Athletics > Women's Cross Country > Coaching staff

PaulsenDavid Paulsen
Head coach

David Paulsen is in his first season as head men's and women's cross country coach at Central.

A former Northern Iowa track and field All-America runner, Paulsen also serves as assistant coach for distance events in men's and women's track and field.

A U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier in the 800 meters in 2004, Paulsen was also a two-time USATF indoor national meet qualifier. Prior to graduating in 2003, Paulsen was a two-time NCAA Division I meet qualifier, earning all-America distinction in 2002. He was an eight-time all-Missouri Valley Conference performer.

For the past three years Paulsen has served as a volunteer coach for Northern Iowa 's cross country and track and field programs. He received a master's degree in exercise science at Northern Iowa where he's also been the sport performance coach for the XL Sports Acceleration Program, a joint venture between the university and Cedar Valley Medical Specialists. Among his responsibilities was designing and implementing speed and agility programs for the Panther teams, including the football and men's basketball squads, both of which were NCAA tournament qualifiers last year.

“I'm just excited to become a part of the Central family and the school's rich athletic and academic tradition,” said Paulsen. “I'm going to do everything I can to help the runners improve and build on the success the program has had. Our goal is going to be to win the Iowa Conference championship.”

A Waverly native, Paulsen followed two older brothers to Central. Matt Paulsen is on the Central staff, having just completed his ninth season as an assistant coach for the football squad. He's a 1997 Central graduate and earned all-America distinction as a defensive back. Andrew Paulsen, a 1998 Central graduate, received all-America honors in both football and track and field.

To contact David Paulsen
Phone: (641) 628-5178
E-mail: paulsend@central.edu

\FyfeStephen Fyfe
Assistant coach

Stephen Fyfe is in his ninth season as assistant men's and women's cross country coach at Central. He's also an assistant for the men's and women's track and field squads. A 1987 Central graduate, Fyfe earned three varsity letters in cross country and four in track and field. He continues to compete in road races on the masters level and has completed 12 marathons. Fyfe received his masters and doctoral degrees at Iowa State University and serves as an associate professor of computer science at Central.

Phone: (641) 628-5305
E-mail: fyfes@central.edu

Jay RhotenJay Rhoten
Assistant coach

Former all-American decathlete Jay Rhoten is in his second season as assistant men's and women's cross country coach at Central.

Rhoten, a 1998 Central graduate, is also in his fourth year as an assistant track and field coach for the Dutch.

A two-time Iowa Conference men's track and field MVP, Rhoten swept the 1998 NCAA Div. III Central Region men's indoor and outdoor track and field athlete of the year awards presented by the U.S. Track and Field Coaches Association. He placed second in the NCAA Division III decathlon in 1998 after finishing sixth the previous year. He was fourth in the 1998 Drake Relays decathlon, and second among university and college competitors. Also a three-time team MVP and a team captain, Rhoten placed in five events at the 1998 Iowa Conference meet as the Dutch took the men's team title for the third time in his four seasons.

E-mail: rhotenj@central.edu