Tollefson Runs with the Bears
Photo courtesy of Victah Sailer
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 The Blake School Athletic Department is excited to announce the appointment of 2004 Olympian Carrie Tollefson to the position of Assistant Cross Country Coach. Carrie's depth of experience and wealth of knowledge make her an invaluable member of Bears coaching staff.
Tollefson is herself a world-class runner. While attending Lac Qui Parle Valley/Dawson Boyd High School she won 5 MSHSL cross country titles, which is a national prep record, added eight more championships in track and still holds the MSHSL record of 13 championships by an individual.
Upon graduation Carrie accepted a scholarship to attend and compete at Villanova University. As a Wildcat, Tollefson won 5 individual NCAA Division I titles., one in cross country and four in track, she was named All-American twelve times and earned ten Big East Championships.
Carrie was a member of Villanova's 1998 NCAA National Championship cross country team and was named NCAA Indoor Athlete of the Year in 1999. In 1999 Coach Tollefson earned her B.A. in communications and broadcasting and in 2000 returned to 'Nova for her final year of eligibility.
Carrie broke on the world running scene at the 2000 Olympic Trials where she was a finalist in the 5,000-meter run. By 2004 Tollefson had earned the National Championship in 4K cross country and the 1,500-meter run. The crowning glory of her 2004 season was representing the United States as an Olympian in Athens, Greece, Carrie advanced to the semi-finals in the 1,500-meter run.
Coach Tollefson continues to excel on the world running stage; she was a member of 2006 World Cross Country team, national 4K cross country and indoor 3,000-meters champion.
At the age of 29 Carrie has no plans to soon stop running. She says, "I plan to continue running for as long as I can. I hope to make one if not two more Olympic teams in Track and Field."
Tollefson continues to train with Team USA Minnesota as she has since 2001 and runs professionally for Adidas.
Of her new foray into coaching high school athletes Carrie states, "I am very inspired to see their love of the sport and share the excitement I have for running as well. I only hope I can advise and help guide them to listen and use the knowledge Gary [Head Coach Gary Lee], and the rest of the coaches, Keith [Clark], Jason [Shantz], and Paula [Sadler], have taught them over the years.
Coaching is not an altogether new experience for Tollefson. She was a volunteer track and cross country coach at Villanova University in 2001.
"I was honored when Gary asked me to help with the team. He asked me to come once or twice a week, as he knows I am still training full time and need to focus on my career right now. It was a perfect fit and the athletes are great," reports Carrie.
"We have started the season right where we want to be and hopefully will continue to improve every week!" emphasized Coach Tollefson.
For more complete biographical information about Carrie go to the Team USA Minnesota website at www.teamusaminnesota.org/athlete_bio.asp?id=1. You can check out an in depth interview with Tollefson and read her journal at the New York Road Runner web site called www.fast-women.com.
Please welcome Carrie to our Blake Community.
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