Roeske Releases 2020 Team Awards
MOORHEAD, Minn. (5/06/20)---Concordia head coach Marv Roeske announced his team award winners for the 2020 season.
"Because of the loss of their senior outdoor season I did something different and honored our four graduating co-captions," said Roeske. "They deserve to be honored for all their hard work and dedication over the past four years."
Here are the 2020 Cobber women's track and field award winners with an explanation of the award from Roeske.
2020 Cobber Women's Track & Field Team Awards
Most Valuable Athlete: Josie Herrmann (Junior, New Prague, MN). Herrmann was the Indoor MIAC Champion in the 1000 meters defending her 2019 title. She was also third in the 800 meters with a NCAA National Qualifying and #3 Cobber All-Time 2:15.55 clocking. Earlier in the indoor season she raced t a school Record of 3:00.19 in the 1000 meters.
Most Valuable Track Athlete: Kara Andersen (Senior, Plymouth, MN), Zahra Banks (Senior, Brooklyn Park, MN), Miriah Forness (Senior, West Fargo, ND). This honor is shared by our three graduating seniors who specialize in track events. Andersen placed 6th in the MIAC Indoor Championships 5000-meter race. Her personal best 18:22.34 time is ranked No.3 on the All-Time Cobber list. She also ran the number No.9 all-time 3000-meter time when she finished ninth at the MIAC Indoor. Zahra Banks finished ninth in both the 60 and 200-meter dashes at the MIAC Championships while also running legs on two fifth-place relays - the 4x200 and 4x400. Her time of 26.61 in the MIAC 200 ranks her as the No.4 Cobber all time while her mark of 8.10 in the 60 meters is a personal record and No.6 on the all-time list. Forness placed sixth in the MIAC Indoor Championships 800 with a personal best time of 2:19.11 which ranks her as the No.8 fastest time in program history. She also had a personal best time in the 1000 meters with a 13th-place finish at 3:09.46. The versatile Forness also ranks on the Cobber outdoor all-time lists in the 400-meter hurdles (13th), steeplechase (7th), and pole vault (5th).
Most Valuable Field Athlete: Kelsey Rajewsky (Senior, Benson, MN). This honor is earned by the fourth, of only four, graduating seniors. Rajewsky threw a personal best distance of 48-08.75 and placed fifth in the weight throw at the MIAC Indoor Championship Meet. The unquestioned leader of the young and talented Cobber throwing group also placed 12th in the shot put at 37-10.50
Most Improved: Emily Hao, (Junior, Fargo, ND). Hao is a hard working junior in both the classroom and on the track as demonstrated by her early graduation in May 2020 and by her ever-improving times. She began her collegiate career in the 800 meters two years ago with a modest time of 2:46.91 and two years later raced to an all-time personal record of 2:29.61 at the UND Indoor Meet.
Cobber Award: Kara Andersen (Senior, Plymouth, MN), Zahra Banks (Senior, Brooklyn Park, MN), Miriah Forness (Senior, West Fargo, ND), Kelsey Rajewsky (Senior, Benson, MN). Because of the COVID-19 our athletes lost their outdoor season and for our four graduating senior co-captains their final collegiate season. We honor them by selecting them as Co-Cobber Award winners. Together they demonstrate the highest standards of excellence in the classroom, passion for community service, devotion to their faith, dedication to training, respect for their sport, passion for their team, and love of their families. During the past four years they combined for 15 MIAC All-Conference Honorable Mention honors and leave with 19 combined indoor and outdoor performances on the Cobber all-time list.