FAIRBANKS – The Alaska Nanooks Department of Athletics and the Nanooks cross country program have announced the promotion of Conrad Haber to head coach. Haber, who has spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach with the program, takes over following the departure of former head coach Eliska Albritsen.
"I'd like to thank Eliska Albrigtsen for providing me with the opportunity to come to Fairbanks and for believing in me to build upon the culture and training environment she created," said Haber. "I'd also like to thank Dr. Brock Anundson for his belief in me and the opportunity to lead this program. Finally, I'm excited to continue the growth of this program and build upon what's been achieved over the past two years as we continue to redefine what it means to be a cross country student-athlete for the Alaska Nanooks."
"We are proud to announce Conrad Haber as the new Head Coach for both our Men's and Women's Cross Country programs at the University of Alaska Fairbanks," said Dr. Brock Anundson, Director of Athletics. "With his passion for developing student-athletes, a clear strategic vision for both programs, and a strong commitment to Nanook Athletics, we are confident that Conrad will continue to elevate our teams to new heights. We look forward to the success and growth that lies ahead under his leadership."
Success followed the Nanooks in both of Haber's first two seasons on staff. In 2023, the men's team posted strong performances at the Bill Roe Classic (11th) and SFS Invite (12th) before finishing ninth at the GNAC Championships. The women's squad shined throughout the year, earning fifth-place finishes at the Bill Roe Classic, SFS Invite, and NCAA DII West Region Championships, and tying a program record with a third-place team finish at the GNAC Championships.
Individual success highlighted the 2023 campaign as well, with Rosie Fordham and Kendall Kramer qualifying for the NCAA DII Cross Country Championships in Joplin, Mo. Kramer placed 23rd and Fordham 36th, with both earning All-America honors.
The momentum carried into 2024, when the Nanooks took another major step forward. The men's team opened the season by defeating UAA in the Seawolf Throwdown, placed eighth at the Bill Roe Classic, and finished seventh at the GNAC Championships — their best result since 2014. The women's team was dominant from start to finish, sweeping UAA in their head-to-head meets, finishing third at the Bill Roe Classic, and placing fifth at the Lewis Crossover.
The postseason brought historic results. Alaska earned a program-best second-place finish at the GNAC Championships, then placed fourth at the NCAA West Regional to secure a team berth at the NCAA Championships. The Nanooks went on to finish 13th nationally with 394 points and two All-Americans, including Kramer, who placed second overall — the highest finish ever by a Nanooks runner at the NCAA Championships.
Before joining Alaska in 2023, Haber spent eight years as head coach of cross country and track & field at Germantown Friends School (Philadelphia, Pa.). There, he guided the boys' cross country team to six consecutive league titles and three straight state championships, while leading the girls' program to multiple runner-up finishes and a league crown in 2022. His teams produced dozens of All-League and All-State athletes, multiple individual state champions, and a 2021 NXR-Northeast regional champion.
In track & field, Haber coached numerous All-Americans, broke more than 40 school records, guided athletes to over 120 state meet appearances, and coached a 2017 national champion. He was named 2017 PAISAA Boys Coach of the Year and earned the Positive Coaching Alliance Double-Goal Coach Award in 2023. Prior to Germantown, he coached at Runningworks Cross Country Camp and Washington Township High School, where he helped develop multiple state champions, All-Americans, and national qualifiers.
Follow the 'Nooks
IG – @NanooksXC
X – @NanooksXC
FB – Alaska Nanooks XC
