DANA HIRES FORMER ALL-AMERICAN FOR TOP CROSS COUNTRY POSITION

Dana College announces that Bob Spangler, a four-time All-American for the Vikings, has been named as the new cross country coach.

Spangler, who ran under outgoing cross country coach Jim Birmingham, said he plans to continue the program’s success. In the last decade, the Vikings have consistently challenged for the Great Plains Athletic Conference championship and have placed in the Top 7 in the nation four times.

With the graduation of several top runners in the last two years, Spangler will also be looking to rebuild. One of his top priorities is to improve the women’s team, which has fielded several top runners but has failed to turn that into team results at a national level.

In addition to his cross country honors, Spangler was a three-time All-American in the marathon and an indoor track All-American in the 5,000-meter distance relay. He has also been appointed assistant track coach, replacing Ted Murray, who has become an admissions counselor.

Spangler will complete his master’s degree in special education this fall from the University of South Dakota.

Dana College is a private, liberal arts institution that currently enrolls approximately 600 students. The campus is located on 150 acres overlooking the Missouri River Valley in Blair, Neb. Dana grants bachelor’s degrees in more than 35 liberal arts, business, education and pre-professional programs, with an emphasis on personalized teaching from experienced and dedicated faculty. Dana is a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and its athletic teams compete in the Great Plains Athletic Conference.

More information on Dana College can be found at www.dana.edu.

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For more information contact: Sarah Cavanah, (402) 426-7216, scavanah@fs1.dana.edu