Molly Hanson Class: Freshman Hometown: Dodgeville, Wis. High School: Dodgeville Position: XC/Distance Experience: FR/FR

Assistant Coach Mike Nelson on Hanson:
"Molly has a family connection to MU track & field as her sister is former MU All-American and school record holder, Michaela Courtney. Like Michaela, Molly had a very successful high school career, especially during her senior season. She was the Wisconsin Division 2 state champion in cross country as well as the 1,600. Molly ended her high school career as one of the fastest prep girls all-time in the state of Wisconsin. Her 800 time of 2:11.48 ranks seventh and her 1,600 time of 4:54.81 ranks her 16th all-time."

High School: Hanson earned four letters in both cross country and track and field at Dodgeville High School ... Elected team captain of cross country and track and field her senior year ... Was individual state cross country champion and first team all-state selection as a senior ... 2011 Wisconsin Cross Country Coaches Association District 5 Runner of the Year ... Helped Dodgeville to two state cross country championships as a junior and senior, while also recording four conference and three sectional titles ... Was the WIAA Division 2 state runner-up in the 800 meters as a sophomore ... Holds personal-best marks of 2:12 in the 800, 59.64 seconds in the 400, and 14:23 in the 4K.

Personal: Hanson was born in Dodgeville, Wis., to Joe and Ann Hanson ... Her father ran track and cross country for the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, and her mother at the University of Wisconsin-Madison... She has two siblings, Mary and Michaela ... Michaela ran track and cross country for Marquette and was an All-American 1,500-meter runner and also holds the MU record in that event ... Plans to major in journalism.