Fort Calhoun High School Activities Director Jamie Schleifer confirmed the hiring of two new track and field coaches Tuesday afternoon.
Ashlie Nelson will lead the girls' team in 2026, while Hunter Thomas will lead the boys. Both new hirees have coaching experience in Fort Calhoun and were already school employees. Nelson teaches science, while Thomas teaches physical education.
The new coaches replace Mandy Taylor, who led the program for seven seasons after coach Brad Hatcher's last in 2018. She will continue to lead the softball program, which earned its first-ever state qualification last fall.
Taylor's recently-graduated daughters, Anna and Kaylee, signed to compete in spring sports at the college level next school year. Anna celebrated signing with Morningside University (Iowa) softball last fall, while Kaylee is set to join the Nebraska Wesleyan track and field team in Lincoln.
