Minnesota State University-Mankato Men's Cross Country

Ahonen begins his third season as the head coach of the Minnesota State mens cross country team. He also serves as an assistant coach to the men's track and field team coaching middle distance and distance athletes on the track.   In 2014, the Mavericks improved substantially from the 2013 cross country campaign. Earning their first USTFCCCA Regional Ranking under Ahonens tutelage, the Mavericks wrapped up their season by gathering a fourth place finish at the NSIC Championship, only six points out of third, and an eighth place finish at the NCAA Central Region Championship. Individually Josiah Swanson earned his second All-Region cross country honor by securing 19th place with a time of 32:20 over the hilly 10k course in Wayne, Neb.   On the track, the Maverick distance men have also excelled. During his first two seasons at Minnesota State, Ahonen has coached one individual NSIC Champion (Matt Stocker 2014 Indoor 1000m), one runner-up (Victor Bowen 2015 Outdoor 800m), and four third place finishes (Zach Gearman 2014 Indoor 600, Matt Stocker 2015 Outdoor 800m, and Austin OBrien 2015 Indoor Mile/Outdoor 1500m). Along with other distance scorers, these finishes produced valuable points in the Mavericks' consecutive sweeps of the NSIC Indoor and Outdoor Championships in 2014 and 2015.   On the national level, the Mavs have recorded two NCAA DII Provisional Qualifying marks in the Distance Medley Relay (DMR) in both 2014 and 2015. Individually, Alex Schoneberger (Indoor 800) and Austin OBrien (Indoor 3000m, Outdoor 5000m) have recorded Provisional Qualifying times for the NCAA DII Championships.   Academically, four Maverick distance runners (Jacob Ball, Josiah Swanson, Alex Schoneberger, and Austin OBrien) have earned USTFCCCA All-Academic Team honors. The 2014 Maverick mens cross country team were also a USTFCCCA NCAA DII All-Academic Team on account of their cumulative team GPA.   A native of Temperance, Mich., Ahonen was named the Minnesota State men's cross country head coach in the summer of 2013 after serving as an assistant coach on the Western State cross country/track and field coaching staff the previous two seasons. As an assistant coach at Western State, Ahonen worked with the distance runners and helped develop team and individual training schedules. He also served as an active recruiter and assisted with travel plans.   While coaching at Western State, Ahonen aided the development of 42 All-Americans, five national champions, seven national runners up, one Olympic trials qualifier, a men's cross country national championship and a women's cross country national runner up.   As a student-athlete at Western State, Ahonen amassed seven All-American honors including two in cross country in the 10k event and five in track and field including three in the 3,000 meter steeplechase and two in the distance medley relay. He served as a team captain for the cross country team for three seasons and the track and field team for two seasons. He was also a member of two cross country teams that finished in second place at the NCAA DII Cross Country Meet.   Ahonen graduated Summa Cum Laude from Western State in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts, double majoring in Environmental Studies/Politics and Government. He was the first student-athlete in Western State history to earn a pair of Capital One Academic All-American honors from CoSIDA when he accomplished the feat in 2010 and 2011. He was also a seven-time NCAA Division II All-Academic pick. Ahonen also served as an academic peer advisor where he helped schedule tutoring sessions and offer academic guidance. With the 2015 season, Loren Ahonen begins his third season as the head coach of the Minnesota State mens cross country team. He also serves as an assistant coach to the men's track and field team coaching middle distance and distance athletes on the track.   In 2014, the Mavericks improved substantially from the 2013 cross country campaign. Earning their first USTFCCCA Regional Ranking under Ahonens tutelage, the Mavericks wrapped up their season by gathering a fourth place finish at the NSIC Championship, only six points out of third, and an eighth place finish at the NCAA Central Region Championship. Individually Josiah Swanson earned his second All-Region cross country honor by securing 19 th  place with a time of 32:20 over the hilly 10k course in Wayne, Neb.   On the track, the Maverick distance men have also excelled. During his first two seasons at Minnesota State, Ahonen has coached one individual NSIC Champion (Matt Stocker 2014 Indoor 1000m), one runner-up (Victor Bowen 2015 Outdoor 800m), and four third place finishes (Zach Gearman 2014 Indoor 600, Matt Stocker 2015 Outdoor 800m, and Austin OBrien 2015 Indoor Mile/Outdoor 1500m). Along with other distance scorers, these finishes produced valuable points in the Mavericks' consecutive sweeps of the NSIC Indoor and Outdoor Championships in 2014 and 2015.   On the national level, the Mavs have recorded two NCAA DII Provisional Qualifying marks in the Distance Medley Relay (DMR) in both 2014 and 2015. Individually, Alex Schoneberger (Indoor 800) and Austin OBrien (Indoor 3000m, Outdoor 5000m) have recorded Provisional Qualifying times for the NCAA DII Championships.   Academically, four Maverick distance runners (Jacob Ball, Josiah Swanson, Alex Schoneberger, and Austin OBrien) have earned USTFCCCA All-Academic Team honors. The 2014 Maverick mens cross country team were also a USTFCCCA NCAA DII All-Academic Team on account of their cumulative team GPA.   A native of Temperance, Mich., Ahonen was named the Minnesota State men's cross country head coach in the summer of 2013 after serving as an assistant coach on the Western State cross country/track and field coaching staff the previous two seasons. As an assistant coach at Western State, Ahonen worked with the distance runners and helped develop team and individual training schedules. He also served as an active recruiter and assisted with travel plans.   While coaching at Western State, Ahonen aided the development of 42 All-Americans, five national champions, seven national runners up, one Olympic trials qualifier, a men's cross country national championship and a women's cross country national runner up.   As a student-athlete at Western State, Ahonen amassed seven All-American honors including two in cross country in the 10k event and five in track and field including three in the 3,000 meter steeplechase and two in the distance medley relay. He served as a team captain for the cross country team for three seasons and the track and field team for two seasons. He was also a member of two cross country teams that finished in second place at the NCAA DII Cross Country Meet.   Ahonen graduated Summa Cum Laude from Western State in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts, double majoring in Environmental Studies/Politics and Government. He was the first student-athlete in Western State history to earn a pair of Capital One Academic All-American honors from CoSIDA when he accomplished the feat in 2010 and 2011. He was also a seven-time NCAA Division II All-Academic pick. Ahonen also served as an academic peer advisor where he helped schedule tutoring sessions and offer academic guidance.

Head Coach Mike Turgeon        Education: UW-La Crosse (B.S. Health and Physical Education, 2005) UW-La Crosse (Masters – Sports Administration, 2006)        Competing Career: 2-time National Champion in Discus 6-time All-American (4 discus, 2 weight throw) 4-time WIAC Conference Discus Champion  1-time WIAC Weight Throw Champion 6-time NCAA Team Champion (3 indoor, 3 outdoor) 6-time WIAC Team Champions (3 indoor, 3 outdoor) Member of WIAC All-Time Men’s T&F Team        Coaching History Minnesota State (2017-Present) Winona State (2005-2017) Turgeon-By-The-Numbers at Minnesota State 1 – NCAA DII National Team Championships 4 – NCAA DII National Team Runner Up's 20 – NCAA Event National Champions  291 – All-Americans 24 – NSIC Team Conference Champions 196 – Individual/event NSIC Champions (109 men, 87 women) 23 – NSIC Head Coach of the Year 7 – USTFCCCA Central Region Head Coach of the Year 1 – USTFCCCA Division II National Coach of the Year Mike Turgeon enters his ninth year as Head Coach of the Minnesota State University men’s and women’s track and field programs. Since his arrival in the summer of 2017, Turgeon has led the Mavericks to unprecedented success, firmly establishing both programs among the elite in NCAA Division II. Turgeon works directly with the men’s and women’s throws groups and has coached 36 NCAA All-Americans (9 men, 27 women) and 3 NCAA individual national champions within his event group. Program Success During Tenure: NSIC Women’s Indoor Conference Champions: 2021, ‘22, '23, '24, '25 NSIC Women’s Outdoor Conference Champions: 2022, '23, '24, '25 NSIC Men’s Indoor Conference Champions:  2018, ’19, ’20 ’21, ‘22, '23, '24, '25 NSIC Men’s Outdoor Conference Champions:  2018, ’19, ’21, ’22, '23, '24, '25 Top 10 NCAA National Championship Placing: 2019 Men's Outdoor, 10th place 2021 Women Indoor, 2nd place 2022 Women Indoor, National Champions 2022 Men's Indoor, 6th place 2022 Women's Outdoor, 3rd place 2023 Women Indoor, 2nd place 2023 Women's Outdoor, 2nd place 2024 Women Indoor, 3rd place 2024 Men's Indoor, 7th place 2024 Women's Outdoor, 5th place 2025 Women's Indoor, 2nd place 2025 Women's Outdoor, 6th place In addition to competitive achievements, Turgeon has played a pivotal role in the infrastructure and long-term growth of Maverick Track & Field. In 2019, he led the planning and execution of $1 million in facility upgrades to the historic Myers Field House, which included the installation of a Mondo Super X surface, new throws cage, video boards, and custom wall graphics—cementing Myers as one of the top indoor facilities in the Midwest. Turgeon also spearheaded fundraising and planning efforts for significant upgrades to the outdoor track and field complex, enhancing the training and competition experience for current and future athletes. His strategic leadership has resulted in: Significant increases in scholarship funding/fundraising The addition of full-time coaching and academic support positions Program roster growth to the largest in school history In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Turgeon serves as Department Chair for the athletics department, representing coaching staff interests as a member of the Athletic Department Senior Administration Team. In this role, he plays an active part in university-wide planning, budget discussions, and initiatives focused on enhancing the student-athlete experience across all programs. Before joining Minnesota State, Turgeon served in multiple leadership roles at Winona State University, including Associate Athletic Director for the Student Success Center, Associate AD for Student-Athlete Services and Compliance, and Director of Student-Athlete Services. Coaching accolades at Winona State 5 NCAA Division II National Champions 38 NCAA Division II All-Americans 1 NCAA National Meet and All Time Record Holder in Weight Throw 4 NSIC Conference Championship Teams (2 indoor, 2 outdoor) 4-time USTFCCA Central Region Assistant Coach of the Year A native of Perham, Minn., Turgeon and his wife Abby  have two children Drew and Lola.  

Head Coach, Women’s Cross Country/Assistant Men's & Women's Track and Field Coach/Director of Operations - Distance - Jen Blue        Education: Minnesota State University Mankato (M.A. Sport Administration, 2001) North Dakota State University (Bachelor of Arts, 1998)        Competing Career: 4-time NSIC All-Conference (800 meters) NCAA Division II National qualifier (1997, 1998) Winner - 2010 Mankato Marathon Boston Marathon qualifier        Coaching History: Minnesota State, 2001-Present Blue By-The-Numbers as Minnesota State Head Women's Track & Field Coach (2000-16) 19 NSIC Team Championships 73 NCAA All-Americans 8 NCAA Individual National Champions 35 Outdoor Conference Champions 34 Indoor Conference Champions 6 – Top 10 National finishers (4 indoor, 2 outdoor) 3 – Conference Titles (2 indoor, 1 outdoor) as Minnesota State Head Cross Country Coach (2000-Present) 3 NCAA All-Americans 1 NCAA National Team Qualifier (16th, 2022) as Minnesota State Assistant Men's & Women's Track & Field Coach (2017-Present) 1 NCAA Division II National Team Championship 3 NCAA Division II National Team Runner-Up 9 NCAA All-Americans 8 NCAA Individual National Champions Hired to lead the Mavericks in 2000-01, veteran head coach Jen Blue has built the Minnesota State women's cross country team into one of the top programs in the upper Midwest. Blue is also the Director of Operations for the Minnesota State track and field programs and works with the women's distance runners. In 2022-23, Blue led the Maverick women's cross country team to a second place finish at the NSIC Championships. She then guided the team to third place at the NCAA Central Region Championships and 16th place at the NCAA Championships in Seattle, Washington, led by All-Americans Amanda Montplaisir and Makenna Thurston. In 2021-22, Blue's team placed fourth in the conference and 11th at the Central Region Championships. In 2019, the Mavericks placed fourth in both the NSIC and Central Region Championships. A USATF Level 1 certified coach, Blue has mentored student-athletes to nine national NCAA national championships during her tenure at Minnesota State and guided three cross country All-Americans. The Mankato native served a 16-year stint as head coach of the Minnesota State women's track & field program where she coached pole vaulter Amanda Frame to the first national track and field title for Maverick women’s track when she claimed the NCAA Division II indoor TF championship in 2004. Frame gained another indoor national title in 2005 and Katelin Rains earned three consecutive indoor pole vault national titles (2007, 2008 and 2009) and an outdoor title (2009) before Lauren Stelten captured NCAA DII indoor and outdoor championships in 2011.  Blue has guided All-American student-athletes in eight indoor and outdoor events, including Alissa Kurke (800m, 2005), Haley Kruger (800m, 2017, 2018), Amanda Montplaisir (3000m, 2023), and the MSU distance medley relay (2023) team. Outdoor All-Americans include Haley Kruger (800m, 2016), Bethany Otteson (steeplechase, 2003) and Amanda Montplaisir (steeplechase, 2022, 2023). Indoor conference champions include Haley Kruger (600m, 2016), Bobbi Patrick (600m 2018), Alissa Kurke (800m, 2005) and Amanda Montplaisir (3000m, 2023). Outdoor conference champions include Haley Kruger (800m, 2016), MaKenna Thurston (800m, 2023) and Amanda Montplasir (3000m steeplechase, 2022, 2023) Blue was named the Northern Sun Indoor Track & Field Coach of the Year in 2008 and 2009 North Central Region Coach of the Year after leading the Mavericks to a league indoor NSIC track & field championship.  She also earned 2003 North Central Conference Outdoor Track and Field Coach of the Year honors. Blue played an integral planning and organizing role in Minnesota State successfully hosting the 2008 and 2012 NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships. A 1998 graduate of North Dakota State University, Blue was a member of the 1995 and 1996 NCC indoor and outdoor championship teams. A four-time all-conference runner in the 800-meter run, Blue also qualified for the NCAA Division II Championships in 1997 and 1998. In the spring of 2001, Blue received a master’s degree in sports administration from MSU. An avid runner, Blue has competed in several marathons (including Boston) and captured the women's title at the 2010 Mankato Marathon. Blue and her husband Darren reside in North Mankato, Minn., with their son Carter.