SEWARD, Neb. – For the 10th time in his career, Concordia University’s Matt Beisel has been recognized as a regional coach of the year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). Beisel was honored with 2024 NAIA Midwest Region Women’s Outdoor Coach of the Year accolades on Friday (May 17). The distinction comes soon after Beisel and his Bulldog staff received the Jim McMahon/Hauff Mid-America Sports GPAC Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Staff of the Year award. The USTFCCCA honors coaches and athletes in five separate regions.
Currently in his eighth season heading the cross country and track & field programs, Beisel has also been named GPAC Coach of the Year a total of 12 times (once for cross country). Beisel and his staff recently led the Concordia women’s program to its 11th-straight GPAC title. Conference champions on the women’s side included the women’s 4x400 meter relay, Kylahn Freiberg (1,500 meters), Abby Gerber (shot put), Jordan Koepke (400 hurdles), Josi Noble (heptathlon) and Adrianna Rodencal (100 hurdles).
During Beisel’s tenure, the women’s track and field program has placed 12th or better at 13 of 14 national meets. This past indoor season, the women’s team brought home a trophy while placing in a tie for third in the NAIA. Along the way, Beisel’s staff for his entire tenure has included assistants Ed McLaughlin, Mark Samuels and Jason Berry. In addition, Ben Hinckfoot joined the staff in January 2021. Maddie Wachowski and Lia Guigui serve as graduate assistants while Steve Hoger coaches the race walkers.
Beisel, his staff and 32 Bulldog athletes are preparing to compete at the 2024 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Marion, Ind., May 22-25.