The Simpson College track and field team will not only be running on a new track this upcoming season, but it will also be running under the direction of a new head coach.

Tim Byers comes to Simpson College after serving two years at Wartburg College as the assistant track and cross-country coach. Byers replaces Keith Ellingson who resigned last season.

While at Wartburg College, Byers helped guide the women’s track and field team to back-to-back Iowa Conference titles. Working primarily with field events, Byers directed freshman Dia Dohlman to the 2001 NCAA Division III National Championship in the javelin where she set a NCAA National Meet Record.

Because Byers was not hired until late May last year, there was little time for him and his coaching staff to recruit athletes.

“I only have one recruit here that I actually recruited. But I have seen everyone on the Simpson team compete for the last two years because I was at Wartburg, so I know what they are capable of,” said Byers.

Byers has coached 25 NCAA participants, eight NAIA national qualifiers and two NCAA All-Americans during his career.

Byers has also served as an assistant coach at Park College in Missouri and at UW-Lacrosse in Wisconsin.

Since his arrival on campus, Byers feels fortunate for what Simpson has offered him thus far.

“All the coaches here are close and supportive. That is really important since we are dealing with a lot of two sport athletes. The other coaches have also helped by telling me who would be good for the program,” said Byers.

All four of Byers assistants come to the Storm program with NCAA national experience as athletes and or as coaches.

Erin Bresnan, who is the head cross-country coach here at Simpson, will work mainly with the middle distant and distant runners. Brock Bedwell, who is returning for his third year with the Storm, will work primarily with the sprinters, hurdlers and multi-event athletes.

Also joining the staff this season will be Wartburg graduates Joel Rochford and Jenni Donahue.

The Storm will open their indoor season this Saturday at Buena Vista and their outdoor season will begin in the middle of March.