Pahrump Valley High School’s Track and Field team is gearing up for another exciting season under the leadership of Head Coach Dan Nagle. With a passion for coaching and a deep commitment to building a hardworking and disciplined team, Nagle has been shaping young athletes since he took over as head coach in 2023. His journey into coaching track and field, however, didn’t start in the traditional way.
Nagle’s introduction to the sport came through his son, who decided to run track in high school. As a supportive father, he found himself offering unofficial guidance and motivation, despite not having a personal background in competitive track. His own running experience was primarily tied to military boot camp, where he had to meet specific mile time requirements. Though those times wouldn’t have won him any high school races, they laid the foundation for his understanding of endurance and discipline.
His official coaching journey began in 1995 with his son’s soccer team. Over the years, he expanded his coaching repertoire, working with teams in volleyball, soccer, football, and flag football before finally making his way into high school coaching in 2018. Initially brought on as the jumps coach for Pahrump Valley High School’s Track and Field team, he remained in that position until 2023, when he stepped into the head coaching role. Now entering his third year as head coach, Nagle is dedicated to fostering both physical and mental growth among his athletes.
At the core of Nagle’s coaching philosophy is a simple yet powerful belief: his team will be the hardest-working and best-behaved group on the field. He emphasizes repetition and technical precision in every aspect of training, from warm-ups to workouts to cool-downs. His approach is designed to instill discipline and consistency, ensuring that each athlete reaches their full potential.
The coaching staff for the 2025 season is a strong mix of experience and new energy. Coach Thongstisubskul (Coach T), who has been with Nagle the longest, is the team’s throws coach. Both she and Nagle previously served as assistants under Coach Schmidt, bringing years of collaborative experience to the program. Coach Frank Richardson serves as the jumps coach and boasts an extensive coaching background, along with his own experience as a former Division I athlete. Pole vault Coach Marshira Nelson, a former PVHS track athlete, provides specialized expertise in her event.
New additions to the coaching team include Coach Erik Odegard and Coach Bryce Odegard. Coach (Erik) Odegard, previously a middle school track coach and PVHS Cross Country coach, has years of experience developing young runners and will be working with distance athletes. Coach Bryce (Odegard), a former PVHS track star, school record holder, region record holder and state champion, will take on the sprints coaching duties, bringing firsthand knowledge of what it takes to excel at the high school level. Together, the coaching staff works as a unit, ensuring that each athlete is placed in the event that best suits their strengths, with multiple coaches observing technique and providing feedback.
Every year brings changes to training methods, and 2025 is no exception. Coach Nagle constantly evolves as a coach, incorporating new knowledge from clinics and past experiences to refine the program. The introduction of Coach Bryce has influenced a shift in focus toward explosive power training, balancing out the conditioning-heavy approach of previous seasons. This adjustment aims to maximize speed and strength while maintaining endurance.
As for standout athletes, Nagle has high expectations for several returning competitors. Seniors Sasha Strain and Antonio Veloz have been putting in significant effort during the offseason, and Coach Nagle is eager to see their dedication translate into results. Junior Ben De Santiago is another athlete to watch, as he is on track to break the school’s 400-meter record. Julianna Ondrisko, a junior who played a crucial role in last year’s relay teams, will be transitioning to more individual events, where Coach Nagle believes she will make a major impact. Additionally, senior Hunter Mellinger is showing promise in the throwing events and could surprise many with his performances.
While the team does not have officially designated captains, leadership naturally emerges among the senior athletes. Strain, Veloz, and Mellinger have stepped up as mentors for younger teammates, setting an example with their work ethic and commitment. Their influence will be key in guiding a relatively young team through the season.
Offseason training has already yielded significant improvements, particularly from Strain and Veloz, who spent the most time preparing for the season. As for newcomers, it’s still too early to determine standouts, though Coach Nagle acknowledges that the program has brought in a large number of promising freshmen.
Transitioning younger athletes into high school track and field is a priority for Coach Nagle and his staff. His approach is to encourage newcomers to experiment with different events before committing to specific disciplines. By making competition enjoyable, the coaching staff ensures that new athletes feel comfortable and motivated to improve.
One of the strengths of the PVHS Track and Field program is its ability to attract multi-sport athletes. Track serves as a complementary sport to many other athletic programs, drawing competitors from football, soccer, and other disciplines. This influx of versatile athletes brings a unique dynamic to the team and contributes to a well-rounded roster.
Despite predictions that this will be a rebuilding year based on individual rankings, Coach Nagle has set an ambitious goal for the team: to win the regional championship. The season’s schedule includes two home meets, providing an advantage in familiar surroundings. Additionally, the small schools invitational later in the season will serve as a key indicator of the team’s overall progress.
The biggest challenge this year will be the team’s youth. While there are experienced seniors leading the way, a significant portion of the roster is composed of underclassmen who are still developing their skills. However, Coach Nagle sees this as an opportunity rather than a setback. With the right training and mindset, the team has the potential to exceed expectations.
Keeping athletes motivated throughout the long season is another key focus. This year, Coach Nagle is emphasizing fun and friendly competition within the team. He has introduced internal contests, such as relay races with sled-pushing, to encourage athletes to challenge each other while maintaining a positive and energetic atmosphere.
As the team prepares for competition, Nagle has adopted a new mantra inspired by the movie Unstoppable, which tells the story of a one-legged wrestler at Arizona State University. In the film, Don Cheadle’s character states, “Ain’t nothing to it but to do it.” This phrase has become a rallying cry for the team, embodying the mindset needed to push through challenges and reach their goals.
With a dedicated coaching staff, talented returning athletes, and a promising group of newcomers, the PVHS Track and Field team is poised for an exciting season. While the journey may present obstacles, Coach Nagle’s leadership and emphasis on hard work, discipline, and enjoyment of the sport will undoubtedly shape the team’s success in 2025.
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