Two Nebraska Wesleyan University track & field assistant coaches were honored by the United States Track Coaches Association as the NCAA Central Region Assistant Coaches-of-the-Year. While each coach works with both men and women in the NWU program, Ann Ringlein was honored as the women’s coach of the year and Kurt Nielsen was chosen as the men’s assistant coach of the year. 

With coach Ringlein’s assistance, the NWU distance runners enjoyed a tremendous year. The Prairie Wolves had athletes reach NCAA provisional qualifying marks in the 800, 1,500, 3,000 Steeplechase, 5,000 and 10,000.

Nielsen’s horizontal jumpers also enjoyed a great season. Sophomore long jumpers Anne Kersenbrock (18’6 ½) and Megan Mejstrik (18’5 ¾) made great progress and qualified for the NCAA outdoor championship. Another sophomore Nick Green made incredible progress from ACL surgery last fall to win the GPAC outdoor Triple Jump title (46’7 ½) and post a NCAA provisional qualifying mark.

“Ann and Kurt are absolutely deserving of these awards,” NWU Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Dr. Ted Bulling said. “The thing that makes both of them so effective is not just their substantial technical knowledge of their event area but also the tremendous personal relationships that they form with their athletes. Ann and Kurt’s athletes know that their coaches have a great understanding of the sport and they also know that their coaches care a great deal about them both on and off the track.” 

“Our program is so very fortunate to have an incredibly talented coaching staff. Besides Ann and Kurt, Scott Etherton (Hurdles), Chris Baum (Vertical Jumps), Derek Frese (Throws), Dan Bulling (Javelin) and Ashley Styskal (Graduate Assistant) are simply the best!” Bulling added.

The NWU track & field teams have 18 athletes competing at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships on May 22-24 in Oshkosh, Wis.