University of Charleston Athletics

Nick Bias enters his 12th year as the Head Cross Country and Track & Field coach after being hired in January of 2014. He has developed the Golden Eagles into a perennial power house program both in the Mountain East Conference and nationally.

Bias' eleventh year saw the program keep achieving excellence as they won four more MEC team championships-Men & Women Indoor & Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Men's Cross Country qualified for their sixth consecutive NCAA championship and finishing 28th at Nationals. Beth Sykes qualified individually and placed 84th overall. Sam Idiens earned his second All-American honor by placing 3rd in the 800m NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships. Timber Huysmans also earned All-American honors by placing 10th in the 200 meters race. Abby McKinney qualified in the women's weight throw for nationals and placed 17th overall. Sam Idiens and Beth Sykes both earned MEC Indoor Track Athletes of the Year awards while Laura Delgado de Torres won the MEC Field Athlete of the Year honors.  Outdoor season brought more success at Brooke Burns earned MEC Field Athlete of the Year for outdoor track while Beth Sykes repeated as MEC Track Athlete of the Year.  Brooke Burns qualified for nationals in the hammer throw where she placed 17th overall and broke school records in the discus and hammer throw. Iggy Chalker earned All-American honors in the 10,000m race at Nationals when he raced to a 15th place finish. 

Bias' tenth year at the helm saw his programs win 8 team championships, The Triple Crown(6 MEC Championships) and produce 3 All-Americans. They won MEC championships in Men and Women's Cross Country, Indoor & Outdoor Track Field. They also won Atlantic Region championships in cross country for both the men and women's programs. The men's cross country team finished 15th at NCAA's and the women's team finished 29th overall. George Couttie earned 1st team All-American Honors for the Mile in Indoor Track & Field. The Distance Medley Relay Team consisting of Idiens, Hunkele, Thiel, and Couttie also earned All-American honors. In outdoor season-Sam Idiens raced to a 3rd place finish in the 800m run to earn All-American honors. Kellen Tropeck also earned All-American honors in the Shot Put by earning 10th place. Idiens also earned Atlantic Region Track Athlete of the Year honors for Outdoor Track & Field. 

Bias' ninth year as Head Coach saw great success for the 2022 Men and Women’s Cross Country Teams. The men went on to secure both MEC Conference and NCAA Regional Championship titles, while also receiving six MEC First-Team honors and seven All-Region First-Team honors. At the NCAA Championships, the Men’s Cross Country Team finished in a program best 8th place with senior Joao Pereira (21st) and sophomore Thomas Termote (33rd) earning All-American honors. The Women’s Cross Country Team also performed excellent in the 2022 season, as they were crowned MEC Conference Champions with a record score of 18 points. The women went on to win the NCAA Atlantic Region, qualifying them for the NCAA Championships where they finished in a program best 15th place. Elise Leveel earned All-American honors by her impressive (18th) individual finish. In total, they had six student-athletes receive both MEC First-Team honors and All-Region honors. Impressively, Altogether, the Men and Women’s Cross Country Teams had twelve NCAA Academic All-Americans.

Like the Cross Country teams, the Men and Women’s Track and Field Teams had another successful season under Coach Bias. In total, the men and women secured three 2023 MEC Conference Championship titles along with several Individual Championship titles. In sum, Coach Bias had three student-athletes receive MEC Top Honors. For Men’s Track and Field, Matthys Bourse was named the Indoor MEC Freshman of the year and Mathias Mees was named the Outdoor MEC Freshman of the Year. Mees also earned Most Valuable Performer for the Outdoor championships by scoring the most points of any individual-29 points. Kellen Tropeck was named MEC Field Athlete of the Year for both the indoor and outdoor championships. Charleston Women’s Track and Field newcomer, Julie LaFare secured the Women’s MEC Freshman of the Year title in both Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field. Louanne Pouzancre was named the Women’s MEC Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year. The Men & Women’s Track & Field Teams also had twelve NCAA Academic All-Americans.

The Van, West Virginia native received his Bachelor’s degree from Concord University in 2006. While at Concord, he was a scoring member of the 2004 WVIAC Cross Country Championship team as well as being a conference standout in the 10k. In 2006, the WVIAC recognized Nick Bias as the Scholar Athlete-of-the-Year. After turning his tassel, Bias received his Master’s degree in Education from Marshall University in 2011.

Bias is active in the running community, completing 21 marathons (Boston six times) and winning numerous local races including 12 top 10 finishes at the Charleston Distance Run 15 Miler. In the fall of 2017, Bias won the Marshall half-marathon. Bias’ personal best time in the marathon is 2:42.17, and his personal best time in the half marathon is 1:16.40. He also coached former Charleston All-American Jack Mastandrea who recently qualified for the US Men’s Olympic Marathon Trials in 2024. Jack ran a 2:15 qualifying time. Currently, Bias resides in Charleston where he lives with his wife Brooke, sons Tanner and Cameron, and dog Oscar.

Total Championships-36
Men-22(10-XC, 12-Track & Field)
Women-14(6-XC, 8-Track & Field)
 
Mountain East Conference XC Championships-10
Men-2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Women-2020, 2021, 2022, 2023

Atlantic Region XC Championships-7
Men-2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023
Women-2022, 2023

Mountain East Conference Track & Field Championships-19
Men-2018(Outdoor), 2019(Outdoor), 2020(Indoor), 2021(Outdoor), 2022(Indoor), 2022(Outdoor), 2023(Outdoor), 2024 (Indoor), 2024(Outdoor), 2025(Indoor), 2025(Outdoor)
Women-2022(Indoor), 2022(Outdoor), 2023(Indoor), 2023 (Outdoor),  2024 (Indoor), 2024 (Outdoor), 2025 (Indoor), 2025 (Outdoor) 

NCAA Cross Country Championship Appearances/Finishes
Men
2018-22nd
2019-18th
2021-14th
2022- 8th
2023- 15th
2024-28th 
Women
2021- 29th
2022- 15th
2023- 29th

Coach of the Year Honors-33
Atlantic Region Cross Country
Men-2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023
Women-2022, 2023

Mountain East Conference Cross Country
Men-2018, 2019 ,2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Women-2020, 2021, 2022, 2023

Mountain East Conference Track & Field
Men-2018(Outdoor), 2019(Outdoor), 2020(Indoor), 2021(Outdoor), 2022(Indoor), 2022(Outdoor), 2023(Outdoor), 2024(Indoor), 2024(Outdoor), 2025 (Indoor), 2025 (Outdoor)
Women-2022(Indoor), 2022(Outdoor), 2023(Indoor), 2023 (Outdoor), 2024 (Indoor), 2025 (Outdoor) 

All-Americans-15
Jack Mastandrea-Cross Country-2018, Track & Field-Outdoor-(10,000m)-2019, 2021 Track & Field-Indoor-(5,000m)-2020
Aaron Banks-Track & Field-Indoor-(60m)-2020
Joao Pereira-Cross Country-2021, 2022
Thomas Termote-Cross Country-2022
Elise Leveel-Cross Country-2022
George Couttie-Track & Field-Mile (Indoor, 8th Place), 2024
Distance Medley Relay-2024-Sam Idiens, George Couttie, Warren Thiel, Colin Hunkele (10th Place)
Kellen Tropeck- Track & Field-Shot Put (Outdoor, 10th Place)-2024
Sam Idiens-Track & Field-800m (Outdoor, 3rd)-2024, 800m (Indoor-3rd)-2025
Timber Huysmans-200m (Indoor, 10th)-2025
Iggy Chalker-Track & Field-10,000m (Outdoor, 15th Place)-2025


MEC Triple Crown Championships (Cross Country, Indoor Track & Field, Outdoor Track & Field)
Men-(3)-2019-2020, 2021-2022, 2023-2024
Women-(3)-2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024

National Qualifiers
2024-Indoor-Timber Huysmans-200m (13th place)
2024-Outdoor-Warren Thiel-800m (15th place)
2024-Julie LaFare-10,000m
2025-Indoor-Abby McKinney-Weight Throw (17th place
2025-Brooke Burns-Hammer Throw (17th place)

1st Team All-Region Athletes-133
Cross Country-Men-25
Cross Country-Women-13
Track & Field-Men-57
Track & Field-Women-40
Men-82-Combined
Women-51-Combined

1st Team All-MEC Cross Country Athletes-69
Men-44
Keith Charette-2014
Kevin Charette-2015, 2016
Jake Casto-2015, 2017
Max Allen-2016
David Cecchi-2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Hunter Riffle-2017, 2018
Jack Mastandrea-2018, 2019
Job Ijstma-2018
Liam Mumford-2018
Sergio Garrido-2018
Kyle Hinson-2019, 2020, 2021
Connor Kaufman-2019, 2020
Alex Kitony-2019
Steve Korir-2019
Matthew Forrester-2020, 2021
Casey Ellis-2021
Thomas Termote-2021, 2022
Noah Revels-2021
Joao Pereira-2022
Alex Abellaneda-2022
Iggy Chalker-2022, 2023, 2024
Emmanuel Yego-2022
Matthys Bourse-2022, 2023
George Couttie- 2023
Corey Schobelock- 2023, 2024
Sam Idiens- 2023, 2024
 
Women-25
Kelly Whittaker-2017
Kasey McNamara-2018, 2019, 2020
Olivia Underwood-2018
Denise Ruiz-2018
Lily Dowdell-2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Mercy Jepleting-2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Lena Kaster-2020
Elise Leveel-2021, 2022
Madison Woolwine-2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Julie LaFare- 2022, 2023
Flora Tissier-2022
Beth Sykes-2024

Atlantic Region Athlete of the Year-6
Jack Mastandrea-Cross Country-2019
Elise Leveel-Cross Country-2021
Nathan Stout-Track & Field-Outdoor-2021(Field Athlete of the Year)
George Couttie-Cross Country-2023
Sam Idiens-Track & Field-2024-Outdoor-(Track Athlete of the Year)
Laura Delgado de Torres-Track & Field-Indoor-2025-(Field Athlete of the Year)

MEC Most Valuable Performer(Most Points Scored)-Track & Field-7
Kelly Whittaker-2018 (Outdoor)
Nathan Stout-2021 (Outdoor) 
Thomas Termote-2023 (Indoor)
Mathias Mees-2023 (Outdoor)
Bram DeRaedt-2024 (Indoor)
Kellen Tropeck-2024 (Outdoor)
Laura Delgado de Torres-2025 (Indoor)

MEC Athlete of the Year-19
Zack Marcum-Track-2017 (Outdoor)
Jack Mastandrea-Cross Country-2019, Track -2019 (Outdoor), Track-2021(Outdoor)
Nathan Stout-Field-2021 (Outdoor)
Kellen Tropeck-Field-2023 (Indoor & Outdoor), Kellen Tropeck-2024 (Indoor & Outdoor)
Elise Leveel-Cross Country-2022
Louanne Pouzancre-Track-2023 (Outdoor)
George Couttie-Cross Country-2023
Julie LaFare-Cross Country-2023
Julie LaFare-Track-2024 (Outdoor)
Beth Sykes-Track-2024 (Indoor), 2025 (Indoor), 2025 (Outdoor)
Laura Delgado de Torres-Field-2025 (Indoor)
Brooke Burns-Field-2025 (Outdoor)

MEC Freshman of the Year-Cross Country/Track & Field-22

Men's Cross Country-4
Max Allen-2016
David Cecchi-2017
Matthew Forrester-2020
George Couttie- 2023

Women's Cross Country-4
Kasey McNamara-2018
Mercy Jepleting-2020
Elise Leveel-2021
Julie LaFare-2022

Men's Track & Field-9
Liam Mumford-2015
Hunter Riffle-2018
Chris Barbera-2020(Indoor)
Thomas Termote-2022(Indoor)
Noah Revels-2022(Outdoor)
Matthys Bourse-2023(Indoor)
Mathias Mees-2023
Sam Idiens-2024 (Indoor), 2024 (Outdoor)

Women's Track & Field-5
Mercy Jepleting-2021
Elise Leveel-2022(Indoor & Outdoor)
Julie LaFare-2023(Indoor & Outdoor)

1st Team All-MEC
(Individual Conference Champion)-Track & Field-153
Men-97
Women-56

2015-Outdoor Men
Liam Mumford-800m & 1500m

2016–Outdoor Men
Liam Mumford-800m & 1500m
Jaylond Butler-100m

2017-Outdoor Men
Liam Mumford-800m & 1500m, David Morales Perez- Triple Jump
Zack Marcum-400m
Aaron Elliott-Hammer
4x400m Relay- Marcum, Booker, Mumford, Fisher

2018-Outdoor Men
Hunter Riffle-3k Steeplechase
Michael Strachan-200m & 400m
Jaylond Butler-100m
4x400m Relay- Strachan, Roy, Brooks, Burnham

Outdoor- Women
Kelly Whittaker-800m & 1500m
2019-Outdoor Men
Nathan Stout- Shot Put & Hammer
Aaron Banks-100m
Jack Mastandrea- 5,000m & 10,000m
Michael Strachan-400m
Kevin Olivas-400H
Liam Mumford-800m & 1500m
Stephen Brown-Javelin
4x400m Relay- Strachan, Marcum, Olivas, Brooks
2020 – Indoor Men
Aaron Banks - 60m & 200m
Michael Strachan - 400m
Josh Saunders - Long Jump
Nathan Stout - Shot Put
(Distance Medley Relay)-Kaufman, Booker, Brooks, Barbera
(4x400m Relay)- Mullenax, Booker, Strachan, Brooks

Outdoor-Women
Tricht Jocelyn- 60m
Gunnhildur Ingvadottir- Triple Jump

2021- Outdoor-Men
Jack Mastandrea-5,000m & 10,000m
Nathan Stout- Hammer, Discus
Warren Thiel- 800m, 4x400m
Kevin Olivas- Triple Jump
Dezmon Bradshaw- 110m
(4x400m Relay)- Mullenax, Hunkele, Thiel, Brooks

Outdoor-Women
Eve Hine- 400m
Lily Dowdell-1500m
Mercy Jepleting- 5,000m
Miriam Dreher-Triple Jump

2022 – Indoor-Men
Thomas Termote -5,000m
Warren Thiel -800m
Matthew Forrester-Mile
Kellen Tropeck Shot Put
(Distance Medley Relay)- Thiel, Burston, Revels, Forrester
Indoor-Women
Elise Leveel-3,000m & 5,000m
Louanne Pouzancre-200m
Eve Hine-400m
Miriam Dreher-Triple Jump & Long Jump
(Distance Medley Relay)-Tissier, Hoya, Woolwine, Dowdell
(4x400m Relay-)Hine, Pouzancre, Okoye, Barahona

Outdoor-Men
Matthew Forrester-1500m
Matt Fairbain-Triple Jump
Kellen Tropeck-Shot Put & Discus
(4x400m Relay)-Hunkele, Burston, Garrett, Mullenax
Outdoor-Women
Eve Hine-400m
Elise Leveel-5,000m & 10,000m
Flora Tissier-1500m
Miriam Dreher-Triple Jump & Long Jump
Marina Barahona-400mH
Lia Markert-3k Steeplechase
(4x100m Relay)-Hine, Dreher, Pouzancre, Grant
(4x400m Relay)-Hine, Pouzancre, Barahona, Grant

2023-Indoor-Men
Thomas Termote-Mile
Warren Thiel-800m
Kellen Tropeck-Shot Put & Discus
Mathias Mees-Heptathlon, Long Jump
(4x400m Relay)-Salgado, Thiel, Garrett, Hunkele

Indoor-Women
Julie LaFare-3,000m
Flora Tissier-5,000m & Mile
Miriam Dreher-Long Jump
Louanne Pouzancre-400m
(Distance Medley Relay)-Lily Dowdell, Patricia Alonso-Munoz, Maelle Fuchs, Mercy Jepleting

Outdoor-Men
Warren Thiel-800m
Iggy Chalker-5,000m
Joao Pereira-10,000m
Timber Huysmans-200m
Mathias Mees-Long Jump & Triple Jump
Kellen Tropeck-Shot Put & Discus
(4x400m Relay)-Alex Salgado, Michael Garrett, Timber Huysmans, Colin Hunkele

Outdoor-Women
Louanne Pouzancre-400m
Flora Tissier-1500m
Julie LaFare-5,000m & 10,000m
(4x400m Relay)-Balie Destefano, Camilia Hoya, Marina Barahona, Louanne Pouzancre

2024-Indoor
Men
Shot Put and Weight Throw-Kellen Tropeck
(Distance Medley Relay)-Aflalo, Smith, Thiel, Idiens
800m-Warren Thiel
400m and 200m-Bram DeRaedt
(4x400m Relay)-DeRaedt, Hunkele, Garrett, Salgado

Women
5,000m-Julie LaFare
Mile-Beth Sykes
Weight Throw-Abby McKinney
(Distance Medley Relay)-Jepleting, McLaughlin, Corroy, Sykes

2024-Outdoor
Men
5,000m and 10,000m-Iggy Chalker
800m-Sam Idiens
1500m-George Couttie
Shot Put, Hammer and Discus-Kellen Tropeck
Javelin-Manuel Campana
(4x400m Relay)-Smith, Garrett, Thiel, Hunkele
(4x100m Relay)-Agrizzi, Parsons, Alston, Huysmans
Women
5,000m and 10,000m-Julie LaFare
1500m-Beth Sykes
Hammer Throw-Abby McKinney


2025 -Indoor-Men
60m H-Massimo Pantano
200m-Timber Husymans
800m-Sam Idiens
Mile-Sam Idiens
3,000m-Caleb Gilbert
5,000m-Cosmas Chelanga
Weight Throw-Frankie Winter
(Distance Medley Relay)-Gilbert, McElrea, O'Shea, Idiens

Women
400m-Maya Clark
800m-Beth Sykes
Mile-Beth Sykes
Weight Throw-Abby McKinney

2025-Outdoor-Men
200m-Timber Huysmans
1500m-Jules Geffroy-Remot
5,000m-Cosmas Chelanga
10,000m-Iggy Chalker
Hammer Throw-Luke Messinger
(4x100m)-Parsons, Gutzeit, Agrizzi, Huysmans

Women
400m-Maya Clark
800m-Beth Sykes
1500m-Beth Sykes
Triple Jump-Stefani Vasileva
Hammer Throw-Brooke Burns
Discus-Brooke Burns
Javelin-Kalista Milne
 

Prior Coaching Experience
Head Coach Scott High School Track & Field- 2007-2013
85 individuals qualified for WV State Track Meet
Four State Champions
2012 Region 4 Champions/2013 Cardinal Conference Champions
Head Coach George Washington High School Cross Country- 2012-2013
2013 West Virginia AAA Cross Country Champion, Matthew Brafford (Oklahoma '18)
Cross Country State Qualifying teams 2012 & 2013