BAKERSFIELD, Calif. ? There will be a new 'Runner at the front of the CSUB cross country team this season as Maija Rohde take over as cross country coach for the 2007 season. Rohde succeeds interim coach Robert Boyles, who remains at CSUB as assistant men's and women's track and field coach.

“This is an exciting time for the CSUB cross country program,” says Roadrunner Athletic Director Rudy Carvajal. “Maija is a bright young coach who we think is a great fit for our cross country team. We look forward to seeing her take her team through its first season of NCAA Division I competition.”

This will be Rohde's first stint as a collegiate coach, but not her first brush with the 'Runner cross country program. She was a standout student?athlete in both cross country and track and field at Cal State L.A., a conference rival of CSUB's prior to the university's recent move to the NCAA Division I level.

While at CSLA, Rohde was an NCAA Division II national qualifier in both indoor and outdoor track in addition to cross country. In fact, she helped lead the Golden Eagles to a fourth place finish at the 2006 NCAA Cross Country Championships. She went on to earn All?America honors in the 5,000 meters at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships last spring.

Rohde will get a quick baptism of fire to her coaching career as the 'Runners open their 2007 schedule Sept. 1 at the Fullerton Season Opener. CSUB will host the Roadrunner Invitational ? its only home meet of this season ? on Sept. 22.