Januszewski Named X-Country Coach

MOORHEAD, Minn. (8/10/18)---Concordia Athletic Director Rachel Bergeson announced that former North Dakota State University All-American Laura (Hermanson) Januszewski as the new head coach of the Cobber men's and women's cross country teams.

Januszewski takes over the men's program from Garrick Larson and the women's squad from Marv Roeske. Larson will continue to serve as the men's track and field coach while Roeske will continue his role as head women's track and field coach. Januszewski will also be an assistant coach for both track and field teams during the winter and spring seasons.   

"The move to add a new men's and women's cross country coach was done to help out both the cross country and track and field programs," Bergeson said. "The addition of full-time cross country coach as well as an assistant coach for track and field will help Garrick (Larson) and Marv (Roeske) with their work load and ability to spend more time recruiting student/athletes to those programs."

Januszewski was one of the most decorated student/athletes at NDSU when they made the jump to NCAA Division I. She was the very first NDSU athlete to place at the NCAA Division I Championships and became the first NDSU female athlete to earn USTFCCCA All-American honors in both indoor and outdoor track. Januszewski was the NCAA runner-up in the outdoor 800 meters in 2009 and finished her collegiate career with the Bison by setting school records in four indoor events and two outdoor races.

Januszewski was also an NCAA Women of the Year semifinalist, an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship award winner and a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American.

Following her time at NDSU Januszewski went on to compete in the US Olympic Trials and represented the United States at the Aviva International Match in Glasgow, Scotland in 2010. She has continued her running career and most recently won the Fargo Marathon 10K in 2017.

"To be able to add a coach to the staff that has Laura's background and list of accomplishments is a tremendous boost to the department, "Bergeson added. "I can't wait to see what kind of effect she will have on the cross country and track and field programs."  

Januszewski has been the head cross country coach for the boys' and girls' programs at Lake Park-Audubon HS for the past three seasons. She was also the head coach of both the boys' and girls' track and field teams in 2017. Januszewski also taught classes in the business education department at Lake Park-Audubon.

"Cobber cross country offers me the opportunity to develop a program of talented student/athletes," Januszewski said. "Running is tough and gritty and I'm excited to share my love of the sport with the Cobber team."

Januszewski had a 3.94 grade point average while majoring in Marketing and Management at North Dakota State. She went on to earn a second degree in Business Education from Valley City State in 2011 and a Master's Degree from Valley City State in Education in 2015.

"I'm looking forward to many individual and team MIAC championship contenders," Januszewski added.