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Media Guide: Men's Cross Country 2011

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Aquinas College Athletics Media Guide for Men's Cross Country, Fall 2011

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Page 1: Media Guide: Men's Cross Country 2011
Page 2: Media Guide: Men's Cross Country 2011

DATE EVENT/SITE

TIME

Fri., Sept. 16 National Catholic Invitational/South Bend, IN 5:00 p.m.

Sat., Oct. 1 Greater Louisville Cross Country Classic/Louisville, KY TBA

Fri., Oct. 7 Bethel College Invitational/Mishawaka, IN 5:45 p.m.

Sat., Oct. 22 NAIA Great Lakes Invitational/Riverside Park

11 a.m.

Sat., Nov. 5 WHAC Championship/Riverside Park TBA

Sat., Nov. 19 NAIA National Championships/Fort Vancouver, Wash. TBA

Sat., Sept. 17 Knights Invitational/Grand Rapids, MI 10:45 a.m.

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AQUINAS COLLEGE GENERAL INFORMATION LOCATION: Grand Rapids, Michigan FOUNDED: 1886 NICKNAME: Saints COLORS: Maroon/Grey PRESIDENT: Dr. Juan Olivarez ENROLLMENT: 2,518 students STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO: 15:1 SAINTS SOCCER HEAD COACH: Mike Wojciakowski ALMA MATER: Aquinas College (14th year) COORDINATOR: Dave Wood (17th year)

AFFILIATION: NAIA Division II CONFERENCE: Wolverine-Hoosier (WHAC) 2010 WHAC FINISH: Second in WHAC/16th at the NAIA National Meet SPORTS INFORMATION AND ATHLETICS SPORTS INFO DIRECTOR: Mike Wojciakowski SID PHONE: 616-632-2482 WEB-SITES: www.aquinas.edu, www.whac.net MEDIA GUIDE: Linda Nash VARSITY SPORTS: 18 ATHLETIC DIRECTOR: Terry Bocian ATHLETIC PHONE: 616-632-2474 FACULTY REPRESENTATIVE: Duane Ambrose :

2011 Men’s Cross Country Schedule Inside Cover Table of Contents/AQ at a glance 1 Aquinas College 2 Grand Rapids, MI 3 Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) 4-5 Aquinas College 125th Anniversary 6 Roster 7 Season Preview 8 Coaching Staff 9 Meet the Team 10-12

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Aquinas College, an inclusive educational community rooted in the Catholic Dominican tradition, provides a liberal arts education with a global perspective, emphasizes career preparation focused on leadership and service to others, and fosters a commitment to lifelong learning dedicated to the pursuit of truth and the common good.

Aquinas College is rooted in the Dominican traditions of prayer, study, community and service, combined with a deep respect for truth, honesty and integrity. In this spirit, we strive to create an environment in which integrity is prized and practiced. We expect all community members to uphold these values through honesty, fairness, and respect for others.

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Located on the eastern edge of Grand Rapids, Aquinas’ location allows students to reap the benefits of living in Michigan’s second largest city. With over one million people in the greater metropolitan area, Grand Rapids plays host to numerous festivals, concerts and cultural events each year. Aquinas’ campus creates a peaceful environment that is just moments away from the heart of downtown Grand Rapids. Residing on 104 wooded acres, the Aquinas College campus blends early twentieth-century architecture with modern-day structures. The campus is home to over 107 species of trees and shrubs, winding woodland paths and inviting creeks and ponds. Only 30 miles from beautiful Lake Michigan for a relaxing afternoon.

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Aquinas College 1607 Robinson Rd. Grand Rapids, MI 49506

Founded: 1886 President: Dr. Juan Olivarez Nickname: Saints Colors: Maroon & White Enrollment: 2500 School Web Site: http://www.aquinas.edu Athletic Web Site: http://www.aquinas.edu/athletics/

Concordia University 4090 Geddes Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48105

Founded: 1963 President: Charles Winterstein Nickname: Cardinals Colors: Red, White & Black Enrollment: 600 School Web Site: http://www.cuaa.edu Athletic Web Site: http://www.concordiacardinals.com/index.php

Cornerstone University 1001 E. Beltline Rd. Grand Rapids, MI 49505

Founded: 1941 President: Dr. Joseph Stowell Nickname: Golden Eagles Colors: Navy & Gold Enrollment: 1850 School Web Site: http://www.cornerstone.edu Athletic Web Site: http://www.cugoldeneagles.com

Davenport University 6191 Kraft Ave. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49512

Founded: 1866 President: Richard Pappas Nickname: Panthers Colors: Red, Black & White Enrollment: 2600 School Web Site: http://www.davenport.edu Athletic Web Site: http://www.dupanthers.com

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Indiana Tech 1600 E. Washington Blvd.. Fort Wayne, IN 46803

Founded: 1930 President: Dr. Arthur Snyder Nickname: Warriors Colors: Orange & Black Enrollment: 1471 School Web Site: http://www.indianatech.edu Athletic Web Site: http://www.indianatech.edu/athletics

Lourdes College 6832 Convent Blvd. Sylvania, OH 43560

Founded: 1958 President: Dr. Robert C. Helmer Nickname: Gray Wolves Colors: Orange & Gray Enrollment: 2616 School Web Site: http://www.lourdes.edu Athletic Web Site: http://www.lourdes.edu/StudentLife/Athletics.aspx

Madonna University 36600 Schoolcraft Rd. Livonia, MI 48150

Founded: 1937 President: Sister Rose Marie Kujawa Nickname: Crusaders Colors: Royal Blue, Gold & White Enrollment: 4000 School Web Site: http://www.madonna.edu Athletic Web Site: http://www.madonnacrusaders.com

Siena Heights University 1247 E. Siena Heights Drive Adrian, MI 49221

Founded: 1919 President: Sister Peg Albert, OP, PHD Nickname: Saints Colors: Navy Blue & Gold Enrollment: 1200 School Web Site: http://www.sienaheights.edu/ Athletic Web Site: http://www.shusaints.com

University of Northwestern Ohio 1441 N. Cable Road Lima, OH 45805

Founded: 1920 President: Dr. Jeffrey Jarvis Nickname: Racers Colors: Red, Black Enrollment: 4000 School Web Site: http://www.unoh.edu/ Athletic Web Site: http://www.unohracers.com/

University of Michigan—Dearborn 4901 Evergreen Dearborn, MI 48128

Founded: 1959 President: Daniel Little Nickname: Wolves Colors: Maize & Blue Enrollment: 8500 School Web Site: http://www.umd.umich.edu/ Athletic Web Site: http://gowolves.net

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Aquinas College had its origins in the Novitiate Normal School begun by the Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids in 1886 in Traverse City. The Novitiate Normal School was transferred to Grand Rapids in 1911, and in 1922 it evolved into Sacred Heart (later Marywood) College.

In 1931, the College was renamed Catholic Junior College. In 1940 the two-year program at CJC was expanded into a four-year bachelor's degree program and the name of the College was changed to Aquinas College.

Aquinas College was originally located in downtown Grand Rapids. In 1945, the college bought the former Lowe Estate on East Fulton Street where it has remained until this day.

In August 2011, Aquinas College will kick off a year's worth of festivities celebrating its 125 years of Catholic Dominican post-secondary education in Michigan.

The celebration of the College's quasquicentennial (125th anniversary) will be highlighted by four signature events that will shine a spotlight on the values that have guided the College throughout its history: prayer, study, service, and community.

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Name Yr. Hometown/High School (College)

Geoff Albaugh FR Middleville, Mich./Catholic Central

Jesus Alvarado FR Grand Rapids, Mich/Creston

Blake Bitner FR Grand Rapids, Mich/Kenowa Hills

Dan Foley SO Flint, Mich./Flint Powers Catholic

Ken Foley SR Flint, Mich./Flint Powers Catholic

Stephen Glinski FR Warren, Mich./Warren De La Salle

Mike Gravelyn SR Grand Rapids, Mich./West Catholic

Grant Gunneson SO Rockford, Mich./Rockford

Dustin Heiler SR Fowlerville, Mich./Fowlerville

Stephen Huizing SO Kentwood, Mich./East Kentwood

Charles Irmen JR Orchard Lake St. Marys/Oakland Community College

Jim Janisse JR Elk Rapids, Mich./Elk Rapids

James Lanciaux JR Fremont, Mich./Fremont

Devin Lea SR Grand Ledge, Mich./Grand Ledge

Andrew Libs JR Ann Arbor, Mich./Gabrial Richard

Kevin Mahar JR Hartland, Mich./Hartland

Alex Martinez FR Wyoming, Mich/Wyoming Rogers

Brendan Moloney SO Kalamazoo, Mich./Kalamazoo Hackett

Brad Perschbacher FR Grand Rapids, Mich/GR Catholic Central

Eddie Seymour SR Wayland, Mich/Wayland

Killian Smith JR Warren, Mich.Warren De La Salle

Kolin Stickney SR Bailey, Mich./Grant

Nick Thelen SR Grand Ledge, Mich./Grand Ledge

Andrew Vojtko FR St. joseph, Mich/Lake Michigan Catholic

Zach Stepanovich FR Grand Rapids, Mich/Forest Hills Northern

Aaron Stenberg JR Muskegon, Mich/Reeths Puffer/Muskegon CC

Caleb Teachout FR Grand Rapids, Mich/West Catholic

Zach Potgeter SO Muskegon, Mich/Muskegon Oakridge

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After disappointing endings to the previous two seasons, the Saints will look to "reinvent" themselves and get back to the basics that have brought them suc-cess over the years. A "team" first mentality has already been ingrained into this group and the dividends are already starting to show in practice. A strong summer of training has given this group of Saints the base to make this season one of the very best.

A strong core of upperclassman returns to the squad which holds the nation's longest current active streak of being ranked in the Top 25. The Saints have been a mainstay in the poll for 106 consecutive weeks dating back to September 2000. Coach Wojciakowski believes this team has all the intangibles to make a run at one of the top spots come "National" time. A strong work ethic coupled with capable leaders who have had to perceiver through both the good and bad times leads me to speculate that we are in store for an exciting fall. Coach Woj simply states. "I like this team".

The men will start the competitive season on September 16th at the National Catholic Champion-

ships hosted by the University of Notre Dame. The Saints will also take part in the Calvin Knight Invitational which will take place the following day. Aquinas will then travel to the University of Louisville and Bethel College for some early October competitions. The Saints will close the season with the annual NAIA Great Lakes Challenge hosted by Aquinas College, the WHAC Championship and the NAIA National Championships contested once again in Fort Vancouver, Washington.

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MIKE WOJCIAKOWSKI Men's Head Coach

DAVE WOOD Cross Country Coordinator

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DAVE WOOD Cross Country Coordinator -- Dave Wood begins his 16th season as the Coordinator of the Cross Country Team and Head Track & Field Coach. Wood's tenure has been nothing short of phenomenal. Wood has directed the men's and women's programs from the basement in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) to the head of the pack. The Saints' dominated in 2003 as they completed a clean sweep of the m e n ' s a n d w o m e n ' s W H A C i n d o o r t i t l e s a n d captured the WHAC women's outdoor title. Success under Wood's direction hasn't been limited to the conference level. Competing at the NAIA National Championships both indoors and outdoors, Saints' athletes earned All-American honors 81 times including four NAIA National Champions and four runner-up finishes during Wood's tenure. The Saints' success under Wood comes as no surprise. The 1972 Michigan Class A mile champion and a middle distance standout at Central Michigan University, Wood has been developing team and individual champions at the high school, junior college and collegiate level since his first coaching assignment at Grand Rapids Union High School, his alma mater, in 1976. A USATF Level II certified coach in the sprints and hurdles, Wood came to Aquinas after an outstanding twelve-year stint as Head Cross Country and Track & Field Coach at Ferris State University. Wood was honored with a total of 10 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) "Coach of the Year" awards while guiding the Bulldogs to 11 GLIAC Championships in cross country and track & field. In addition to having his teams consistently ranked in the NCAA Division II top 20, Wood was recognized four times as NCAA Division II Great Lakes Region "Coach of the Year." His succes at the national level was highlighted by 35 All-Americans, three National Champions and a seventh-place finish at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships during his tenure as Ferris State's coach.

MIKE WOJCIAKOWSKI Men's Head Coach -- A 1997 Aquinas College graduate, Mike Wojciakowski begins his 14th year as the Cross Country Coach and Assistant Track Coach at Aquinas College. "Woj's" success with the middle distance and distance runners has been exceptional. He has directed the men's and women's Cross Country teams to ten WHAC Championships, six Region VIII championships and twelve top 20 finishes at the NAIA National Championships, including a second place finish in 2004 (the highest national finish for any team in Aquinas College history) and a third place finish in 2008. An eleven time WHAC coach of the year, Woj's success on the track has been just as spectacular. The Saints have dominated the middle distance and distance events in the WHAC for the past 13 years under Woj's direction. He has sent numerous athletes to the indoor and outdoor national championships, 36 of them receiving All American recognition and has guided many runners to the Saints top five all time performance list. A USA Track and Field Level II certified coach in the distance events, Woj's knowledge, personal approach and work ethic has been responsible for developing the Saints distance program into one of the best small college programs in the nation. A four year varsity letter winner in both cross country and track for the Saints, Wojciakowski captained both teams during his senior year. An outstanding student as well as a runner, Wojciakowski earned Academic All American honors in cross country his senior year. Mike and his wife, Amorena, and their daughter, Cecelia (1), reside on the northwest side of Grand Rapids.

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Geoff Albaugh Jesus Alvarado Blake Bitner

Dan Foley Ken Foley Stephen Glinski

Mike Gravelyn Grant Gunneson Dustin Heiler

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Stephen Huizing Charles Irmen Jim Janisse

James Lanciaux Andrew Libs

Kevin Mahar Brendan Moloney Alex Martinez

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Devin Lea

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Zach Potgeter

Aaron Stenberg

Kolin Stickney

Killian Smith

Eddie Seymour

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Nick Thelen Caleb Teachout

Brad Perschbacker

Zach Stepanovich

Andrew Vojtko

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