Fourth-year Huskie assistant women[apos]s cross country/track and field coach Gretchen Folck is a motivated individual who settles for nothing less than the best.
In that case, both the NIU women[apos]s cross country and track and field squads are on the fast track for success.
In three short seasons, Folck has played an integral role in NIU track and field history, as she had the good fortune of mentoring current student-manager Alicia Czajka. In that span, Czajka claimed school-records in the 1000-meter indoor run, 1-mile indoor run, 3,000-meter indoor run, 5,000-meter indoor run, 1,500-meter outdoor run, 3,000-meter steeplechase and 5,000-meter outdoor run, along with a Mid-American Conference title in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in 2005. For her efforts, Czajka was named to the All-MAC First Team.
[quote]Gretchen is one of the hardest working coaches that I have had the pleasure of working with,[quote] NIU Head Coach Connie Teaberry said. [quote]Her dedication to making our student-athletes better on and off the track does not go unnoticed. Gretchen is an important part to making our program grow.[quote]
Folck is no stranger to the Mid-American Conference, as she spent two seasons running both track and cross country for the Ball State University Cardinals. Following her collegiate career, Folck stayed on for two seasons as an Assistant Coach for Ball State while pursuing her master[apos]s degree in Sports Administration.
During her two seasons serving under BSU head coach Sue Parks, Folck helped mentor the school to two straight top-three finishes at the MAC Cross Country Championships. The 28-year old[apos]s leadership on the track proved to be even more valuable in the spring, as the Cardinals grabbed the 2000 MAC Outdoor Championship. Throughout her tenure at BSU, no cross country or track and field squad finished lower than fifth at any conference meet.
Folck has spent time as a volunteer assistant track and field coach for the Special Olympics, as well as an assistant gymnastics coach for Delta High School during the 2001-02 campaign.
