SEWARD, Neb. – Another coaching award came the way of Matt Beisel on Thursday (Feb. 22) as the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) named him its 2024 NAIA Midwest Region Women’s Indoor Coach of the Year. The honor comes on the same day that the GPAC recognized Beisel and the Concordia University Track & Field staff with the 2024 Jim McMahon Women’s Indoor Coach/Program of the Year award. Beisel and his staff led the Concordia women’s team to a team championship at the 2024 GPAC indoor meet. 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 collected his ninth career Midwest Region Coach of the Year accolade. The award comes on the heels of the Bulldog women’s track program capturing its 10th GPAC title in a row. Conference champions on the women’s side included the women’s 4x400 meter relay, Jenna Esch (600 and 800 meters), Rylee Haecker (1,000 meters), Jordan Koepke (400 meters) and Zoey Walker (high jump). In addition, Kylahn Freiberg broke the school record in the 3,000 meters.
Beisel has been honored with 11 career GPAC Coach of the Year awards (including one in cross country). During Beisel’s tenure, the women’s track and field program has placed 12th or better at 12 of 13 national meets. In 2023, the Bulldog women placed sixth in the NAIA for indoor and 23rd for outdoor. 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 and the Bulldogs are preparing to travel to Brookings, S.D., for the 2024 NAIA Indoor Track & Field Championships, Feb. 29 – March 2.