Juliane Totzke
Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Connie Teaberry announced the signing of Juliane Totzke for the 2011-12 track & field season on Thursday.
Totzke ranks as one of the top distance runners in Germany. Her 10K time of 35:21 is the second-fastest in the U20 age group, while she ranks fourth in Germany for the 5K with a time of 17:27.
In addition to competing in track & field this season, Totzke will be eligible to compete with the cross country squad beginning with the 2012 season.
“Juliane is a great addition to our rapidly improving distance program,” Teaberry said. “She has a passion to take her running to higher levels and she quickly recognized that NIU can offer her everything she needs to reach her potential.”
Totzke, who hails from the small town of Graefenroda, attended the Carl Zeiss Gymnasium in Jena, where she also excelled in the classroom. Her academic honors include placing fifth nationally in the Jugend Forscht (Youth in Research) competition and being honored by the German Association of Chemists.
“Juliane will be able to make an immediate impact in the MAC and regionally,” said cross country head coach and track & field assistant Greg Hipp. “Her presence in our training group will go a long way to raising the level of our entire team.”
For more information on NIU track and field and cross country and Huskie athletics, visit www.niuhuskies.com.
