Contact Us The Values of an Athlete USF’s coaches believe that the foundation of a successful track program is built on character. By instilling a set of core values in our athletes, the goal is to help them succeed on and off the field. Their experiences on the USF track team will guide them to work harder, dream bigger and reach farther to achieve their goals.
Gene Brooks Director of Track and Field and Cross Country gene.brooks@usiouxfalls.edu (605) 331-6727
Reid Ehrisman Associate Head Track Coach reid.ehrisman@usiouxfalls.edu (605) 575-2094
Mark Heider Head Cross Country Coach Assistant Track Coach mark.heider@usiouxfalls.edu (605) 271-8833
USF Track and Field Core Values:
• Christian Faith—Coaches believe in growing in a relationship with Jesus Christ through team devotions, interactions with fellow teammates and coaches and modeling strong values.
• Relationships—Teammates are encouraged to develop strong team relationships where individuals are valued, respected and appreciated.
• Athletic Success—Athletic success starts with academic success. USF encourages athletes to work to their full potential in the classroom and on the field.
The quality of people who make up our program has created a team community in which strong friendships have been built and amazing experiences have occurred. The success of this team has impacted our entire university. Gene Brooks Director USF Track and Field
Under Armour® is a proud sponsor of USF Track and Field.
Erin Elder Assistant Throws Reid Ehrisman Assistant Head Track Pole Vault
Reid Johnson Assistant Jumps
Gene Brooks Head Track Sprints/Hurdles
Mark Heider Head Cross Country Assistant Track Distance
Chad Aurich Multi events
University of Sioux Falls Track and Field Growing Great Athletes The Whole Way Colin Koth—Sprints Sioux Falls, S.D. • 2011 indoor national champion in 400m • 3-time All-American • 5-time conference champion • Personal best: 46.80 (400m)
Out of the Starting Blocks A USF Success Story
In 2007 the University of Sioux Falls track teams were ranked near the bottom of their conference and had only 40 athletes participating. For a university that takes pride in excellence, this wasn’t what the program desired for its athletes. USF decided to invest in its track teams The Whole Way—by hiring dedicated, Christian track and field coaches, recruiting more dynamic student athletes, developing talent to its highest potential and building one of the best outdoor track and field complexes in the region. The results speak for themselves.
Kendra Knight—Sprints Mitchell, S.D. • 5-time All-American • Outdoor conference record holder in women’s 4 x 400m • School record holder in: • Indoor 400, 600, 800, 4 x 400m relay, DMR • Outdoor 400, 4 x 400m relay • Personal best: 55.18 (400m)
I am proud of my God-given abilities as a pole vaulter, but pole vaulting will only take me so high. Because this program focuses on the “whole” person, I have the tools to go as far as I want in all aspects of my life.
Kayla Coffee—Pole Vault Alliance, Neb. • 4-time national runner-up • 5-time All-American • Outdoor conference record holder • Personal best: 13’3.5”
• 3 national championships • Women’s outdoor GPAC team champions • GPAC indoor pole vault record
Brian Schenavar—Pole Vault Thompson Falls, Mont. • 2009 and 2011 indoor national runner-up • 3-time All-American • Personal best: 16’8.75”
Ashley
Nathan
Off and Running Thanks to relentless recruiting, hard work and a passionate focus on success, USF now boasts a nationally-competitive track program. The program has more than doubled in size, forming a strong community of more than 90 committed student athletes. These athletes train under a set of core values designed to make them not only better contenders but better people. USF is proud of its visionary, Christ-based track program. Through Him all things are possible (Philippians 4:13).
Andrew Ellsworth—Pole Vault Norfolk, Neb. • Indoor All-American • Indoor conference champion • Personal best: 16’
• GPAC outdoor 4 x 400 relay record • GPAC outdoor pole vault record
Kendra
Brian
Ashley Unruh—Distance Marion, S.D. • 2-time XC national qualifier • Indoor national qualifier • School record holder in: • Indoor 1 mile, 3000m, 5000m, DMR • Outdoor 1500m, 10000m, DMR • Personal best: 4:43.08 (1500m)
2011 Indoor and Outdoor Track Highlights: • 30 school records broken • 97 GPAC all-conference performances • 18 NAIA All-American performances
Brigitte
Bobby
Bobby Brockmueller—Distance Brandon, S.D. • XC national qualifier • Indoor national qualifier • School record holder in: • Indoor 1 mile, 3000m, 5000m • Outdoor 1500m • Personal best: 3:57.13 (1500m)
Nathan Bridgman—Triple Jump Wessington Springs, S.D. • 2-time national qualifier • Indoor conference champion • Indoor and outdoor school record holder • Personal best: 49’8.75”
Women’s 4 x 400m Relay • Team members: Leah Wensmann—Aberdeen, S.D. Kendra Knight—Mitchell, S.D. Lindsay Reinhardt—Vancouver, Wash. Melissa Kroupa—Kimball, S.D. • 5th place finish at 2011 outdoor nationals (3:46.44) • Outdoor conference record holders (3:48.55)
Andrew
4 x 400m relay
Lindsay
Brigitte Gross—Pole Vault Alexandria, S.D. • 2-time national champion • 3-time All-American • Indoor conference record holder • Personal best: 13’7.5”
Lindsay Reinhardt—Sprints/Hurdles Vancouver, Wash. • 4-time All-American • Outdoor conference record holder in women’s 4 x 400m • Personal best: 61.02 (400m hurdles)
Jumping Ahead The University of Sioux Falls is a provisional member of the NCAA Division II. USF will compete in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference beginning in the 2012-13 academic year. USF’s coaching staff, led by Gene Brooks, is excited and confident about the move to the NCAA and look forward to bigger and better challenges.