PHS grad qualifies for DIII nationals

PALMER — In high school, Wylie Mangelsdorf didn’t plan on running at the college level. But now a Prinicipia College sophomore, Mangelsdorf is heading to the NCAA Division III National Championships.

“I hadn’t originally planned on it. I was staying with the team on visiting weekend. It was great, I really enjoyed the team,” Mangelsdorf said by cellphone from the Principia College campus in Elsa, Ill. “It’s the best decision I’ve made, so far.”

It’s a decision that put him in a position to achieve his most recent accomplishment. The former Moose running standout and 2010 Palmer High graduate ran on the varsity team as a freshman. As a sophomore, he’s moved to the front of the pack.

In late October, Mangelsdorf finished second in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Cross-Country Championships. He followed that performance with a 20th-place finish at the NCAA Division III Midwest Region Championships last week. Thanks to that effort, Mangelsdorf became just the fifth athlete in Principia College cross-country history to qualify for the national championships.

“I’m kind of surprised. It’s fun to hear those type of facts,” Mangelsdorf said. “I’m all grins.”

Mangelsdorf said the success is beyond his expectations.

“It’s caught me a little bit by surprise,” Mangelsdorf said. “My goal coming in to regionals was to do the best I could.”

It was not until the final kilometer that Mangelsdorf realized he was so close to extending his sophomore season.

“I heard I was getting close to the qualifying time. Me and my teammate, Drew Clark, ran side-by-side for most of the race. I pulled through and finished 20th.”

Clark finished 22nd and qualified as the first alternate and will make the trip to Winneconne, Wisc., with Mangelsdorf.

The race, hosted by Wisconsin-Oshkosh, is slated for Saturday at 1 p.m. EST at Lake Breeze Golf Course in Winneconne.

Mangelsdorf said he’s been happy with his times. He clocked a personal record early in the season and hopes to set another personal record again on Saturday.

Mangelsdorf is one of at least two runners with Valley roots competing in the NCAA championship meets this weekend. Another former Palmer High standout, Jake Parisien, is making his third trip to the NCAA Division II Championships with UAA. Parisien finished a career-high 17th at the national meet in 2008. Parisien is part of a UAA men’s team that’s ranked fifth in the country.

Mangelsdorf is also one of two siblings from his family to compete in a national championship event this year. His older sister, Julianna, is a member of the Principia College women’s soccer team that advanced to the Division III National Championships earlier in the fall.

Principia has been the college of choice for three Mangelsdorf children. His older sister, Molly, another PHS graduate, is a recent graduate of Principia.

Julianna is a junior this year.

Mangelsdorf said he and his sisters all made trips to the Illinois school and decided it was a perfect fit for each. Mangelsdorf’s dad grew up north of Principia in Chicago and had a friend who went to the school.

Mangelsdorf said he likes the campus and location of the school. It’s also a college for Christian Scientists, which is appealing, he said.

In addition to studying graphic design at Principia, Mangelsdorf has been running year-round. He’s also a member of Principia’s indoor and outdoor track and field squads. As a freshman, Mangelsdorf said he competed in everything from the 400-meter hurdles to the 5-K. This year, he’d like to focus on the steeplechase.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.