Oct. 27, 2003

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Former University of Wisconsin All-America distance runner Janet Westphal has joined the Santa Clara University women's cross country staff as an assistant coach, head coach Tom Service announced today.

Westphal, a six-time All-American in track and cross country under coach Peter Tegen, will work primarily with the Bronco women's distance squad. She will assist in all aspects of the women's program under Service's direction.

"We are thrilled to have Janet join our program," said Service, who is nearing the end of his third cross country season at Santa Clara. "She brings a very high level of competitive experience to our program and our athletes are sure to benefit from her leadership. Janet has a strong background as a world-class athlete with international experience and she has the drive and desire to be a real asset to our program."

A four-year all-Big Ten Conference selection, Westphal was the top ranked collegian and won the league title in the 1,500-meters in 1999. She represented the United States in the World University Games that year in Mallorca, Spain and qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2000. She graduated from Wisconsin in 1999.

Westphal set personal bests of 2:06 in the 800-meters, 4:15 in the 1,500-meters and 9:20 in the 3,000-meters. She and her sister, Jenni, were inducted into the Wisconsin State Track Hall of Fame in 1998 after the duo led Marinette (Wis.) High School to three state track championships.