Lorenzen named CUW women's track coach
MEQUON, Wis. -- Concordia Wisconsin athletic director Rob Barnhill has announced that one of Concordia's best-known grads, Amanda Lorenzen, will be the new women's head track coach at CUW.

"I am pleased to announce the promotion of Amanda Lorenzen to Head Women’s Track and Field Coach. Amanda is the most highly decorated student athlete in CUW history and continues to be among the Nation’s elite performers in the Steeple Chase. It is a tremendous opportunity for our young women to work along-side such an accomplished alum and a truly special young woman. I look forward to her continual professional growth and am excited about the positive contributions she will make to our track and field program."

"I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to be the head women’s track coach," offered Amanda. I really enjoy my role on the team as the distance coach and now with the added responsibility of the entire women’s team I think that it will help mesh all aspects of the track program together."

"Our short-term goal will be to win the Northern Athletics Conference championships again this indoor and outdoor season, explained Lorenzen. "As a head coach I will take on a larger responsibility in recruiting young women to join the team. It will be a fun challenge to seek out athletes who will work well on the team and who will also be positive additions to the CUW student body."

"Our goal [Coach Walker and I], is to unify the team. With a separate coach for both the men’s and women’s team we see this as a way to fulfill every athletes need for a stronger coach/athlete relationship. The team will continue to practice, train, and compete together."

"I expect that our athletes will continue to work hard, just as in the past, and will continue to reach higher standards as our team constantly becomes more competitive."

Lorenzen is USATF (United States of America Track and Field) Level I Certified.

Amanda is an alum of Concordia University Wisconsin and owns every distance record in school history. "Amanda did an incredible job year in coaching our young and talented distance runners. She set lofty standards for her athletes and they honored her by breaking personal records nearly every week," said CUW athletic director Rob Barnhill.

Besides being a record holder, Amanda brings a drive and personality to the CUW program that transcends all expectations.

Below is a short list of some of Amanda’s accomplishments:
• 9 time All-American and 2008 US Olympic Trials Finalist
• 2006 National Champion – 3000 meter Steeplechase
• 2006 NCAA National Female Track Athlete of the Year
• Qualifier for the 2006 & 2007 "U.S. National Championships"
• 2006 Gold Medalist at Prestigious "Drake Relays" 3000m Steeplechase
• Stadium Record Holder @ University of Wisconsin–Madison (3000m SC)

Courtesy of Concordia University Wisconsin, Sports Information Department, August 13, 2008.