May 20, 2007

Pocatello, ID --- Idaho State's Dave Nielsen was honored by his fellow conference coaches as the Big Sky Outdoor Track and Field Coach of the Year in women's outdoor track after leading the Bengals to their first ever women's conference championship. Northern Arizona's J.A. Hardy was the men's outdoor track Coach of the Year.

Nielsen earned the women's award after leading the Bengals to their first-ever Big Sky track and field championship title. Nielsen garners Coach of the Year honors for the fourth time in his 23 years at the helm of the Idaho State track and field program, but first onthe women's side, having previously won three other Coach of the Year honors, all in men's indoor track.

Idaho State edged out Weber State by seven and a half points to take home the conference crown, with a total score of 140.5. The Bengals won the title in the 800-meters and the 4x100 meter relay. Melissa McLimore claimed gold in the 800-meters, with a time of 2:10.05. The relay team, consisting of Audra Smith, Jessica Johnson, Tiffany Andersen and Brittany Rozier finished with a time of 46.11.The Bengals also notched five silver and three bronze medals.

Nielsen, a graduate of the University of Iowa, was named the Idaho State men's and women's head coach in 1985. He has coached 20 All-Americans during his tenure, including 11 in the last four years. Under Nielsen, forty-five athletes have advanced to the NCAA Championships, 133 have won Big Sky titles and 328 have earned all-conference recognition.