Viterbo College Women's Cross Country

Metelko has built the Viterbo cross country program from one which had been discontinued twice due to a lack of interest, into a solid program with over 28 student-athletes in the program, each of the last seven years. Additionally, Metelko has grown the track and field team with over 80 student-athletes to be the largest in the conference.  In 2014, Viterbo hosted three cross country events including the 25th and final Midwest Collegiate Conference Championships. At the league's final, both the men and women harriers registered fourth place finishes while sending one to the NAIA Cross Country Championships.  The 2013 cross country season saw the V-Hawks continue to build a program with a tradition for academic and athletic success. On the men's side, Metelko helped lead the V-Hawk harriers to a fourth place finish at the MCC Championships and a first place finish at the Martin Luther College Invitational. On the women side, the V-Hawks finished third at the MCC championships and registered back-to-back first place finishes to begin the year.. Coach Metelko has now had athletes participate at the NAIA National Championships in five of six seasons in cross country with the 2010 season seeing the Lady Harriers qualify as a team. The V-Hawks qualified by winning the schools first ever MCC championship and finished 22nd as a team at the NAIA National Championships. Viterbo is Metelko's first experience as a head coach but he does have experience of being an assistant coach. Metelko joined the V-Hawks after serving as an assistant coach at NCAA Division I, University of Evansville. At Evansville, Metelko supervised morning practices, helped develop race and training strategies, provided scouting reports for upcoming races, and maintained race statistics to analyze performance and training progressions. During his time at Evansville, he earned his USA Track and Field Level 1 certification and also served as an admissions counselor. Metelko has now earned his USA Track and Field Level 2 certification and is a member of the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. Prior to his coaching experience at Evansville, Metelko found success as a runner at the University of Evansville. There he was a four-year letterman under the well-respected Coach Don Walters. During his time as a student-athlete he was chosen as recipient of the Most Improved Runner Award and the 110% Effort Award for his dedication to training and teammates. His personal records include 26:10 for 8k (at Drake University) and 33:51 for 10k (at Indiana State University) in cross country and 8:54 for 3k (at Tennessee State University) and 15:50 for 5k (at Butler University) in track competition. He also helped lead Evansville to their best ever finishes at the Indiana Intercollegiate Championship, Missouri Valley Conference Championship and the NCAA Great Lakes Region Championships. Once finishing his athletic career, Metelko graduated from the University of Evansville with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and is currently pursuing his Master of Science degree in Geography from Northern Illinois University. Metelko and his wife Beth currently reside in La Crosse, Wis. and have two beautiful daughters, Rose and Cecilia Ann.  begins her fourth season as an assistant coach with the Viterbo University track and field teams. During the 2014-15 academic year, Schnick will work with the V-Hawk sprinters and high jumpers. A successful runner and high jumper, Schnick comes to Viterbo after working with student-athletes at La Crosse's Aquinas High School since 2001. Durring this time Schnick has coached multiple state qualifying high jumpers and has also worked with sprinters during her time with the Blugolds. A 2005 graduate of Viterbo University, Schnick resides in the La Crosse area with her husband Nathan and their son and daughter.  begins his third season as an assistant coach with the Viterbo University track and field teams. During the 2014-15 academic year, Burish will  continue to work with the V-Hawk pole vaulters.  Prior to being part of the staff at Viterbo, Burish was an assistant coach at La Crescent (Minn.) High School. A decorated athlete, Burish competed collegiately at UW-La Crosse where he was a 4-time NCAA National qualifier in pole vault, and  5-time NCAA Track & Field Academic All-American. Burish also earned All-American honors (5 place) at the 2012 NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships with a personal best vault of 5 meters (16'5"). Burish graduated from UW-L in 2012 with bachelor's degree in Sport Management with a Coaching Competitive Athletics concentration and a minor in Business Administration. Burish resides in La Crosse and is employed with the La Crosse Area Convention & Visitors Bureau as the Director of Sports Sales.  Adam Schneider joins the V-Hawk coaching staff in 2014, working primarily with long and triple jumpers. Schneider competed collegiately for UM-Duluth. A product of Aquinas High School, Schneider was a four year letter winner in track and field for the Blugolds. A decorated athlete, Adam earned second place finishes in both long jump and high jump at the WIAA State meet, and still holds the Aquinas school record in high jump. Schneider currently resides in La Crosse.  begins his third season as an assistant coach with the Viterbo University track and field teams. During the 2014-15 academic year, Tully will work primarily with the V-Hawk hurdlers. An experienced coach and athlete, Tully came to Viterbo after serving as a coach at La Crosse Central High School and at DeSoto High School prior to that. As an athlete, Tully competed in track and field and football in college. Tully continues to compete in pole vault competition. A 1989 graduate of Luther College, Tully resides in La Crosse.