Bethany College (KS) Men's Track

Yoder majored in health and human performance with an emphasis in health promotions and wellness and a minor in business administration.  Yoder was a member of Phi Epsilon Kappa, where he was an advocate of health and wellness within the Hays community, and of the national honor society Omicron Delta Kappa, where he served as vice president for one year. Yoder completed his master's degree in sport and movement studies through Fort Hays in December 2010. While at Fort Hays, Yoder competed in cross country and track for the Tigers from 2004 to 2008. During this time, he earned All- Conference Cross Country Performer, All-Conference Indoor Track Performer (5k), four-time All-Conference Performer in Outdoor Track (Steeple, 5k, 10k), two-time MIAA Cross Country Runner of the Week, four-time Individual Champion of Collegiate Cross Country Races, and 3A State Mile Champion. Yoder was also a member of the two-time State Championship Track Team from Hillsboro High School and of the three-time State Runner-Up Cross Country Team from Hillsboro High School Yoder's experience includes working as a camp counselor and coach at numerous running camps, including the Jim Ryun Running Camp in Fort Collins, Colo., and Gettysburg, Pa. He has also filled in as a pastor at Saint Paul's Lutheran Church in Peabody, Kan. Halsie Large is in her first season as a coach for the Bethany Track and Field program. Previously, she was a member of the team. Large will join us as a graduated Swede! After high school, Large started her college career at Colby Community College. She holds the record at Colby in the Pentathlon. While there, Large was First Team All-Conference in the Pentathlon competing in the Kansas Jayhawk Conference.. In junior college, Large ranked 14 in the nation in the pentathlon. She was first in the conference and had the second best mark in the region Large has continued to break and re-break records while in the Swedes uniform. Large holds the Bethany record in the Pentathlon, Heptathlon, 600-meter and the Distance Medley Relay. She is a two-time NAIA national qualifier in the pentathlon, and has qualified once in the heptathlon. Halsie was highly active on campus working as a resident assistant and was also voted as the Homecoming Queen for Bethany College. We are very excited to have Halsie on staff for the track program.  Eric Hoke is beginning his second season as throws coach for the Swedes Track & Field team. In his first year as throws coach of the Swedes, Hokes throwers earned three Indoor All-KCAC awards including a KCAC Champion in the Weight. The throwing crew led the charge in the outdoor season as well with three more All-KCAC winners and two KCAC Champions in the Mens Hammer and the Womens Javelin. The javelin thrower went on to place fifth at the NAIA National Championship earning her third NAIA All-American award. Prior to coming to Lindsborg, Hoke was the throws coach for Quincy, University (QU) in Quincy, Ill. While at Quincy he was also the strength and conditioning coach for both the track & field team as well as the cross country team. While coaching for QU, Hokes throwers broke and/or established all of the records for the University. Before taking the position with QU, Hoke coached the throws for Quincy High School and the Quincy Track & Field Club (QTC) a premier USATF and AAU team. While at Quincy High his female throwers broke both the shot put and discus records, both of these athletes landed Division 1 scholarships. While with QTC, Hokes throwers earned over 25 zone championships, over 25 district championships, two national titles, four nationalrunner-ups, and 10 top ten performances. As an athlete, Hoke was four sport-athlete all through high school at Garnett High in Garnett, Kan. While there Hoke earned a silver medal in the discus and a silver medal in wrestling at the Kansas High School State Championships. Hoke still holds the record for the most tackles in a season and his javelin record held for 20 years. Hoke received scholarship offers for all four sports but ultimately decided to play football for Washburn University in Topeka, KS. Hoke holds a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science with a Personal Training emphasis and a Minor in Mathematics from Quincy University. Hoke is currently earning his Masters Degree in Human Health and Performance from Fort Hays University. Hoke has been married for 23 years to Laura Hoke and they have one daughter, Mariah Hoke, who just completed her college career at Murray State.