Six high school standouts have signed a National Letter of Intent to compete in cross country and/or track and field for the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2016-17.

The group includes Maria Berg (New Prague High School), Melissa Drenckhahn (Wayzata High School), Paige DuBois (Bay Port High School), Sarah Harrison (Orono High School), Savannah Rivard (Osceola High School) and Kathryn Webb (Chippewa Falls High School).

"My coaching staff and I have worked hard on finding these exceptional student-athletes to join our team next fall," said UMD head coach Joanna Warmington. "They are top-notch individuals in the classroom and on the athletic field. Most importantly, I have enjoyed getting to know their personalities and they will bring great character to our program. I feel that each one will have an immediate impact on my team and I look forward to watching them develop their talent."

Berg is an 11-time cross country and track letterwinner at New Prague High School. She has made a combined five Minnesota State High School cross country (2013-15) and track (2014-15) appearances for the Trojans andwas their cross country captain this past fall.  Her personal bests include 2:18.08 (800 meters) and 5:16.89 (1,600 meters) in track and 18:46 (5k) in cross country. Berg was also a member of the Trojan Times newspaper at New Prague High School and has competed in nordic skiiing for the Trojans for six years.She plans on majoring in civil engineering at UMD.



Drenckhahn was a four-year cross country participant and has also lettered twice in track at Wayzata High School. She is a two-time Minnesota State High School AA Cross Country Meet competitor, including in 2014 when the Trojans captured the team title (they were fourth this past fall). Her personal records include 5:24.19 (1,600 meters) and 11:20.24 (3,200 meters) in track. Drenckhahn  was an Academic All-State track honoree in 2015 and captained the Trojans cross country team as a senior. She plans on majoring in exercise science and health at UMD.



DuBois is a four-time track and field letterwinner at Bay Port High School. She has qualifed for the Wisconsin State High School Track and Field Meet in eight events thus far and is a four-time state medalist (all relays). DuBois, the owner of four school records --  400-meter dash (58.6) , 4 x 200-meter relay, 4 x 400-meter relay and 4 x 800-meter relay, is a member of the National Honor Society, Leadership of Athletics and president of Sting Cancer. She'll serve as a team captain with the track and field Pirates this spring. DuBois has also lettered twice in basketball (shooting guard) as a prep. She plans on majoring in exercise science  at UMD.


Harrison is four-year letterwinner in both cross country and track at Orono High School. She competed in four Minnesota State High School AA Cross Country meets and received All-Wright County East honors on four occassions as well. In addition, Harrison has captained the Spartans in cross country and track, and holds the Trojan progeam record in the 1,600-meter run and 4 x 800-meter relay. Her personal records include 2:21.54 (800 meters), 5:15.67 (1,600 meters) and 19:15.77 (5k cross country). During the past five winters, Harrison has skated at wing for the hockey Spartans and has handled the team captaincy role as a junior and senior. She plans on majoring in biology  at UMD.



Rivard is a four-time track letterwinner rack who also competed for one season in cross country at Osceola High School. She made three trips to the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association State Track and Field Meet during her prep tenure, qualifying in seven events with her best individual finish coming last year in the 400-meter dash (second place). She is a four-time state medalist -- 400 meters (2015), 4 x 100 meter relay (2013 and 2014) and 4 x 400-meter relay (2015). The cousin of former five-time UMD track and cross country All-American Samantha Rivard (2013-15), Rivard holds Osecola High School records in both the 400 meters (57.77) and 4 x 400-meter relay. She plans on majoring in pre-medicine at UMD.



Webb has lettered four years in track and field at Chippewa Falls High School. She has been a member of four WIAA State Track and Field Championship-qualifying relay teams, two of which were rmedalists. She is the owner of three Cardinal relay team records and lifetime bests  include 61.84 (400 meters) and 2:22.01 (800 meters). Webb, a one-time letterwinner in both cross country and basketball (guard), is also a member of the Chippewa Falls High School Student Council, DECA, and the recipient of the Athena award. She plans on majoring in exercise science.