Co-head coach: Jane Wheeler
Hometown: Traer, IA
School: North Tama HS; Luther College (BA); Western Illinois University (MA)
Athletic highlights: 1997 1A State cross-country champion; 1997 1A state runner-up in the 1500 and 3000m events at Iowa state meet; 3 time National Qualifier in DIII Cross Country at Luther College; Member of 2000 3rd Place Team @ DIII National Cross Country; 2-time National Qualifier in DIII Track; 2001 IIAC Champion in 10K
Coaching Highlights:
CROSS COUNTRY: Named MAC Coach of the Year in 2005, and 2007 through 2013. Led her varsity squad to ten consecutive MAC team titles from 2005-2014 and most recent back-to-back conference titles in 2017 and 2018. Has coached her team to 14 consecutive state meet appearances, including 3rd place finishes in 2011 and 2013, state champions in 2012, and most a runner-up finish in 2015. Has coached 12 all-state athletes, including 2013 and 2015 individual state champion, McKenzie Yanek. Served as a volunteer assistant at Iowa City High in 2002 when the team won the state title. Named Class 4A State Coach of the Year in 2012 and At-Large Class 4A State Coach of the Year in 2013 and 2015.
TRACK & FIELD: Served 3 years as junior high track coach, 1 year as high school varsity assistant track coach, and just completed her 11th year as head track and field coach in 2018. Named 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019 MAC Coach of the Year and led team to conference and district titles from 2009-2013, and 2015-2019. Works primarily with middle distance and distance runners and shares co-head coaching duties with husband, Kenny Wheeler. Guided McKenzie Yanek to a 2016 Drake Relays title in the 3000m and a runner-up finish and school record in the same event at the 2016 State meet. Has had tremendous success with the distance group guiding a total of 38 individual qualifiers and ten 4 x 800m relay teams to the state meet since 2009.
Led team to a runner-up team finish at the state meet in 2013, a Class 4A team state championship in 2015, and another state runner-up finish in 2016. Named IATC Class 4A At-Large Coach of the Year in 2013 and 2016 and IATC Class 4A Coach of the Year for the 2014 and 2015 seasons. Was named recipient of high school state coach of the year for Iowa by US Track & Field and Cross Country Association (USTFCCCA) in 2015 and selected as the All-Iowa Girls' Track Coach of the Year by the Des Moines Register in 2016. Jane is a USATF Level I Certified Coach.
School: North Tama HS; Luther College (BA); Western Illinois University (MA)
Athletic highlights: 1997 1A State cross-country champion; 1997 1A state runner-up in the 1500 and 3000m events at Iowa state meet; 3 time National Qualifier in DIII Cross Country at Luther College; Member of 2000 3rd Place Team @ DIII National Cross Country; 2-time National Qualifier in DIII Track; 2001 IIAC Champion in 10K
Coaching Highlights:
CROSS COUNTRY: Named MAC Coach of the Year in 2005, and 2007 through 2013. Led her varsity squad to ten consecutive MAC team titles from 2005-2014 and most recent back-to-back conference titles in 2017 and 2018. Has coached her team to 14 consecutive state meet appearances, including 3rd place finishes in 2011 and 2013, state champions in 2012, and most a runner-up finish in 2015. Has coached 12 all-state athletes, including 2013 and 2015 individual state champion, McKenzie Yanek. Served as a volunteer assistant at Iowa City High in 2002 when the team won the state title. Named Class 4A State Coach of the Year in 2012 and At-Large Class 4A State Coach of the Year in 2013 and 2015.
TRACK & FIELD: Served 3 years as junior high track coach, 1 year as high school varsity assistant track coach, and just completed her 11th year as head track and field coach in 2018. Named 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019 MAC Coach of the Year and led team to conference and district titles from 2009-2013, and 2015-2019. Works primarily with middle distance and distance runners and shares co-head coaching duties with husband, Kenny Wheeler. Guided McKenzie Yanek to a 2016 Drake Relays title in the 3000m and a runner-up finish and school record in the same event at the 2016 State meet. Has had tremendous success with the distance group guiding a total of 38 individual qualifiers and ten 4 x 800m relay teams to the state meet since 2009.
Led team to a runner-up team finish at the state meet in 2013, a Class 4A team state championship in 2015, and another state runner-up finish in 2016. Named IATC Class 4A At-Large Coach of the Year in 2013 and 2016 and IATC Class 4A Coach of the Year for the 2014 and 2015 seasons. Was named recipient of high school state coach of the year for Iowa by US Track & Field and Cross Country Association (USTFCCCA) in 2015 and selected as the All-Iowa Girls' Track Coach of the Year by the Des Moines Register in 2016. Jane is a USATF Level I Certified Coach.