BISMARCK, ND – The University of Mary has promoted Cale Korbelik to head coach of track & field and cross country/program director. The 2026 Northern Sun Women's Outdoor Coach of the Year remains the Marauders' head men's and women's track & field coach while assuming oversight of the cross country program and working to expand the coaching staff.

"Cale has earned this opportunity through his leadership, the consistency of our program, and the results we've seen over the last several years," said University of Mary Director of Athletics Marcus Wagner. "Since joining the University of Mary, he has helped elevate our track & field program at every level—from conference championships and national success to the development of our scholar-athletes in the classroom and in their pursuit of their life's calling. This is a natural next step for both Cale and our program, and I'm excited to see him lead our track & field and cross-country programs into the future."

Korbelik joined the Marauders as an assistant coach in 2020 and was named interim head coach the following summer. He was named head track & field coach in 2022.

Under Korbelik's direction over the last five seasons, the Marauders have experienced tremendous success in both the NSIC and on the national level. Since 2022, the Marauders women's program has won two individual NCAA Division II titles and 28 All-American honors. The program has finished runner-up seven times at the NSIC indoor and outdoor championships while winning 33 event titles, seven NSIC Athlete of the Year honors, producing three high-point scorers, one Outstanding Senior Award recipient, and one Newcomer of the Year honoree.

The UMary men's program has produced 11 All-Americans over the last five seasons. In the Northern Sun, the Marauders have finished third or higher at the indoor and outdoor championships three times, including a runner-up finish outdoors in 2025, while claiming 11 event titles. UMary scholar-athletes have also earned NSIC Elite 18, Outstanding Senior, and Newcomer of the Year recognition.

Additionally, Marauders scholar-athletes have earned NSIC All-Academic Team recognition 341 times over the past five years.

The leadership transition follows the resignation of Chris Lessard, who has accepted a head coaching position elsewhere. The 2026 NSIC Women's Outdoor Assistant Coach of the Year, Lessard joined UMary in 2022 as the head men's and women's cross-country coach and assistant track & field coach.

"We are incredibly grateful for everything Chris has invested in our scholar-athletes and our cross country and distance programs over the last four years," said Wagner. "He has helped build on the tradition of excellence at UMary while growing tremendously as a coach and leader. We wish Chris and his family nothing but the best in his new role and as they begin this next chapter—we're eager to follow his continued success."

In four seasons as the Marauders' head cross country coach, Lessard continued the program's tradition of success. He directed the women's team to two NCAA Top-20 finishes, coached one All-American, one Northern Sun and NCAA Central Region champion, and nine All-NSIC performers. On the men's side, he coached one NSIC Outstanding Senior of the Year and 10 All-NSIC runners.

Lessard coached back-to-back high-point scorers at the NSIC women's indoor championships in 2025 and 2026, two NSIC Indoor Athletes of the Year, one NSIC Outstanding Senior, more than 20 All-NSIC performers, and three NCAA Division II All-American performances, including a runner-up finish at the national championships.

The move provides unified leadership for one of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference's most successful track & field and cross country programs.

With the Marauders men's and women's cross country teams set to report next week in preparation for the 2026 season, Korbelik and assistant track & field coach Travis Herrera will guide the program for the immediate future. A search for the next cross-country/distance coach for the Marauders is already underway.

UMary officially opens the 2026 season Friday, Sept. 11, when it hosts the Marauders Home Opener Meet at McDowell Dam.

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