LOGAN DEMOND
Staff Writer
The Bethel College Track and Field program has seen a lot of turnover in the last few seasons, but coach Mark Nelson might be the perfect fit.
“I came here from Fayette, Missouri, where I spent one year as an assistant track coach and 9 years as the Director of Track and Field/Cross Country at Central Methodist University (CMU). I have been coaching track and field since the spring of 1997,” said Nelson.
Not only is this Nelson’s first season coaching the Threshers, but his first season back from a brief hiatus from coaching.
“The most exciting aspect has been the opportunity to return to coaching after having decided to ‘retire’ and work in business for a little over a year. I am very excited to be back coaching!”
Nelson is the second coach in just three seasons for a squad that has seen several All-American performances the past two seasons. As for the team’s response to another change in leadership, Nelson says the buy-in from his athletes has been positive and that he has “really enjoyed” his time with the team this year.
Looking ahead, Nelson outlined his recruitment plan for years to come.
“This program needs to grow, especially on the women's side, but also our event groups overall. My last team at CMU was more than double this team's size.”
In mid-March, Nelson and Thresher Track and Field hosted their first home meet of the season and competed against seven other squads.
“Trey Palmer had excellent early times in the 100 and 200; Isaiah Bartel had a good win in the 800. On the women's side, Karsen Dunham had excellent early season performances in the long jump and triple jump, Mia Roman and Stephany Meyer had great early season times in the 400, and a great 4x400 relay split by Laiya Palmer. Overall, I was very happy with how we competed,” Nelson said.
Not only was this Nelson’s first home meet, but he was forced to fly solo with both athletic directors in Kansas City supporting men’s basketball at the national tournament most of the week. However, other programs stepped in to fill the void.
“I had some great help from the coaching staff who helped directly with the meet and helped provide needed volunteers from their programs to help this meet go off without a hitch.”
When asked about the outpouring of community support and proper track etiquette, Nelson said, “we loved the crowd at our first home meet” and encouraged students to “come in large numbers and get loud.”
Both students and community members will have another chance to support the track and field athletes at home on Friday, April 15th. Nelson is sure to have his squad ready once again.
