As the spring sports season approaches, excitement is building around the Pahrump Valley High School track and field program, where Head Coach Dan Nagle believes a strong returning core, experienced leadership, and program stability have positioned the Trojans for a promising year ahead.
Coming off a successful 2025 season that saw approximately 20 athletes qualify for the state meet, the Trojans return the overwhelming majority of that experience to the track this spring. According to Nagle, nearly all of last year’s state qualifiers are back, giving the team both depth and confidence as competition begins.
“We took around 20 kids to state last year,” Nagle said. “And I think about 16 or 17 of those are returning, so we’ve got solid teams coming back.”
That continuity starts with a strong senior class that Nagle expects to lead both competitively and culturally throughout the season. Among the key returning seniors are Jules Ondrisko, Ben De Santiago, Aydon Veloz, Jace Wulfenstein, Savannah Thompson and Diona Nixon, a group the coach describes as one of the program’s strengths heading into the year.
“We have a really strong senior class this year,” Nagle said. “Those athletes are going to be big leaders for us.”
Leadership will extend across multiple event groups, including the throwing events, where senior Brenden Thorn has quietly put in significant offseason work. Nagle noted that Thorn has been training consistently and is already posting encouraging marks early in the preseason. The throwers will also benefit from an influx of young talent, with several freshmen expected to contribute immediately.
The jumping events also look especially promising for the Trojans. Aydon Veloz and Jayden Crisler return as key contributors on the boys’ side, while Junior Rosie Miller enters the season with significant momentum after capturing a regional championship in the high jump last year. Nagle believes Miller’s success is only the beginning.
“She was regional champion last year, and we have high hopes for her,” he said. “Big things.”
While individual talent stands out, Nagle emphasized that one of the program’s biggest advantages this season may be stability within the coaching staff. After several years of transitions, the entire coaching team returns intact for the first time in recent memory.
“All the coaches we have are returning from last year,” Nagle said. “I think I have a great staff. It’s the first year we’ve had everybody returning, and that continuity really helps.”
The team is also benefiting from improvements at home, as athletes prepare to return to the PVHS track following recent painting and maintenance. Nagle confirmed the team expects to begin practicing on the freshly updated surface immediately, allowing athletes to fully settle into their training routines.
Competition begins soon, with the Trojans opening their season at the Faith Lutheran Invitational on February 28.
The schedule also includes several opportunities for the Pahrump community to watch the team compete at home. PVHS will host three meets this season — two in March and one in April — before welcoming one of the biggest events of the year: the regional championships.
Hosting regionals on their home track is a milestone the program is eager to embrace.
“It seems like a great place to win regionals… at home,” Nagle said. “Hopefully we can pull that off.”
In addition to local competition, the Trojans will also travel out of state during spring break for the Ocean View Invitational in Huntington Beach, California. Beyond competition, Nagle views the trip as an important opportunity for athletes to bond and strengthen team chemistry.
“I’m hoping it’s a team-building thing,” he said.
As the season approaches, fundraising efforts will once again include the team’s traditional Aktivate fundraiser, with Nagle adding that community support remains vital to helping the program continue to grow and provide opportunities for student-athletes.
With experienced athletes returning, promising newcomers entering the program, and a fully intact coaching staff guiding the way, expectations are high inside the Trojan track program — and Nagle isn’t shying away from that reality.
“We have high expectations,” he said. “And I’m going to let the kids know that.”
For a team built on experience, leadership, and momentum, the 2026 season represents more than just another year on the track — it’s an opportunity to build on recent success and chase even bigger goals, right at home.
