“DVC track Is back,” yelled Shelly Pierson, the new track coach. She hasn’t always been this excited though.

In April 2010, the track and field program at DVC was cut due to budget cuts and low numbers. This was a sad day for all running lovers including Pierson.

A few months later, it was reinstated. However, the team was unorganized and without a coach.

DVC Athletic Director Christine Worsley found Shelly Pierson, a current employee with coaching experience, who was a perfect fit for the job. She was extremely excited to hear the news and to have the opportunity to get back into coaching.

 “As coaches, our goal is to instill a positive sense of self-efficacy in all our athletes while providing a path towards moving on to the next level in both academic and athletic abilities,” says Pierson on her goals as a coach.

She wants to help the program in a significant way. She already led the Cross Country team to state for the first time in five years, and says that, “I do foresee huge potential for a few school records to be broken this season for both the men’s and women’s teams.”

There are 50 students on the Track and Field team, which is “the highest number in years,” according to Pierson and it looks to be a very promising season. Many of the athletes on the Cross Country team are also on the Track team.

Her excitement to be back coaching couldn’t be higher. She spends time during the week and even a few weekends fixing the track equipment, so her athletes can have the best chance to succeed.

It hasn’t been all good times for Pierson since she took over though. “Everything is very unorganized, and records need to be tracked,” Pierson said. “I have to do all the paperwork on top of my coaching duties.”

She isn’t complaining though, just excited to be coaching, again saying, “There is a lot to accomplish and we will move towards doing that one task at a time.”

In 2001, Shelly Pierson stopped coaching to spend more time with her family and newborn child. She couldn’t stay away from her love of running though and in 2005 she opened a private coaching fitness company.

Pierson has worked at DVC for 12 years focusing on the personal fitness side of the sports medicine program. She became a full-time employee two years ago.

“As a team our goal is to stay cohesive and work hard as a team to do our best.” Says Pierson

Pierson has a lot of work ahead of her, but she thinks she is up to it. “I am blessed to have a team of fabulous athletes, and I look forward to working with them everyday.”