Creal to Head Up Return of Iowa Wesleyan Track and Field

Iowa Wesleyan has named Chris Creal as the Head Cross Country and Track and Field, which was announced today by Derek Zander, Director of Athletics at IW.  The addition of track and field is another key piece of the Athletic Department's Strategic Vision, "Committing to Excellence."

"I am very humbled that the University has put its trust in me to start not only the cross country program but the track and field program as well. I look forward to building and strengthening Iowa Wesleyan's competitive spirit with quality student-athletes," said Chris Creal.

Creal, who served as the head men's and women's cross country coach this fall, will continue his role with the cross country programs. He will also be charged with relaunching the track and field programs at Iowa Wesleyan. Creal is no stranger to the dual role of the track and field and cross country world.  Prior to joining Iowa Wesleyan, he served as the head men's cross country and track and field coach and assistant women's cross country and track and field coach at St. Gregory's University in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

"We are excited to have Chris in this position and believe he will be a great asset for the University. He did a great job of getting our Cross Country programs up and running, and I look forward to his leadership of our Track and Field program as we prepare for competition in the spring of 2020," said Zander.

This fall, Creal coached IW freshman, Sierra Howardson, to a SLIAC First Team All-Conference honors and had nearly every member of both the men's and women's cross country teams set personal bests throughout the season.

Under his direction at St. Gregory's, Creal coached three individuals to Track and Field National Qualifiers. Fourteen school records were broken by members of his track and field teams, and eight individuals received Daktronics-NAIA Track and Field Scholar-Athlete honors.

A native of Omaha, Nebraska, Creal received his United States Track and Field Level 1 certification in 2012.  Creal was a member of the cross country and track and field teams at Dana College and earned Daktronics-Track and Field Scholar-Athlete in 2010 and Daktronics-NAIA Cross Country Scholar-Athlete in 2009 and 2010.  After Dana College merged with Midland University, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Sports and Fitness Management Concentration) in May of 2011. Creal received his Master of Arts in Educational Policy and Administration from Dakota Wesleyan University in 2013.

Tiger Athletics: Iowa Wesleyan University strives to provide its student-athletes the opportunity to be successful in life and sports. Engaged in the SLIAC and UMAC Conferences, Tiger athletics is a proud member of NCAA Division III.

STORY COURTESY OF IOWA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION