck (weight throw) 2012 Kyle Winter (indoor 800-meter run) 2008 Cassie Peller, Kaitlin Millin, Kaitlyn Chambers, Sarah Verdoliva (outdoor women's 4x800-meter relay) 2006 Matt Piekarski (outdoor decathlon) 2012 (M) Peter Bolgert (first team) (W) Olivia Johnson (second team) 2011 (M) Peter Bolgert (first team) (W) Olivia Johnson (first team) 2010 (M) Peter Bolgert (second team) 2012 (M) Peter Bolgert (W) Olivia Johnson 2011 (M) Peter Bolgert, Brice Cleland, Nick Sczcech (W) Olivia Johnson 2010 (M) Peter Bolgert