Nov. 16, 2007

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Associate Head Coach Rita Arndt-Molis was awarded 2007 Great Lakes Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year honors on Wednesday, Nov. 16. Arndt-Molis earned the award for the second consecutive year, making her the first in MSU history to do so. She is the third MSU coach to receive the award in school history, along with Jim Stintzi in 1991, and sharing the award with head coach Walt Drenth in 2006.

"Rita is doing a great job for our program," said Director of Cross Country Walt Drenth. "She has recruited these kids and spends a lot of time with them. Her success speaks for itself. She brings great energy and knowledge to the sport of cross country, and we are privileged to have her on our team."

The seventh-ranked Spartans are having an outstanding season. Arndt-Molis has helped guide the 2007 women's cross country team to top-three finishes in all four team-scored events this fall. She has coached senior Nicole Bush to her best season at MSU, as Bush has finished in the top five in five of six meets. She has also helped juniors Alissa McKaig and Lisa Senakiewich to successful seasons. McKaig has finished in the top-10 in five of six meets, and Senakiewich has placed top-12 in four of six.

"I'm very pleased an honored to win this award, but it's as much Walt's (Drenth) as it is mine," said Arndt-Molis. "We do all of this together, it's a cooperative environment, that's just the way it is. Our success is because our athletes and we as coaches are working towards the same goal. I'm honored to receive the award, but it's a team effort."

After a runner-up finish at the Big Ten Conference meet, Michigan State responded with a three-point win over Michigan at the Great Lakes Regional. MSU now prepares for the NCAA Championships in Terre Haute, Ind., on Monday, Nov. 19. Arndt-Molis has helped coach Michigan State to NCAA appearances in each of her four seasons as the women's cross country coach.

MSU Cross Country

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