Posted 9/7/05
Minneapolis - Team USA Minnesota has selected Ryan Kleimenhagen to join the post collegiate distance training center based in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Kleimenhagen is a 2005 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, where he was a 13-time NCAA DIII track and field and cross country All American, as well as a national champion in the 800 meters, 1500 meters, the mile and in the distance medley relay.
Most recently, Kleimenhagen placed fourth in the 1500 meters at the USATF Indoor Championships last February and competed in the 800 meters at the USATF Outdoor Championships in June. He has personal bests in the 800 of 1:48.68 and in the 1500 of 3:44.94. He was also named NCAA Division III Athlete of the Year in 2005.
"We are very excited to have Ryan on our team," said Team USA Minnesota coach Dennis Barker. "He has shownÊvery good potential, particularly given the fact that he didn't even begin competing in track until college. He has developed nicely and improved steadily during his college years and will fit in well with our group."
Kleimenhagen is a native of Oak Creek, Wis., and a graduate of Oak Creek High School where he ran cross country and played tennis.ÊÊDuring his college career, where he was coached by Tom Antczak and Jim Nickasch, he won 14 all-WIAC awards in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track, and he was a four-time Athlete of the Year at UW-Platteville.
About Team USA Minnesota
Team USA Minnesota is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Formed in 2001, the purpose of the training center is to improve post-collegiate American distance running and to develop Olympians. The athletes are coached by Dennis Barker, head cross country and track coach at Augsburg College in Minneapolis. The nonprofit training center is operated by a group of volunteers and supported by local organizations and individuals. Team USA Minnesota's major sponsor is Life Time Fitness (www.lifetimefitness.com) and its silver sponsor is the Twin Cities Marathon.
For more information, visit the web site at www.teamusaminnesota.org.