By Cristy Brusoe
UWRF Sports Information

Senior cross country runner Carly Eggert recorded the seventh best 6,000-meter time in school history (23:08) last year at the WIAC meet. This year, Eggert is co-captain along with Leah Korf
And has her eyes set on breaking 23 minutes in the 6,000 meter race.

Eggert is originally from St. Michael, Minn., where she grew up with five siblings. Remembering back to her younger days, Eggert recalled her first experience with running to compete. “Back in elementary school we use to have track and field days. I found out that I was pretty good at running,” she said.

At 13-years-old, Eggert developed her running ability by joining the cross country team at St. Michael-Albertville High School. She continued that through high school and into her freshman year at UW-River Falls.

Before visiting with coaches at UWRF, Eggert was set against coming here. “Every time I came to visit it was raining. I was like… I’m not going there; it’s never nice out,” she joked. After visiting with the coaching staff, Eggert had a change of heart. “The school had a major that was in the direction I was looking to go and the coaches sold me. It was helpful to come and see the facilities and meet the coaches,” Eggert said.

Now a senior, Eggert will graduate with an exercise science (health and human performance, option 2) major and a business minor. “I would like to open my own nutritional consulting business someday,” she said. For now though, Eggert will wait on that dream until finishing a masters program. “I plan on getting my masters degree in nutrition after graduating this year,” Eggert explained.

In her last year on the UWRF cross country team, Eggert has high expectation for herself and the team. “I’ve ran on the regional team all three years. I started freshman year as the seventh runner and am now No. 2. We have a strong team this year. A lot of freshmen came in. I would say our goal is to finish fifth or better in conference,” she said.

“Competing,” is what Eggert describes as the best part of being on the cross country team. “I probably wouldn’t run as much if I didn’t compete. I like running for a purpose. It’s motivating,” she said.
Scott Sekelsky, or “Skelly” as Eggert referred to him, is so-head coach of the women’s team and has had a huge impact on Eggert personally. “He’s a phenomenal coach,” she said.

Sekelsky views Eggert as an excellent role model and an extremely intelligent, caring and helpful individual. “It has been my pleasure to coach Carly for four years. In my 11 plus years of coaching I could not think of a better example of a student athlete. I don’t think I have ever witnessed her have a bad day, she is always positive even in difficult circumstances. Her work ethic as an athlete has made her one of the best distance runners in Falcon history. Her impact on the team will be felt for years to come, she has certainly helped us move forward as a team,” Sekelsky said.