University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Cross Country Opens 2017 Season at CSU Duals
9/1/2017 1:53:00 PM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country, Cross Country
GREELEY, Colo. – The 2017 cross country season begins Friday evening for Northern Colorado, as both the men's and women's team head up the road for the CSU Duals.
The meet will take place at the Hughes Stadium cross country course with the women's 5K beginning at 6 p.m. MT and men following at 6:30 p.m. MT.
UNC will compete against some of the best cross country teams in the nation at the meet as Colorado (No. 1 women's, No. 5 men's), Colorado State (No. 18 men's) and Air Force (No. 29 women's, RV-men's) all compete in the meet.
Northern Colorado's men return a majority of its squad from last season including Josh Rogerson and Tristan Irish, who clocked the best times for the team at last year's Big Sky Championship. Those two along with sophomores Jermey Romero and Isaiah Remington will look to start the season strong.
On the women's side Katy East returns to pace the 2017 team. She is joined by a trio of juniors in Cammy Sargent, Cami Kennedy and Alicia Thompson. All four competed at the Big Sky Championships last season in Moscow, Idaho.
Following the meet on Friday, Northern Colorado has 15 days to prepare for its next one on September 16 in Bozeman, Montana for the Montana State/ Bozeman Running Club Invite.
New Faces
Northern Colorado's cross country and track & field team welcomed some new faces to the coaching staff in Chaz Butler and Remington Blair. Butler comes to UNC after being an outstanding career at Adams State University. During his time as a track athlete, he was a five-time NCAA Division II All-American and helped the team to the 2015 indoor team to an NCAA Championship. Bulter will be coaching the sprinters, as he competed mostly in the 100 and 200 meter dash, along with 4x100 team at Adams State. He will take over coaching the sprints/hurdles and Relays.
"It's going to be great having Chaz on staff. His young and driven. His personal experience with the sport and the success he's had will allow him to transition quickly to coaching," head coach Amanda Schick said. "Chaz is passionate about the sport of Track and Field and I look for him to make an immediate impact on the team and with recruiting."
Meanwhile Blair, moved to Greeley from Fresno, California where he was an assistant coach for Fresno State University as a volunteer. Blair was a track and field athlete at Fresno State, participating in the 400 meter dash during his time as a Bulldog. Prior to FSU, he attended Modesto Junior College. Blair has experience as a high school track and field coach at San Joaquin Memorial High School in Fresno. At UNC he will be working with the jumps and sprints.
"Our jumps are a major contributor to our success," Schick said. "We are coming off of a solid year within these event and I think Remington will continue to elevate our program by bringing in new ideas and solid coaching . He's smart and dedicated to the sport and without question is passionate about coaching."
Also joining the staff as volunteer assistants are recent graduates Kingston Wagner and Rikki Gonzales.
The job opening for Butler and Blair came after long time assistants Isaiah Grady and Tanya Vassar departed to pursue career opportunities outside of college coaching.
"I'm looking forward to the new opportunities that come along with the new staff. I was very fortunate to work with Isaiah Grady as both a student-athlete and a coach for the last seven years. He is one of the most high quality human beings I've ever had the honor of knowing. He's chosen a career path outside of coaching and I wish him nothing but the best," Schick said. "He made a huge impact on the UNC campus, within our track and field program and on me personally as a coach."
"Tanya Vassar has also chosen to work outside of athletics pursuing personal training and independent coaching. She is of the highest caliber of integrity and I know she's going to build a great business for herself," said Schick. "I don't know if I've ever met anybody with better work ethic. For the sport itself it's unfortunate that she's stepping away, she was great at what she did. So I'll miss my old friends but I'm excited for what's ahead. Any change is an opportunity, that's my mindset. So we're going to use this change to allow us to be a better program."
To stay up to date with all things UNC cross country and track & field, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Twitter at @UNC_TrackField.
The meet will take place at the Hughes Stadium cross country course with the women's 5K beginning at 6 p.m. MT and men following at 6:30 p.m. MT.
UNC will compete against some of the best cross country teams in the nation at the meet as Colorado (No. 1 women's, No. 5 men's), Colorado State (No. 18 men's) and Air Force (No. 29 women's, RV-men's) all compete in the meet.
Northern Colorado's men return a majority of its squad from last season including Josh Rogerson and Tristan Irish, who clocked the best times for the team at last year's Big Sky Championship. Those two along with sophomores Jermey Romero and Isaiah Remington will look to start the season strong.
On the women's side Katy East returns to pace the 2017 team. She is joined by a trio of juniors in Cammy Sargent, Cami Kennedy and Alicia Thompson. All four competed at the Big Sky Championships last season in Moscow, Idaho.
Following the meet on Friday, Northern Colorado has 15 days to prepare for its next one on September 16 in Bozeman, Montana for the Montana State/ Bozeman Running Club Invite.
New Faces
Northern Colorado's cross country and track & field team welcomed some new faces to the coaching staff in Chaz Butler and Remington Blair. Butler comes to UNC after being an outstanding career at Adams State University. During his time as a track athlete, he was a five-time NCAA Division II All-American and helped the team to the 2015 indoor team to an NCAA Championship. Bulter will be coaching the sprinters, as he competed mostly in the 100 and 200 meter dash, along with 4x100 team at Adams State. He will take over coaching the sprints/hurdles and Relays.
"It's going to be great having Chaz on staff. His young and driven. His personal experience with the sport and the success he's had will allow him to transition quickly to coaching," head coach Amanda Schick said. "Chaz is passionate about the sport of Track and Field and I look for him to make an immediate impact on the team and with recruiting."
Meanwhile Blair, moved to Greeley from Fresno, California where he was an assistant coach for Fresno State University as a volunteer. Blair was a track and field athlete at Fresno State, participating in the 400 meter dash during his time as a Bulldog. Prior to FSU, he attended Modesto Junior College. Blair has experience as a high school track and field coach at San Joaquin Memorial High School in Fresno. At UNC he will be working with the jumps and sprints.
"Our jumps are a major contributor to our success," Schick said. "We are coming off of a solid year within these event and I think Remington will continue to elevate our program by bringing in new ideas and solid coaching . He's smart and dedicated to the sport and without question is passionate about coaching."
Also joining the staff as volunteer assistants are recent graduates Kingston Wagner and Rikki Gonzales.
The job opening for Butler and Blair came after long time assistants Isaiah Grady and Tanya Vassar departed to pursue career opportunities outside of college coaching.
"I'm looking forward to the new opportunities that come along with the new staff. I was very fortunate to work with Isaiah Grady as both a student-athlete and a coach for the last seven years. He is one of the most high quality human beings I've ever had the honor of knowing. He's chosen a career path outside of coaching and I wish him nothing but the best," Schick said. "He made a huge impact on the UNC campus, within our track and field program and on me personally as a coach."
"Tanya Vassar has also chosen to work outside of athletics pursuing personal training and independent coaching. She is of the highest caliber of integrity and I know she's going to build a great business for herself," said Schick. "I don't know if I've ever met anybody with better work ethic. For the sport itself it's unfortunate that she's stepping away, she was great at what she did. So I'll miss my old friends but I'm excited for what's ahead. Any change is an opportunity, that's my mindset. So we're going to use this change to allow us to be a better program."
To stay up to date with all things UNC cross country and track & field, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Twitter at @UNC_TrackField.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
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