Nebraska Wesleyan University Men's Track

McKenzie begins her second season as an assistant coach for the Prairie Wolves cross country program.  She also is an assistant for the NWU track & field program.   McKenzie, a 2010 NWU graduate, joined the staff after coaching stints at two other institutions.  She spent two years as a graduate assistant coach at South Dakota State University where she earned a Masters degree in exercise science.  During the 2013-14 season, McKenzie served as an assistant coach at the University of Nebraska.   As a NWU student-athlete, she was a two-time All-American in cross country.  Her fifth place finish in 2008 at the NCAA III Cross Country Championships is the highest finish for a NWU female runner.  She was also an All-American in track in the 5,000 meters.  She won seven individual GPAC Championships and holds four school records.  In 2010, the Lincoln Journal Star named her the State College Athlete of the Year.  Later that year, Jackie was one of 29 women in the nation to receive an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship.   In addition to her coaching duties, McKenzie will have academic responsibilities in the Health & Human Performance department focusing on exercise science.   She is married to Derrick McKenzie, a 2012 NWU graduate and former member of the track & field program who is an assistant for the Prairie Wolves track team.  

Bulling begins his 24th season as the Nebraska Wesleyan mens cross country coach and his 19th year as the head coach for the women in 2013. He also coaches the NWU track and field teams in his role as Director of Track & Field/Cross Country. Over the years, his teams have won a combined total of 64 conference team titles.   Bulling is currently serving as the President of the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Association (USTFCCCA), the first Division III coach to serve as the president of the association.   In cross country, Bulling has led the men to GPAC crowns in 11 of the last 14 seasons, while the NWU women have won or shared 10 of the last 13. Nebraska Wesleyans men qualified as a team for the NCAA Cross Country Championships 15 years in a row from 1997-2011, while the women have made it in 12 of the last 17 seasons. Bullings cross country coaching career includes Gary Wassermans individual national title at the NCAA Championships in 1992, as well as a third-place NCAA mens team finish in 2001 and fourth-place NCAA mens team finishes in both 2002 and 2005.   Last season, Bullings young squad battled injuries but still had a second place finish at the GPAC Championships for the women and a third place finish for the men.  At the NCAA Regional meet, Johnny Rutford placed 12th overall to earn a spot at the NCAA III Championships.   A six-time national coach of the year, Bulling has also helped Nebraska Wesleyans track and field program build a national reputation. The NWU mens track and field teams have placed in the top four nationally in seven of the last 15 NCAA meets, and the 2005 mens outdoor team finished No. 1 in the national power rankings.  In 2000, Bulling became the only coach in history to receive both the NAIA and NCAA Mens Indoor Track & Field Coach of the Year awards.   A 1980 Nebraska Wesleyan graduate with a bachelors degree in psychology, Bulling enjoyed an outstanding athletic career. He held the schools discus record for 10 years and was also a three-year starter on the football teams defensive line.   Bulling received his doctoral degree in educational psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1993. In addition to his coaching duties at NWU, Bulling is also an adjunct professor of education. Bulling and his wife, Denise, have two adult children, Emily and Elliott. Ted Bulling Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Dr. Ted Bulling begins his 24th season as the Nebraska Wesleyan mens cross country coach and his 19th year as the head coach for the women in 2013. He also coaches the NWU track and field teams in his role as Director of Track & Field/Cross Country. Over the years, his teams have won a combined total of 64 conference team titles.   Bulling is currently serving as the President of the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Association (USTFCCCA), the first Division III coach to serve as the president of the association.   In cross country, Bulling has led the men to GPAC crowns in 11 of the last 14 seasons, while the NWU women have won or shared 10 of the last 13. Nebraska Wesleyans men qualified as a team for the NCAA Cross Country Championships 15 years in a row from 1997-2011, while the women have made it in 12 of the last 17 seasons. Bullings cross country coaching career includes Gary Wassermans individual national title at the NCAA Championships in 1992, as well as a third-place NCAA mens team finish in 2001 and fourth-place NCAA mens team finishes in both 2002 and 2005.   Last season, Bullings young squad battled injuries but still had a second place finish at the GPAC Championships for the women and a third place finish for the men.  At the NCAA Regional meet, Johnny Rutford placed 12th overall to earn a spot at the NCAA III Championships.   A six-time national coach of the year, Bulling has also helped Nebraska Wesleyans track and field program build a national reputation. The NWU mens track and field teams have placed in the top four nationally in seven of the last 15 NCAA meets, and the 2005 mens outdoor team finished No. 1 in the national power rankings.  In 2000, Bulling became the only coach in history to receive both the NAIA and NCAA Mens Indoor Track & Field Coach of the Year awards.   A 1980 Nebraska Wesleyan graduate with a bachelors degree in psychology, Bulling enjoyed an outstanding athletic career. He held the schools discus record for 10 years and was also a three-year starter on the football teams defensive line.   Bulling received his doctoral degree in educational psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1993. In addition to his coaching duties at NWU, Bulling is also an adjunct professor of education. Bulling and his wife, Denise, have two adult children, Emily and Elliott.

Nielsen is in his 11th season at Nebraska Wesleyan as the horizontal jumps coach. During his first year with the Prairie Wolves, he coached triple jumper Lee Seberger to a NCAA Div. III Indoor National Championship and under Nielsen's guidance, Erin Powell earned All-America status in the long jump and triple jump in five of her seven national meet appearances. In the past 10 years, Nielsen has coached seven athletes to a total of 18 All-America awards. In 2012 he coached John Kersenbrock to two All-American awards in the long jump as well as the school record in the outdoor long jump. In 2009 he was named the Central Region Women's Assistant Coach of the Year, marking the second straight season he received the honor. In 2008 he was named as the Central Region Men's Assistant Coach of the Year. Nielsen received a physical education degree from NWU in 1975 and had a stellar track & field career. As an athlete at Nebraska Wesleyan, Nielsen was a 10-time Conference champion, winning eight high jump titles and two long jump titles. He still holds both the indoor and outdoor school records in the high jump. In fact, his high jump of 7-2 3/4 in 1973 was the third best in any collegiate division that year and remains the conference outdoor meet record. For his efforts, the Lincoln Journal Star and Omaha World Herald named Nielsen State College Athlete of the Year. Then, in 1974, he won the NCAA DIII crown in the high jump. Nielsen served three years as an assistant track and field coach at Gering High School before returning to Lincoln. He then served 10 years as an assistant and 14 years at the head track & field coach at Northeast High School. Nielsen currently teaches at Pound Middle School. He and his wife Becky have two sons, Justin and Jared.

Etherton is in his 25th season as an assistant coach at Nebraska Wesleyan, working primarily with the hurdles again this year. He has coached 21 athletes to 85 All-American awards in hurdles, long jump and triple jump. Etherton's athletes have also claimed four national crowns. In 2003 he was recognized as a winner of the AFLAC National Assistant Coach of the Year award winner. A 1987 graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan, Etherton is one of the most decorated track athletes in school history winning 10 All-America awards during his career at NWU. He also won national titles in the 60-yard hurdles at the 1986 NAIA Indoor Championships and in the 110-meter high hurdles at the 1987 NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships. In addition to coaching, Etherton is the Program Director of the Lancaster County Crisis Center. He has two children, Olivia and Eli.

Baum is in his 23rd season as an assistant coach, working with Nebraska Wesleyan's high jumpers, pole vaulters and multi-event athletes. Baum has personally coached 31 national qualifiers, 18 of whom earned a combined total of 35 All-America awards and four national titles. he was also recognized as a winner of the AFLAC National Assistant Coach of the Year award on Jan. 31, 2004. In the fall of 2011, Baum was inducted into the NWU Athletic Hall of Fame as he won the Spirit of the Plainsmen Award. A three-time Conference Champion and All-American himself, Baum is a 1991 graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan with a bachelor's degree in physical education and health (K-12). He has earned his masters in education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he studied post secondary athletic administration. Baum also currently works as a physical education instructor at Humann Elementary School. He and his wife, Stephanie, have a son Jacob and daughter Avery. Chris Baum Vertical Jumps Coach Chris Baum is in his 23rd season as an assistant coach, working with Nebraska Wesleyan's high jumpers, pole vaulters and multi-event athletes. Baum has personally coached 31 national qualifiers, 18 of whom earned a combined total of 35 All-America awards and four national titles. he was also recognized as a winner of the AFLAC National Assistant Coach of the Year award on Jan. 31, 2004. In the fall of 2011, Baum was inducted into the NWU Athletic Hall of Fame as he won the Spirit of the Plainsmen Award. A three-time Conference Champion and All-American himself, Baum is a 1991 graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan with a bachelor's degree in physical education and health (K-12). He has earned his masters in education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he studied post secondary athletic administration. Baum also currently works as a physical education instructor at Humann Elementary School. He and his wife, Stephanie, have a son Jacob and daughter Avery.

Derrick McKenzie is entering his 3rd year as the Director of Cross Country / Track and Field at Nebraska Wesleyan. His second season at the helm in 2025 produced many national and conference accolades.   At the NCAA National level, his teams had 12 NCAA qualifying performances. This included 3 first team NCAA All-Americans, and an NCAA National Champion. Avery Decker capped off her storied career as she became the National Champion in the javelin throw. Indoors, both Emmilly Berglund and Noah Smith picked up their first career All-American honors. Berglund launched her way to 4th at the national meet in the shot put while Smith finished 7th in the national final in the 60H.   Additionally at the national meet, McKenzie’s athletes earned five 2nd team All-American honors. Eli Mackowski (HJ), Sam Clements (Shot), Kaelyn Means (Discus), Emmilly Berglund (Shot-outdoors), and Colin Wojtkiewicz (Hammer).   Throughout all three seasons of cross country, indoor, and outdoor, the Prairie Wolves accounted for 17 all A-R-C performances including 4 Conference Champions. Six times during the 2025 season his athletes earn A-R-C athlete of the week accolades. During the 2025 season, his athletes racked up 7 school records and 10 All Midwest Region Honors.   Off the track, Morgan Conner and Avery Decker won the programs 35th and 36th NCAA Post Graduate honor, which continues to lead the country. Decker also earned herself an Academic All-American honor which is the 55th in program history and currently ranks #8 nationally.    Since his time of leading the Prairie Wolf cross country / track and field program, McKenzie’s athletes have accounted for: 37 All-Conference performances, including 10 Conference Champions  8 NCAA first team All-American performances, including 2 National Runner Ups, and 1 National Champion 7 NCAA second team All-American Performances 29 All-Region Honorees 11 school records 4 NCAA Post Graduate recipients 2 Academic All-American award winners 2 A-R-C Scholar Athlete of the Year winners 1 NCAA Woman of the Year top 30 finalist 1 top 15 team finish at the NCAA Championship In his eight years as an assistant while coaching the sprinters and relays, coach McKenzie led the Prairie Wolf sprinters to 39 NCAA All-American honors including 10 NCAA National Titles. Within that time frame, his athletes accounted for 75 All-Conference honors with 22 of those being conference champions. Many of those athletes accounted for 134 all-time top 10 performances in school history and 34 different school record performances. In 2019, McKenzie was named the Central Region Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year.  McKenzie, a 2012 graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan, had spent three years as an assistant coach at Omaha North High School.  ONHS had four Top-Finishes finishes in both the Boys and Girls Track and Field State Championship.             As a track & field athlete for the Prairie Wolves, McKenzie was a four-year letterwinner at NWU. He was a seven-time All-GPAC performer in track & field and a two-time NCAA National Qualifier in the 400 hurdles.               A native of Fremont, Nebraska, McKenzie earned his master’s degree in higher education administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2020. McKenzie and his wife Jackie (‘11), are the parents of two sons, Christian (5) and Marcus (3).  

Derek Frese has been leading the Nebraska Wesleyan throws program since the year 2007.              In his illustrious career, Frese has been named the Central Region Field Assistant Coach of the Year five times, most recently in 2018. Under his guidance the throws program has gained national prominence. His throwers have produced 37 All-American awards including an NCAA National Champion when Avery Decker won the javelin in 2025 and four national runner up performances in the shot put with Dayton Dolincheck in 2018, Samantha Dolezal in 2015 and 2016, and Avery Decker in 2024 in the javelin.   In a historic 2025, he added 6 more All-American honors to his resume. Most prominent was Avery Decker becoming the NCAA National Champion in the javelin. Her national title was her 4th career All-American honor in the event. Emmilly Berglund also gained her first All-American indoor in the shot put where she finished 4th at the indoor national meet. Four other athletes earned 2nd team All-American during the 2025 season; Sam Clements (Shot), Kaelyn Means (Discus), Colin Wojtkiewicz (Hammer), Emmilly Berglund (Shot-outdoors).   His throwers success also made noise in 2025 on the all-time NWU charts and on the conference level. The throwers claimed seven All-Conference performances including one conference title in the javelin as Avery Decker won her 3rd straight conference title. Both genders combined, the throwers produced 16 NWU all-time top 10 performances including three school records. Wojtkiewicz in the hammer (59.22m), Decker in the javelin (48.70m), and Eric Lenz in the weight (18.48m) all broke school records. Additionally, Sam Clements broke the both the freshman record in the shot put indoors and outdoors while having the farthest throw in the country out of any freshman during the indoor and outdoor season.                        He earned a bachelor’s degree in sports administration from University of Nebraska-Kearney in 2005. While at UNK he was a four-year member of the track team. Frese was a four-time NCAA II All-American in the throws and earned All-RMAC recognition in seven of the eight seasons he competed. He was also a team captain during the 2004 and 2005 seasons.    Frese came to NWU from Northwest Missouri State University where he served as a graduate assistant track and field coach for two seasons. He earned a master’s degree in athletic administration from Northwest Missouri in 2007.          A Bancroft, Neb., native, Derek lives with his wife Karla and three children in Lincoln. He also serves as a Strength & Conditioning Coach at Nebraska Wesleyan.

Derek Carson, a former NWU track & field standout, has served two different stints as an assistant coach for the Prairie Wolves. During the 2009-2010 season, he coached the sprinters with legendary Director of Track and Field / Cross Country coach, Ted Bulling.   Taking a few years off from coaching while working in Washington DC, Carson joined the coaching staff again in 2016 where he has primarily coached the multi-events and horizontal jumpers. While coaching the multi events, Carson has led 6 athletes to All-Conference honors. In 2025, under the tutelage of Carson, Tanner Johnson broke the indoor heptathlon school record scoring 4,708 points.    In the horizontal jumps during the 2025 campaign, he coached 5 performances that placed at the A-R-C championships. Both Natalie Cummins and Chloe Mooberry jumped their way to all-time NWU status with their personal bests of 5.60 and 5.55.             Carson was a five-time NCAA III All-American with the Prairie Wolves, earning three All-American awards at the 2009 NCAA III Outdoor Championships. He was part of the national runner-up 4x100 relay team during these 2009 Championships, as well as a member of the national runner-up 4x400 team during the 2008 NCAA III Indoor Championships.   The Lincoln, Nebraska native was a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American and earned a NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship.  Carson graduated from NWU in May 2009 with a degree in History.  A Nebraska Army National Guard veteran, he is employed by the federal government and lives in Lincoln with his wife Jamie and their three boys, Max, Zeke, and Theodore.