March 7, 2007
Release courtesy of Tim Calderwood, Loras College sports information director

DUBUQUE, IOWA . . . The U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association announced today the winners of its indoor regional awards. Loras College was represented by two athletes and a coach in the awards, the most ever winners for the Duhawks.

Senior Dana Klemm (Gurnee, Ill./Warren) was named as the Central Region Women’s Field Athlete of the Year. Klemm automatically qualified for nationals in the shot put and weight throw and was the lone individual to post automatic marks in both events. She also claimed Iowa Conference titles in both events.

Entering the national championships this weekend Klemm has the top mark in the nation in the shot put and has the third best mark in the weight throw having established a Loras record in the event. A two-time Iowa Conference Indoor Most Valuable Performer, Klemm earned the regional award for the first time.

Another senior that garnered regional recognition is no stranger to the award. Geoff Kaiser (Horicon, Wis./Horicon) earned Central Region Men’s Field Athlete of the Year for the third time during his illustrious career at Loras.

Like Klemm, Kaiser was the Iowa Conference’s Most Valuable Performer. He will also participate in two events at nationals this weekend after qualifying individually in the long jump. He is also a member of the 4x400 meter relay team that will compete in Terre Haute.

“I am extremely proud of Dana and Geoff,” Head Coach Bob Schultz said. “They are perfect examples of what you can accomplish with hard work and dedication. What a great honor for them to receive this as seniors in their final indoor track & field season. They are what Duhawk Track & Field is all about.”

Head Coach Bob Schultz was tabbed as the Men’s Central Region Coach of the Year. Schultz, also the Iowa Conference Men’s Coach of the Year, earned regional honors for the first time in his career. Schultz began coaching in 1994. In his second full season at Loras, Schultz, a native of Elmhurst, Ill., helped the Duhawks win the Iowa Conference Indoor Championship and has placed three individuals and two relays into the Indoor National Championships hosted by Rose Hulman Institute of Technology this upcoming weekend in Terre Haute, Indiana.

“I am proud to be selected as coach of the year by my peers in the Central Region,” Schultz said. “I believe the coach of the year award is a reflection of your staff and your program and I am very happy to share this award with all of our assistant coaches at Loras who do a great job working with our athletes. We have five coaches on staff and each one has athletes competing at the National Championships this weekend. They all deserve this award.”

In 2006 the Loras men and women were the highest finishing Iowa Conference schools at the national meet. While the indoor season ends for Loras this weekend, the outdoor campaign will begin on March 31 at Coe. An Alumni meet will be held at Manatt Track on March 24.

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