Southeastern Louisiana University Women's Track

Brady eagerly awaits the challenges of coaching a young squad this season. The former Southeastern pole vaulter has built the Lions and Lady Lions into a force in the highly competitive Southland Conference and expects continued success as his squad learns to compete.     Brady made program history as the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association named him the 2009 South Central Region Co-Mens Head Coach of the Year, sharing the award with Chris Bucknam, head coach of the 2009 SEC champion and traditional national powerhouse program at the University of Arkansas.   The national honor came on the heels of being named the Southland Conference Coach of the Year. Im very honored to receive this award, Brady said.  Its nice to see our program mentioned with some of the best in the nation.  However, this award is not about a head guy.  This is a credit to the effort our kids put in all year long and a credit to the support our administration and university has given us.  Without that, something like this wouldnt be possible.  So Im happy that our program has put itself in a position to get itself mentioned with one of the best programs in the nation.  Bradys main duties include overseeing the Southeastern sprinters, hurdlers and relay teams; a group that broke three school records and saw five NCAA Mideast Regional qualifiers during the course of the 2009 season. In total, the Alexandria native oversaw a team that produced ten student-athletes that qualified for NCAA postseason competition in 15 different events. Bradys 2009 Lions also produced the SLC Athlete of the Year (sophomore distance runner Henry Rop) and Outstanding Field Performer of the Year (junior thrower Adonson Shallow). Under the tutelage of Brady and his staff, Southeastern student athletes have constantly attacked the school record books, setting more than 50 standards since 2002. In the past eight seasons, 81 student-athletes have qualified for the NCAA Mideast Regionals, 17 student-athletes have competed in the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships with four Lions earning All-America honors and Janice Ezegbunum earning Academic All-America honors. Twenty six student-athletes have captured Southland Conference individual championships.  Brady began his college coaching career as a volunteer assistant at LSU, where he served two seasons under head coach Pat Henry. During his tenure in Baton Rouge, Brady coached several world class sprinters and eventual professional jumpers on the mens squad while assisting with meet preparation. After two seasons with the Tigers, Brady moved to Utah State in 1998 where he worked as an assistant and coached a pair of Big West Conference championship teams and developed a pair of Aggie school record holders. Prior to his coaching career, Brady proved to be a standout student-athlete.  The Alexandria native attended Northwestern State for one year where he played defensive back for the Demon football team, before transferring to Southeastern.  Brady spent three years in Hammond competing in the pole vault and earned a personal-best mark of 16 feet-5 inches as a senior. After earning his degree in Kinesiology at Southeastern in 1994, Brady went on and earned his Post Graduate Degree from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland where he taught athletics classes in the sports science curriculum and trained professional athletes. Brady graduated from Alexandria Senior High School where he was a district and regional champion in the pole vault. The son of James and Karen Brady, both Southeastern alums, Sean Brady holds certification from USA Track and Field as a Level I and II coach. Sean Brady Head Track and Field/Cross Country Coach Enterring his 14th season as Southeastern Louisianas track and field coach, Sean Brady eagerly awaits the challenges of coaching a young squad this season. The former Southeastern pole vaulter has built the Lions and Lady Lions into a force in the highly competitive Southland Conference and expects continued success as his squad learns to compete.     Brady made program history as the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association named him the 2009 South Central Region Co-Mens Head Coach of the Year, sharing the award with Chris Bucknam, head coach of the 2009 SEC champion and traditional national powerhouse program at the University of Arkansas.   The national honor came on the heels of being named the Southland Conference Coach of the Year. Im very honored to receive this award, Brady said.  Its nice to see our program mentioned with some of the best in the nation.  However, this award is not about a head guy.  This is a credit to the effort our kids put in all year long and a credit to the support our administration and university has given us.  Without that, something like this wouldnt be possible.  So Im happy that our program has put itself in a position to get itself mentioned with one of the best programs in the nation.  Bradys main duties include overseeing the Southeastern sprinters, hurdlers and relay teams; a group that broke three school records and saw five NCAA Mideast Regional qualifiers during the course of the 2009 season. In total, the Alexandria native oversaw a team that produced ten student-athletes that qualified for NCAA postseason competition in 15 different events. Bradys 2009 Lions also produced the SLC Athlete of the Year (sophomore distance runner Henry Rop) and Outstanding Field Performer of the Year (junior thrower Adonson Shallow). Under the tutelage of Brady and his staff, Southeastern student athletes have constantly attacked the school record books, setting more than 50 standards since 2002. In the past eight seasons, 81 student-athletes have qualified for the NCAA Mideast Regionals, 17 student-athletes have competed in the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships with four Lions earning All-America honors and Janice Ezegbunum earning Academic All-America honors. Twenty six student-athletes have captured Southland Conference individual championships.  Brady began his college coaching career as a volunteer assistant at LSU, where he served two seasons under head coach Pat Henry. During his tenure in Baton Rouge, Brady coached several world class sprinters and eventual professional jumpers on the mens squad while assisting with meet preparation. After two seasons with the Tigers, Brady moved to Utah State in 1998 where he worked as an assistant and coached a pair of Big West Conference championship teams and developed a pair of Aggie school record holders. Prior to his coaching career, Brady proved to be a standout student-athlete.  The Alexandria native attended Northwestern State for one year where he played defensive back for the Demon football team, before transferring to Southeastern.  Brady spent three years in Hammond competing in the pole vault and earned a personal-best mark of 16 feet-5 inches as a senior. After earning his degree in Kinesiology at Southeastern in 1994, Brady went on and earned his Post Graduate Degree from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland where he taught athletics classes in the sports science curriculum and trained professional athletes. Brady graduated from Alexandria Senior High School where he was a district and regional champion in the pole vault. The son of James and Karen Brady, both Southeastern alums, Sean Brady holds certification from USA Track and Field as a Level I and II coach. Enterring his 14th season as Southeastern Louisianas track and field coach, Sean Brady eagerly awaits the challenges of coaching a young squad this season. The former Southeastern pole vaulter has built the Lions and Lady Lions into a force in the highly competitive Southland Conference and expects continued success as his squad learns to compete.     Brady made program history as the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association named him the 2009 South Central Region Co-Mens Head Coach of the Year, sharing the award with Chris Bucknam, head coach of the 2009 SEC champion and traditional national powerhouse program at the University of Arkansas.   The national honor came on the heels of being named the Southland Conference Coach of the Year. Im very honored to receive this award, Brady said.  Its nice to see our program mentioned with some of the best in the nation.  However, this award is not about a head guy.  This is a credit to the effort our kids put in all year long and a credit to the support our administration and university has given us.  Without that, something like this wouldnt be possible.  So Im happy that our program has put itself in a position to get itself mentioned with one of the best programs in the nation.  Bradys main duties include overseeing the Southeastern sprinters, hurdlers and relay teams; a group that broke three school records and saw five NCAA Mideast Regional qualifiers during the course of the 2009 season. In total, the Alexandria native oversaw a team that produced ten student-athletes that qualified for NCAA postseason competition in 15 different events. Bradys 2009 Lions also produced the SLC Athlete of the Year (sophomore distance runner Henry Rop) and Outstanding Field Performer of the Year (junior thrower Adonson Shallow). Under the tutelage of Brady and his staff, Southeastern student athletes have constantly attacked the school record books, setting more than 50 standards since 2002. In the past eight seasons, 81 student-athletes have qualified for the NCAA Mideast Regionals, 17 student-athletes have competed in the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships with four Lions earning All-America honors and Janice Ezegbunum earning Academic All-America honors. Twenty six student-athletes have captured Southland Conference individual championships.  Brady began his college coaching career as a volunteer assistant at LSU, where he served two seasons under head coach Pat Henry. During his tenure in Baton Rouge, Brady coached several world class sprinters and eventual professional jumpers on the mens squad while assisting with meet preparation. After two seasons with the Tigers, Brady moved to Utah State in 1998 where he worked as an assistant and coached a pair of Big West Conference championship teams and developed a pair of Aggie school record holders. Prior to his coaching career, Brady proved to be a standout student-athlete.  The Alexandria native attended Northwestern State for one year where he played defensive back for the Demon football team, before transferring to Southeastern.  Brady spent three years in Hammond competing in the pole vault and earned a personal-best mark of 16 feet-5 inches as a senior. After earning his degree in Kinesiology at Southeastern in 1994, Brady went on and earned his Post Graduate Degree from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland where he taught athletics classes in the sports science curriculum and trained professional athletes. Brady graduated from Alexandria Senior High School where he was a district and regional champion in the pole vault. The son of James and Karen Brady, both Southeastern alums, Sean Brady holds certification from USA Track and Field as a Level I and II coach.

Bartolina has established himself as one of the premier jumps and combined event coaches in the nation. Before joining the Southeastern coaching staff, Bartolina spent three years as National Equipment Manager for First to the Finish - the second largest track and field supply company in the United States.  Prior to his time in the private sector, Bartolina spent seven seasons coaching at the collegiate level most recently as assistant track coach at McNeese State University. Before taking the job at McNeese, Bartolina served as head coach at Ranger Junior College (Texas) where he led the team to three top-three finishes in JUCO National Meets. Bartolina began his college coaching career in 1992-93 at Southeastern where he served as a graduate assistant and coached current Southeastern head coach Sean Brady.  Since joining the Lions track program, Bartolinas athletes have produced twelve regional performances, one national qualifying mark and an All-America honoree (Avery Sorapuru: 2006 Mens Long Jump).  In total, Bartolinas collegiate athletes have earned 17 All-Southland Conference awards, six Southland Conference championships, 12 NCAA Regional Championship berths, three NCAA National Championship berths, and one All-America award. Bartolina is also one of the most sought after coaches in the professional track and field community, coaching at least one Olympian in the past three summer games and developing Estonian heptathlete Kristian Rahnu who claimed fourth place at the 2006 World Championships.  At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Bartolina was represented by male pole vaulter Jure Rovan of Slovenia as well as female pole vaulter Erica Bartolina of the United States. Bartolina holds USA Track and Field Level II coaching certifications in the jumps and multi-events.  After competing in the pole vault for the Oklahoma State track and field team, he completed both his BS and MA degrees at The University of Central Oklahoma.  A native of Edmund, Oklahoma, Bartolina is married to Erica (Boren) Bartolina. He has one son, Ethan (12). During his 18-year coaching career, Michael Bartolina has established himself as one of the premier jumps and combined event coaches in the nation. Before joining the Southeastern coaching staff, Bartolina spent three years as National Equipment Manager for First to the Finish - the second largest track and field supply company in the United States.  Prior to his time in the private sector, Bartolina spent seven seasons coaching at the collegiate level most recently as assistant track coach at McNeese State University. Before taking the job at McNeese, Bartolina served as head coach at Ranger Junior College (Texas) where he led the team to three top-three finishes in JUCO National Meets. Bartolina began his college coaching career in 1992-93 at Southeastern where he served as a graduate assistant and coached current Southeastern head coach Sean Brady.  Since joining the Lions track program, Bartolinas athletes have produced twelve regional performances, one national qualifying mark and an All-America honoree (Avery Sorapuru: 2006 Mens Long Jump).  In total, Bartolinas collegiate athletes have earned 17 All-Southland Conference awards, six Southland Conference championships, 12 NCAA Regional Championship berths, three NCAA National Championship berths, and one All-America award. Bartolina is also one of the most sought after coaches in the professional track and field community, coaching at least one Olympian in the past three summer games and developing Estonian heptathlete Kristian Rahnu who claimed fourth place at the 2006 World Championships.  At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Bartolina was represented by male pole vaulter Jure Rovan of Slovenia as well as female pole vaulter Erica Bartolina of the United States. Bartolina holds USA Track and Field Level II coaching certifications in the jumps and multi-events.  After competing in the pole vault for the Oklahoma State track and field team, he completed both his BS and MA degrees at The University of Central Oklahoma.  A native of Edmund, Oklahoma, Bartolina is married to Erica (Boren) Bartolina. He has one son, Ethan (12).

Nikfar joins the Southeastern staff for the 2015-16 season. Nikfar, a member of the Iranian National team from 2003-14, competed in both the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China and the 2012 Games in London, England. He also competed on two World Championship teams and nine regional and continental championship squads. Nikfar is a nine-time Iranian national champion, a six-time Iranian national record holder and was an All-Pac-10 and All-Western Region while at the University of California-Berkeley. He won gold medals at the 2004 Indoor Asian Athletics Championships, the 2009 Asian Indoor Games and the 2010 West Asian Championships. Nikfar also finished fourth at the 2014 Asian Games and fifth at the 2010 Asian Games. In addition, received the 2003 Al Reagan Award as the most improved athlete at Cal and a Special Recognition Award from Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano in 2008. Nikfar coached throws for the Iranian National Team in August where he was the personal coach at the World Championships for Ehsan Hadadi, the 2011 World Champion and 2012 Olympic silver medalist in the mens discus. Nikfar was the throws/jumps/multis coach at the University of New Orleans from 2014-15. There, he coached Southland Conference heptathlon champion Farydah Inoussa and nine school-record holders in the womens high jump, long jump, pentathlon and heptathlon. Nikfar also coached throws at Saint Francis High School from February-June 2014. He was previously a volunteer assistant coach at Northern Arizona University from 2006-09 during which the school swept the mens cross country and indoor and outdoor Big Sky titles in 2009 and also won mens outdoor titles in 2007 and 08 and the womens indoor title in 2009. He started his coaching career as a volunteer assistant coach at Cal in 2006.

Chapoton, a U.S. Naval veteran, leads the Lions women & men middle distance and distance runners. Chapoton was added to the SLU staff in 2012, working under coach Brian Mondschein, who is now with Princeton. In his first two years at Southeastern, Chapoton coached two 1st Team All-Louisiana Cross-Country runners, and his womens cross-country teams have had the highest team GPA out of all 16 Division I level varsity teams.    During the 2014 outdoor season, Chapoton coached Alex Holden to the USATF Junior Nationals in Eugene Oregon (800m).  He also played a role in helping the mens team secure their second Southland Conference Outdoor title.   2012-13 marked Chaps' second season with the Lions - this time working with the jumps group, specifically the high jumpers.  While working with the high jumpers, Chaps coached a freshman jumper to a 1st place finish at the Southland Conference Outdoor Championships.    From 2009 to 2011, Chapoton shadowed Coach Watts of Norfolk State University, while serving in the United States Navy as an Information Systems Technician. He currently holds his USTFCCCA Jumps Specialist certification, as well as USATF Level 1, USTFCCCA Track & Field Technical Certification, CPR/First Aid, and USATF Official Apprentice. He is currently working towards a degree in Kinesiology, Fitness and Human Performance from Southeastern Louisiana University. He resides in Ponchatoula, LA with his wife, Julie.

Mistretta begins his first year as recruiting coordinator and assistant coach on the Southeastern staff.  From 2011-2014, Mistretta served as the athletic director and head track and field coach at Bishop Sullivan Catholic School in Virginia Beach, Virginia. During his time at BSCS, he led the men's track and field team to a Virginia Catholic Outdoor Track and Field State Championship in 2013.  Mistretta was the head coach of the track and field team, as well as the receivers coach for the football squad at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Hammond from 2009-2011. In 2010, he coached the women's squad to both indoor and outdoor state championships. Also during his time with the Falcons, he led the men's team to an outdoor state title in 2009.  For six years, Mistretta worked at Redemptorist High School in Baton Rouge. He served as the head track and field coach as well as the football receivers coach, where he was named All-Metro Track and Field Coach of the Year twice in a row (2006 & 2007).  Mistretta served as the student assistant coach at Southeastern Louisiana University from 1990-1991. He was also a member of the Lion track and field team from 1984-1987.  He holds a Bachelors of Business Administration from Mercer University (2002). He is currently working towards a Masters in Athletic Administration and Coaching from Concordia University.