La Crosse, Wis. - UW-La Crosse Intercollegiate Athletics continues featuring senior student-athletes from the spring who had their seasons canceled due to the COVID-19 public health threat. Our seniors being recognized today are
Libby Brugger of
West Bend (H.S.),
Linnea Cochran of
Hayward (H.S.), McKenzie Kirtz of
Adams, Minn. (Southland) and
Hanna Meyer of
Dubuque, Iowa (Wahlert) from the track & field team.
Brugger won the mile run (5:04.68) and placed third in the 800-meter run (season-best 2:16.16) at the 2020 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Indoor Championships on February 28-29. She ran a season-best 4:59.95 in the mile at the Minnesota State University, Mankato Maverick Invitational on February 21 and a season-best 10:33.11 in the 3,000-meter run at the UW-Stout Open on January 25. Brugger earned National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III All-America honors after qualifying as a member of the Eagles' distance medley relay. Brugger also ran in three meets during the 2019 cross country season, placing second (19:10.8 in 5,000-meters) at the Luther College (Iowa) Dual on October 25. She was 10th (23:34.5) at the Carleton College (Minn.) Invitational on September 21 while also competing in the WIAC Championships.
She won the mile run (5:04.57) and placed sixth in the 3,000-meter run (10:23.57) at the 2018 WIAC Indoor Championships. Brugger was eighth in the 800-meter run (2:20.25) and 12th in the mile run (5:28.48) at the 2019 indoor league meet and finished eighth in the 8000-meter run (2:19.35) in 2017. During the outdoor season, Brugger placed fourth in the 800 (2:16.73) and 1,500-meter run (4:41.13) at the 2019 WIAC Championships. She was third in the 1,500-meter run (4:41.61) in 2018 and finishing fifth in the 1,500 (4:51.35) and ninth in the 800 (2:20.34) in 2017.
Cochran placed 11th in the 5,000-meter run (18:39.91) and 18th in the 3,000-meter run (10:47.50) at the 2019 WIAC Indoor Championships. She finished 15th in the 5,000-meter run (19:05.81) in 2018. During the outdoor season, Cochran was ninth in the 10,000-meter run (38:55.02) and 13th in the 5,000-meter run (19:10.53) in 2019.
She competed in four cross country meets for UWL in 2019, including a 13th-place finish (20:02.3 in 5,000-meters) at the Luther (Iowa) Dual on October 25. Cochran was 34th (24:37.3) at the Carleton (Minn.) Invitational on September 21, 40th (23:32.2) at the UW-Eau Claire Invitational on October 4 and 47th (20:52.7 in 5,000-meters) at the Luther (Iowa) Invitational on September 14.
Kirtz ran a season-best 5:39.06 in the mile run at the UW-Whitewater Midwest Elite on February 15. She ran in four cross country meets in 2019, placing fifth at the Luther (Iowa) Dual (19:28.2 in 5,000-meters) on October 25. Kirtz was 52nd (20:59.2 in 5,000-meters) at the Luther (Iowa) Invitational on September 14, 73rd (24:13.1) at the Tori Neubauer Invitational on October 19 and 81st (22:28.6 in 3,900-meters) at the University of Louisville (Ky.) Classic Silver Race on October 5.
She has four top-12 finishes at the WIAC Indoor Championships, placing fourth in the 3,000-meter run (10:13.25) and sixth in the mile run (5:11.26) at the 2017 championships. Kirtz was eighth in the mile (5:17.89) and 12th in the 3,000-meter run (10:35.08) in 2016. At the WIAC Outdoor meet, Kirtz recorded three top-eight finishes last season. She placed fourth in the 3,000-meter steeplechase (11:34.66) and javelin throw (120-1) and eighth in the 1,500-meter run (4:53.57). Kirtz was second in the 3,000-meter steeplechase (11:14.97) and ninth in the javelin (105-8) in 2017 after finishing fourth in the javelin (116-11) and 10th in the 1,500-meter run (4:53.58) in 2016.
Meyer ran a season-best 19:48.15 in the 5,000-meter run at the UW-Whitewater Midwest Elite on February 15. She also competed in the 5,000-meter run at the WIAC Indoor Championships on February 28-29. Meyer ran in four cross country meets in 2019 with a best finish of 12th (19:54.2 in 5,000-meters) at Luther (Iowa) Dual on October 25. She was 74th (25:34.9) at the Carleton (Minn.) Invitational on September 21, 79th (24:15.1) at the UW-Eau Claire Invitational on October 4 and 80th (24:27.9) at the Tori Neubauer Invitational on October 19.
Libby Brugger
Why did you choose UW-La Crosse?
It was the only school I toured and I loved it immediately! I also knew they had strong athletic programs and I wanted to do a sport in college. I originally planned on playing soccer at UW-La Crosse but am happy with how things ended up working out!
Major and minor?
Marketing major and healthcare analytics management minor.
Plans after graduation?
Once I finish up my one class and cross country season in the fall, I plan on moving out of state and pursuing a career in medical sales.
Greatest memory of competing at UW-La Crosse?
My greatest memory competing at UW-La Crosse is the indoor conference meet at Oshkosh this past season. Every conference meet is special, but this one felt different. Rather than the nerves that usually arise while competing at conference, we channeled this into excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to reclaim the indoor conference title. Even throughout this entire season, the passion and energy I felt from my teammates was incredible which has me excited to see what the team will accomplish in the future. It was also cool to have been a part of the team that restarted the streak of indoor conference titles for our program.
Favorite place on campus?
My favorite place on campus is the locker room in Mitchell Hall. I've had so many laughs and great conversations with my teammates in there.
Best part of being in athletics?
The best part about being in athletics is the connection made. Looking back at my college experience, I feel so special that every day I was surrounded by such caring, motivated people that pushed me to become a better version of myself. The friendships I've made through athletics have shaped me into a more positive confident person. I'm so grateful to have had this family over the past four years and cannot imagine what my college experience would have been like if I hadn't gone out for track my freshman year.
Linnea Cochran
Why did you choose UW-La Crosse?
I chose UW-La Crosse because from the moment I stepped on campus I fell in love with the scenery and atmosphere of La Crosse. Looking down on the city from the bluffs I knew this is where I was meant to be!
Major and minor?
Psychology major and at-risk child and youth care minor.
Plans after graduation?
In the fall I'm starting grad school at UW-Whitewater for school counseling.
Greatest memory of competing at UW-La Crosse?
My favorite memory of competing at UW-La Crosse was my first 10k at our home track meet. It was under the lights, and the energy from my teammates and friends had me just giddy and smiling the entire race..
Favorite place on campus?
My favorite places on campus are Drake field and the sidewalk leading to Mitchell Hall.
Best part of being in athletics?
The best part of being in athletics is being surrounded by a group of teammates who share a common goal and love for the sport. Practice time was always my get-away for the day, because it was a time I got to spend with my closest friends just doing what we love to do.
McKenzie Kirtz
Why did you choose UW-La Crosse?
UW-La Crosse is surrounded by a beautiful community and a lot of outdoor activities to partake in. UW-La Crosse had a lot to offer academically in the health field and had a very welcoming atmosphere. It also was reassuring having my older brother and twin sister going to school in La Crosse. I also knew I wanted to continue my athletic career. I felt connected with the coaches and wanted to positively contribute to the culture of the cross country and track and field teams.
Major and minor?
Health education and physical education major with an adapted physical education minor.
Plans after graduation?
I will be starting a teaching position in the fall including several schools in the rural area near Austin, Minnesota. I will be a traveling adapted physical education as well as a physical/health Education teacher in an alternative school. I will also be getting married!
Greatest memory of competing at UW-La Crosse?
Outdoor conference meets when there is so much energy and positivity with the team and when I got the opportunity to compete for the team in three events including steeplechase, javelin, and the 1,500-meter run.
Favorite place on campus?
The outdoor track while looking out to the bluffs…particularly in the fall.
Best part of being in athletics?
Definitely the relationships I have gained with so many amazing women and our wonderful coaching staff.
Hanna Meyer
Why did you choose UW-La Crosse?
I chose UW-La Crosse because the great exercise science program, the active and beautiful campus, and on my visit with the coaches and current team members made me feel like I was apart of a family.
Major and minor?
Exercise sport science-pre-professional track major and nutrition minor.
Plans after graduation?
Physical therapy school starting in the fall.
Greatest memory of competing at UW-La Crosse?
Being distance runners we really rely on our teammates to pull us through the long races. My favorite part about competing at UW-La Crosse was stepping on to the track with my teammates and racing along side of them. Switching leaders throughout the race allows each one of us to take responsibility for the pacing of the race. Having the girls that train with me everyday racing with me pushes me so much harder because we competitively encourage each other to be the best we possible can be.
Favorite place on campus?
Student Union, first floor next to the fire place, the best place to study.
Best part of being in athletics?
The best part of being involved with athletics is the support my teammates and coaches have given me in my athletics, schooling, and in my life. It feels like we are one big family and I know that I can always rely on anyone.
