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Cross Country
Travis Geopfert was named the Panthers' head track and field/cross country coach on July 3, 2008. "Travis has proven himself an exceptional coach and outstanding recruiter during his five years at UNI, and he has demonstrated an ability to enhance the experience of our student-athletes both on and off the track," UNI Director of Athletics Troy Dannen said. "He understands the commitment necessary for our program to earn national prominence, and has the drive and motivation to lead the Panther program to achievement at the highest levels. His abilities will help ensure our running programs enjoy continued success at both the conference and national level. We are thrilled Travis has chosen to remain in the Panther family, and look forward to his leadership of our running programs." Geopfert, who was an All-American and a 2002 graduate of UNI, has been a Panther assistant coach for the past five seasons where he oversaw the jumpers and multi-event student-athletes. He was promoted to associate head coach following the 2007 season. In 2008, Geopfert was named the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Midwest Region men's assistant coach of the year. "I am thrilled to be the next head coach at UNI," Geopfert said. "This is a very special place to me. We have a terrific group of student-athletes who I love to work with. That coupled with the support we have from the University as a whole, the administration and the entire Cedar Valley makes this one of the best track and field jobs in the country. The support that my wife Nicole and I have from this community is second to none and we are thrilled to call UNI and Cedar Falls our home." Geopfert will replace Chris Bucknam who recently accepted the head men's track and field/cross country job at the University of Arkansas. "I'm thrilled for UNI to retain Travis," Bucknam said. "It will make for a great transition for this coming year. I know it won't be long before he can put his stamp on the program. I'm very proud of him. His hard work over the past six years has been rewarded. Travis has proven to be one of the premier jumps and multi-events coaches in the country, and his UNI athletes are consistently finishing in the top 10 in the country. He has also helped to elevate the entire UNI program as recruiting coordinator. His ability to recruit top-notch, blue-chip athletes is second to none." Under Geopfert's guidance, the Panthers have taken the Missouri Valley Conference by storm in the multi-events and jumps. Geopfert mentored three-time MVC decathlon champion, Raven Cepeda. Under Geopfert's guidance Cepeda became the first Valley athlete to win four indoor heptathlon titles. Geopfert recently coached Cepeda and Mat Clark in the decathlon at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore. At this year's NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships, UNI was the only school in the country to qualify two athletes apiece for each of the multi-event competitions. Cepeda and Clark each earned All-America honors in the men's heptathlon, while sophomore Dani Stipe and freshman Olimpia Nowak both competed in the women's pentathlon. Geopfert coached Stipe to her second straight MVC heptathlon crown this past spring. Geopfert also coached Ehi Oamen and Julian Morris to a first and second place finish in the high jump at both the 2008 MVC Indoor and Outdoor championships. Oamen and Morris each qualified for the Indoor and Outdoor national championships. At the 2008 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, Geopfert coached three individuals to All-America honors. Cepeda and Clark each tallied All-America efforts in the decathlon, while Oamen notched All-America status in the high jump. In Geopfert's first six seasons as a coach - including a year as an assistant at the University of Central Missouri - his athletes have produced 74 all-conference awards, 34 conference championships and 19 All-America citations in addition to a pair of national championships. Geopfert's athletes also hold 11 current UNI school records. As a Panther, Geopfert was a three-time MVC champion, claiming titles in the 1999 4x100 meter relay, the 1998 decathlon, and the 2000 distance medley that went on to the NCAA Championships, earning All-America honors. In 2006, he won the Drake Relays decathlon and placed sixth at the U.S. Championships. He also earned a spot on the USA vs. Germany decathlon team for the fourth time. He was the 2004 Drake Relays decathlon champion, defeating Olympian and mentor Kip Janvrin. Geopfert finished 11th at the 2004 U.S. Olympic Trials in the decathlon, and was third at the 2003 U.S. vs. Germany decathlon dual in Stuttgart, Germany. His personal best in the decathlon is 7,785 points. Prior to his return to UNI, Geopfert served as assistant track and field coach at Central Missouri. During the 2003 indoor season, Geopfert's athletes scored 25 points at the NCAA national meet, including national titles in the high jump and triple jump. Originally from Panora, Iowa, Geopfert earned his bachelor's degree from UNI in 2002. He is currently finishing his master's degree in coaching. He and his wife, Nicole, a first-grade teacher at Price Laboratory School, reside in Cedar Falls. The Geopfert File Education: - B.A. General Studies, UNI, 2002 Coaching Experience: UNI Head Coach, 2008-present UNI Assistant Coach, 2003-2008 University of Central Missouri Assistant Track and Field Coach, 2002-2003 Honors: - Three-Time MVC Champion - Division I All-American - 2004 Drake Relays Decathlon Champion - 2006 Drake Relays Decathlon Champion - Four-time USA Championships qualifier - Four-time USA vs. Germany decathlon meet qualifier - Has coached two national champions and 19 All-Americans |
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