Riley Buese returns to her alma mater as an assistant coach in the Fall of 2025.
One of the most decorated student-athletes in school history, Buese will work with the cross country and track & field programs.
Lewis & Clark put together a strong season during Buese's first campaign. In the Fall, senior Malia Heien earned All-Region accolades and competed at the NCAA DIII National Championship Meet for a third-straight season. During the track season, seventeen student-athletes earned All-Conference honors at the Northwest Conference Championship Meet and 13 River Otters were named to the All-Region Team. At the Northwest Conference Championship Meet, Malia Heien (800M and 1,500M), Evan Markelz (5,000M) and Keegan Zaso (triple jump) combined to win four NWC Championships. Men's track & field placed fourth overall to record their highest finish at the NWC Championship since 1992 and scored their most points (91) since the 1988 NWC Championship.
In her four years on Palatine Hill, Buese set a new school record by earning eight All-American honors, including posting five as a senior. She finished her career with 20 All-Region honors, 12 All-Conference accolades and nine Northwest Conference Championships. In addition to her successes on the cross country course and track, she also was named an Academic All-American twice - including becoming only the second First Team Academic All-American (2025) in school history.
During her first season on staff, Lewis & Clark enjoyed a strong distance season with six student-athletes earning All-Conference accolades. Senior Malia Heien matched Buese as one of the five student-athletes to qualify for three Cross Country National Championship Meets in the Fall. Heien (All-Region) and juniors Quinn Higgins and Sam Garcia all took home All-Conference accolades. In the Spring, Heien (800M and 1,500M) and junior Evan Markelz (Men's 5,000M) each won their first career NWC Titles. Junior Emil Miller (3,000M Steeplechase) added a second-place finish and Higgins and senior Miriam Reside added All-Conference honors.
