Buddenhagen set to continue distance career with Warriors
By Matt Oliver
CRESTON – The Waldorf University women’s cross country and track and field programs continue to build for the future with the addition of Charley Buddenhagen.
Buddenhagen, a transfer from Southwestern Community College (SWCC), signed a letter of intent with the Warriors on Tuesday.
“Charley will bring some experience to our young women’s cross country team this coming fall,” Waldorf coach Kelsey Riggins said. “She is coming from a very solid program down at SWCC.”
A New Virginia native, Buddenhagen graduated from Interstate 35 High School in 2015. She was a three-year letter winner in track and lettered in cross country twice during her career with the Roadrunners.
Continuing her career at SWCC, Buddenhagen was named a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), Academic All-American and earned all-Region XI Academic honors during her time with the Spartans. She owns a personal-best 5K time of 21 minutes and clocked her fastest 800-meter performance in 2 minutes, 30 seconds.
Buddenhagen is the daughter of Kerri and Don Buddenhagen. She plans to study business management at Waldorf and said she is looking ahead to running for the Warriors. Waldorf’s track program enters its third year of competition during the 2016-17 academic year.
“I am excited about the chance to be a part of a bigger team and continue my career as a runner,” Buddenhagen said. “I chose Waldorf University, because I want to be a part of the new track team, and I really like their athletic program.”
Buddenhagen joins Chasen Selsor, Cassidy Warson, Aaron Ward, Ovan Garcia, Peyton Russell and Korey Beaman as former SWCC student-athletes currently competing for the Warriors.
“We are looking forward to adding the seventh Spartan to our roster,” Riggins said. “All of the former SWCC athletes have been great additions to our program.”
This fall, Buddenhagen will arrive at Waldorf as a sophomore and aims to provide a boost to Waldorf’s cross country program. She will shift her focus to the track when the indoor season gets under way in the winter. Aside from a high level of commitment to distance running, Buddenhagen also places a significant emphasis on academic achievement.
“Charley also works very hard in the classroom, which is equally as important to working hard on the track and cross country course,” Riggins said. “We are looking forward to having a solid presence in women’s distance in the 2016-17 season.”