MariellaVirgillito

This year, for the first time in Marian’s history, track and field has six coaches. One of the six coaches, sprint coach Nick Harris, brings seven years of coaching experience and a passion for empowering athletes beyond the track.

Coach Harris just just moved to Nebraska from Colorado this past August. “This is my first year at Marian, but I have been coaching track for 7 years,” Harris said. 

His role as the sprint and sprint relays coach extends beyond the technical aspects of the sport. He sees himself as a catalyst for personal growth in the athletes, emphasizing discipline, resilience, and teamwork. “Not everyone wins the genetic lottery, but everyone is capable of improving. Learning to measure your success based on self-growth is an invaluable lifelong skill that can be well-learned through track and field,” Harris said.

Transitioning from Colorado to Nebraska has had many learning curves for Harris. “Not necessarily a challenge, but definitely something that has been interesting to me is the way track and field works in Nebraska vs Colorado,” Harris said. The differences in events, their order, and the state qualification process have kept him on his toes. 

Yet, amidst the adjustments, Harris finds the most rewarding aspect of the season lies in building relationships with both coaches and athletes. “I love joking around or hyping up an athlete prior to their event, watching them tear it up, and then debriefing with a coach about how awesome their performance was to witness. I’m really into the science and numbers of track and field, but the relationships are what make it eternally invigorating,” Harris said.

The recent Bellevue meet was a highlight for the Marian squad, particularly for Harris and his athletes. “It was awesome! One of the highlights of the season thus far was seeing the smiles on the girls’ faces when they realized we won,” he exclaimed. Victories like these not only celebrate athletic prowess but also strengthen the bonds within the team.

Another noteworthy development this season is the unveiling of Marian’s new track, which is exciting for both coaches and athletes. “The new track is fantastic!” Harris exclaimed. His analytical approach extends even to the track itself, where he measures its energy return, noting that Marian’s track boasts a 36% energy return, ranking it among the best in Omaha.

As the season progresses, Harris looks ahead with optimism, celebrating the achievements of his athletes. Caitie Slattery’s commitment for cross country and track and field at Regis University next fall marks another milestone. The accomplishments of the athletes highlight the dedication and talent within Marian’s track and field program. 

On May 1 and 2, Marian competed in the Metro Conference Meet and finished 12th out of the 21 teams in the Conference. Their eyes are set on upcoming competitions like District A-1 Meet on May 7, Harris and the team are poised to continue their journey of growth, resilience and success on and off the track.