FARMINGTON – University of Maine at Farmington Director of Athletics, Fitness & Recreation Julie Davis announced today that head Men’s Cross Country Coach Arvid Cullenberg has resigned after nine seasons of coaching the Beavers to spend more time with his family.
Head Women’s Cross Country Coach Ryan Wagner has agreed to become the head coach for both the men’s and women’s programs.
“We thank Arvid for his nine seasons of service and we wish him and his family all of the best,” said Davis. “We’re excited about continuing successful men’s and women’s cross country programs under Ryan’s tutelage.”
“I am very enthusiastic about coaching both the men’s and the women’s cross country programs,” said Wagner. ”They’ve had a great tradition of excellence that I wish to continue.”
The seven-time conference coach of the year, Cullenberg enjoyed considerable success. Highlights over the past nine years include: six team conference championships, 28 individual all-conference selections, five conference runners of the year awards, four individual qualifiers for Nationals and two Academic All-Americans. Last season, the Beavers placed second in the North Atlantic Conference.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience as men’s cross country coach,” said Cullenberg. “The UMF athletic personnel have been very professional and fun to work with. It was not the team successes that were most important to me, but the personal interaction with the student-athletes that is hardest to leave behind.”
Wagner, also coordinator of the University’s First Year Collegiate Physical Fitness Programs, became the Beavers’ Women’s Cross Country Head Coach in 2008. He led Farmington to a NAC title and shared NAC Coach of the Year honors. The Beavers’ women’s cross country team has won four of the last five North Atlantic Conference championships.
Wagner joined Farmington from Marshfield (Mass.) High School where he has been a physical educator since 2002 and the head boys cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field coach since 2005. He also served as the head boys indoor track and field coach (2003-04) and head boys and girls indoor track and field coach (2004-05). Wagner also served as a volunteer cross country and track and field coach at East Stroudsburg (Pa.) University from 2000-2002. During his time at East Stroudsburg, he earned a Master of Education degree in Health & Physical Education.
A former cross country and middle distance runner at Syracuse University, Wagner graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in Health & Exercise Science with a minor in Physical Education.
