Bio

Linze Leimkuehler made her mark at Missouri Valley College as a member of the track and field team.  Leimkuehler finished her career as a four-year letterwomen, and as one of the most decorated female student-athletes at the college.  She won two conference championships during her time as a Viking, winning the 55-meter dash at the 2005 Heart of America Athletic Conference Indoor Championships.  Linze was a member of the Heart Outdoor Championships 4x100 meter relay championship team.  Leimkuehler was a 10-time Heart All-Conference performer in indoor track, and a 10-time All-Conference performer in outdoor track.  She qualified to compete in the NAIA National Indoor Track and Field Championships four times, and was a four-time qualifier for the NAIA National Outdoor Track and Field Championships.  Leimkuehler earned NAIA All-American honors in outdoor track in 2005 and 2007, and was a two-time selection to the NAIA All-America Academic Team in 2006 and 2007.  She still holds one school record with a time of 7.83 seconds in the 60 meter dash, set in 2005.

In addition to her time as a track student-athlete at Missouri Valley, Leimkuehler was active in the Marshall Public Schools enrichment programs, was a member of S-MSTA, was on the Dean’s List multiple years, ran cross as a senior and was the 2007 Missouri Valley College Hall of Fame Scholarship recipient.

After graduating from Missouri Valley with bachelor’s of science degrees in exercise science and health and fitness, Leimkuehler stayed in the Marshall, Mo., community and worked at the Salt Fork YMCA in serveral capacities.  She worked at putting the mission of the YMCA into motion to help the community and the surrounding area.  In 2016, Leimkuehler came back to Missouri Valley to work as the Assistant Director of Financial Aid.  She also served on the Misosuri Valley College Alumni Board from 2012-14.  Leimkuehler has stayed active in running, and holds two age group records in the 100-meter dash and earned over 75 medals at the Show-Me-State Games.  She has competed in more than 150 competitive races since 2010, ranging from 5,000 meters to marathons and is a lifetime member with USA Track and Field.

Leimkuehler credits her teammates as the people who influenced her the most during her time at Missouri Valley.  They made her a better competitor, student and person.  The diversity of Missouri Valley College allowed her to run with people from all over the world and create lifelong friendships.