"Mind is everything.  Muscle - pieces of rubber.  All that I am, I am because of my mind."

                                                                                    -- Paavo Nurmi

Cross Country News

Justin Nantelle is New Cross Country Coach - January 22, 2009

HANCOCK, MI – Justin Nantelle has been named the Finlandia University men’s and women’s cross country coach for the 2009-10 season, Athletic Director Chris Salani announced today.

Nantelle replaces Jane Martini, who was the Finlandia head cross country coach for the 2008-09 season.

Nantelle is currently a security officer Finlandia. A position he will continue in addition to his new coaching duties. Last fall, he was the head assistant coach for the Finlandia men’s and women’s soccer teams.

Nantelle has completed two degrees at Finlandia: an associate degree in criminal justice in 2006, and a bachelor of arts in human services in 2008. While a student at Finlandia, he ran for the cross country team, was a member of the Nordic skiing team, and played Lions soccer.

As head cross country coach Nantelle says he plans to build a solid team around current runners and incoming recruits to make Finlandia a team that will stand out.

“My ultimate goal is to start turning some heads,” he adds.

When the head cross country coaching position became available recently, Nantelle says he jumped at the chance to help Finlandia build another solid and competitive team.

“It was a great opportunity that came up at the end of the soccer season. I have always liked using my knowledge and experience to help others become the best they can be,” Nantelle notes.

Nantelle says he has learned a lot about leading and coaching from Finlandia’s athletics staff.

“I feel honored to be able to coach next to the leaders I had while I played sports at Finlandia,” he says. “Especially Curtis Wittenberg, who was the cross country coach my first two years, and Matt Griffith, who was my soccer coach for four years.”

Nantelle says he has always been an enthusiastic athlete. While in high school he played football and basketball, and ran track and cross country. He started to play soccer and Nordic skiing at Finlandia and reports that he fell in love with both sports instantly.

Nantelle is from Crystal Falls, Mich., where he graduated from Forest Park High School

Pittman Wins Against Northland College-October 27, 2008

Finlandia freshman Gloria Pittman wrapped up her first collegiate cross country season by cleaning up against Northland College's LumberJills on October 24. 

Running through the hills and rain of the Chequamenon National Forest, Pittman eclipsed the field of 14 with a time that was 1:01 minutes faster than her closest competitor.  Her time was 25:14.  Francesca Pascale of Northland took second, with a time of 26:13.  Finlandia senior Chaslyn Duffek had FU's second fastest time, 27:22.

Finlandia and Northland line up for October 24th dual meet.

Finlandia Women Clock Strong Performances at Challenging Ripon College Cross Country Invitational - October 13, 2008

In a field of nine teams that included nationally ranked UW-Oshkosh, Finlandia finished six at the Ripon College Cross Country Invitational on Sat, Oct 11. Ripon College Senior Brittany Dick won the challenging 5K race, which includes a long first mile climb, in a time of 20:39. UW-Stevens Point took first place team honors.

Freshman Gloria Pittman led the way for Finlandia with a time of 24:44. Following her were senior FU hockey players Chaslyn Duffek and Amy Danielson, who ran and finished the race together in a shared time of 25:40. Emily Conrad and Annika Danielson, who also skate for Finlandia, finished the race strong, with times of 29:07 and 29:56 respectively.
      Gloria Pittman

Finlandia’s cross country team will wrap up its season with a dual meet at Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin on Friday, October 24.

What Do Hockey Players and Home-schoolers Have in Common? - October 10, 2008

When you think of hockey, you think of skates, pucks and face guards, right?  Lots of other equipment, too.  You might think of a hockey player would feel naked without all that gear.  You probably wouldn't think they'd be caught dead in puny running shoes and wearing only their t-shirts and shorts.

Finlandia's hockey teams are here to prove us wrong.  This year, four women and two men from FU's hockey teams are also competing for the school's cross country team.

And that's what they have in common  with two Finlandia freshman who were schooled at home.  They did not run cross country in high school, yet they are now competing at the collegiate level.

And they are all finishing well.  On September 27, at the Lake Forest College Forester Cross Country Invitationalin Vernon Hills, Illinois, all Finlandia runners ran career-best times.

Finishing first for Finlandia in the women's 5K was freshman Gloria Pittman with a time of 22:58.  Senior Chaslyn Duffek was right behind with a 22:59 time.  Amy Danielson, also a senior, ran a 24:14, and juniors Emily Conrad and Annika Danielson followed her with 26:02 and 26:04 times, respectively.

Sophomore Ryan Donovan was the Finlandia men's top finisher in the men's 8K with a 35:43 time.  Junior Tiger Marcotte followed closely with a finish of 35:50, and freshman Brent Nix ran a 37:52, knocking five minutes off his previous time.

So who are the hockey players and who are the home-schoolers?  Here are their photos at the Forester Invitational.  See if you can figure it out and e-mail cross country coach Jane De Martini at jane.demartini@finlandia.edu.

FU women at Lake Forest College, from L-R: Gloria Pittman, Annika Danielson,

Chaslyn Duffek, Emily Conrad, and Amy Danielson

FU men at Lake Forest College, from L-R: Brent Nix, Ryan Donovan, and Tiger Marcotte

Women's Cross-Country Team Award Winners - April 12, 2008

          Most Valuable Runner - Kate Abbott

          Most Improved Runner - Kendra Benson

          Lion Award - Kristen Koljonen

          Academic - Kristen Koljonen