December 1, 2006
Release courtesy of Larry Happel, Central College sports information director

PELLA, IOWA . . . Former Northern Iowa track and field All-America runner David Paulsen has been named head men’s and women’s cross country coach at Central College.

Paulsen will also serve as assistant coach for distance events in men’s and women’s track and field. He replaces Jeff Bovee, who resigned to become cross country coach at Illinois State University.

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.

“We’re excited about David joining the Central program,” said athletics director Al Dorenkamp. “David will work hard and use the strong resources we have here to take our cross country teams to new heights.”

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.”

Paulsen inherits a program which this season produced NCAA Division III national qualifiers in both the men’s and women’s division for the first time ever. Senior Adam Wolf (Corning) and freshman Angie Berry (Indianola) competed at the NCAA meet in West Chester, Ohio Nov. 18.

A Waverly native, Paulsen follows 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.

“David brings a lot of knowledge of Central College and we know he has a strong work ethic,” Dorenkamp said. “He and his wife Dee will fit well in our campus community."

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