8/30/2013 8:51:00 AM | Men's Cross Country, Men's Track and Field, Women's Cross Country, Women's Track and Field
Riverside—UC Riverside Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Irv Ray announced today that the team has hired Nate Wiens as its new associate head coach replacing seven-year assistant Andy Basler, who recently accepted a position as an assistant with Central Michigan. This is Wiens' second stint with the Highlanders as he previously served Coach Ray from 2005-07. Over the past five years, he has been the sprints and hurdles coach at Iowa State.
"We're delighted to welcome Coach Wiens back to the Highlanders family," said Ray. "He has a track record of success at every school he has coached, helping student-athletes reach their potential at the conference, NCAA and USA national levels.
"In addition, his experience at developing talent in a variety of events—particularly the horizontal jumps and the hurdles—along with his ability to develop a rapport with his student-athletes, will enhance our program and assist all of our returning student-athletes in achieving their goals."
Wiens first stint at UCR began in 2005, and during his two years with the Highlanders, the men's and women's 4x400 teams set school records, and the women's team won the 4x400 at the Big West Championship. The 4x100 teams also recorded the second-fastest times in school history, and UCR earned its then-highest finish in conference competition since moving up to Division I.Â
Also during that time, the Highlanders sent their first-ever sprint/hurdle qualifier to the NCAA West Regional final, and broke a combined eight indoor and outdoor school-relay records. Additionally, Wiens was privileged to see six individual school records broken in the sprints and hurdles.
Wiens also served as the meet director for UCR's cross country and open meets, as well as their first inaugural Inland Empire Coaching Clinic.
"I want to thank Jim Wooldridge and Coach Ray for the opportunity to re-join the staff at UC Riverside," said Wiens. "It is truly a blessing to be back at UCR, and I'm excited to come alongside their current efforts and continue the great work that has already been started.
"UC Riverside is a program with a strong team environment and a record of developing athletes to their fullest potential. With the returning student-athletes and the recruiting class Nate Browne has secured for 2013-2014, I'm looking forward to getting to work with our athletes, and I'm expecting another record breaking year with the Highlander Track and Field and Cross Country programs!"
From 2009-2013, Wiens guided Iowa State to increasingly stronger performances, as nine school records were set in the sprints and hurdles, and 15 performances ranked on the school's top three all-time lists. Over 40 student-athletes achieved regional and national qualifying marks, with six earning All-America status. Wiens' athletes were also named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District team, as well as a third-team Academic All-American for their efforts in the classroom.
Before his first stint at UCR, Wiens coached at Nebraska-Kearney as sprints, hurdles, relays, and multi-events coach. In two seasons there, his athletes earned 66 all-conference honors including 18 individual conference champions. His event group (sprints, hurdles, relays, jumps, multi-events) set 24 school records, while six of Wiens' athletes earned RMAC Student-Athletes of the Year and nine became All-Americans on the track.
In the 2004 and 2005 Division II NCAA power rankings, the Loper men's and women's teams placed in the top 15 seven times with three placing in the top four or higher. Wiens served as the Loper Track and Field Summer Camp coordinator, and taught the annual indoor track and field coaching clinic while teaching courses in the health and physical education department.
During the 2002 and 2003 seasons, Wiens coached at Missouri-Kansas City, and served as the multi-events and throws coach while assisting with sprints and jumps. The Kangaroos had nine all-conference athletes in the multi-events, pole vault and throws; two conference champions; one regional qualifier; and broke four school records during his two seasons at UMKC.
He also completed a master's degree in higher education administration with an emphasis in sports management while teaching courses in the HPER department.
Wiens is a 2000 graduate of Mid-America Nazarene College, earning all-conference honors in the pentathlon, high jump, triple jump, and javelin. He majored in physical education and health with a minor in business.Â
He was an NAIA indoor national qualifier in the pentathlon and high jump, and an outdoor national qualifier in the decathlon, high jump, and javelin. He also won the NCCAA national championship in the decathlon, and gained All-American honors in the high jump, javelin, and triple jump.
