Concordia Wisconsin coach competes at U.S. Olympic Trials
MEQUON, Wis. -- Current Concordia Wisconsin Assistant Cross Country and Track and Field Coach, Amanda Lorenzen competed at the highest level of her storied career. On July 3, Lorenzen competed in the 3,000 meter Steeplechase Finals at the U.S. Olympic Trials.

Three days prior to competing in the finals, Lorenzen qualified with a time of 9:58.92, to become one of fourteen racers. During the finals of the 3,000-meter Steeplechase event, Lorenzen finished seventh overall. The top three runners advanced to the Olympics in Beijing, China. Lorenzen finished sixteen seconds off third and twenty-two seconds off first place.

While competing in the 3,000-meter Steeplechase event in Eugene, OR, Lorenzen set a personal record time of 9:49.74. Preceding the Olympic Trials, Lorenzen's personal record was 9:51.76. Training with Team Indiana Elite and Coach Robert Chapman, Lorenzen has steadily improved her time, enough to qualify for the Olympic Trials.

"Competing at these trials was amazing, 21,000 fans provided the encouragement that I needed to run with the top competition in the country," stated Lorenzen. "There is a reason why they call it 'Track Town USA' because of the electricity that they provided."

Throughout Lorenzen's historic collegiate career, she captured countless trophies in the Lake Michigan Conference and in NCAA Division III National competitions. Throughout college, she attained numerous LMC Conference Titles, while capturing the Division III National Championship in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, and setting a national record time of 10:07.67.

During her senior year in 2006, she garnered the honors of NCAA Division III Female Athlete Track of the Year. Lorenzen owns the distinction of being the only Concordia Wisconsin athlete to bestow such an honor.

"At this point in my running career, I was very happy with my seventh place finish in the Olympic Trials," said Lorenzen. "I will continue to train with my coach and hopefully improve and finish even higher in four years with a chance to run in the 2012 London Olympics."

Concordia Wisconsin Director of Athletics, Rob Barnhill acknowledges, "Amanda Lorenzen is the most highly decorated student athlete in the history of Concordia Wisconsin and is most certainly a first ballot hall of famer. Having her participate in the U.S. Olympic Trials is an affirmation of the quality of the athletic programs here at Concordia Wisconsin. Amanda has been a positive ambassador as a student athlete and that continues in her role as an assistant coach."

Courtesy of Concordia University Wisconsin, Sports Information Department, July 11, 2008.