Derek Frese has been leading the Nebraska Wesleyan throws program since the year 2007.
In his illustrious career, Frese has been named the Central Region Field Assistant Coach of the Year five times, most recently in 2018. Under his guidance the throws program has gained national prominence. His throwers have produced 37 All-American awards including an NCAA National Champion when Avery Decker won the javelin in 2025 and four national runner up performances in the shot put with Dayton Dolincheck in 2018, Samantha Dolezal in 2015 and 2016, and Avery Decker in 2024 in the javelin.
In a historic 2025, he added 6 more All-American honors to his resume. Most prominent was Avery Decker becoming the NCAA National Champion in the javelin. Her national title was her 4th career All-American honor in the event. Emmilly Berglund also gained her first All-American indoor in the shot put where she finished 4th at the indoor national meet. Four other athletes earned 2nd team All-American during the 2025 season; Sam Clements (Shot), Kaelyn Means (Discus), Colin Wojtkiewicz (Hammer), Emmilly Berglund (Shot-outdoors).
His throwers success also made noise in 2025 on the all-time NWU charts and on the conference level. The throwers claimed seven All-Conference performances including one conference title in the javelin as Avery Decker won her 3rd straight conference title. Both genders combined, the throwers produced 16 NWU all-time top 10 performances including three school records. Wojtkiewicz in the hammer (59.22m), Decker in the javelin (48.70m), and Eric Lenz in the weight (18.48m) all broke school records. Additionally, Sam Clements broke the both the freshman record in the shot put indoors and outdoors while having the farthest throw in the country out of any freshman during the indoor and outdoor season.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in sports administration from University of Nebraska-Kearney in 2005. While at UNK he was a four-year member of the track team. Frese was a four-time NCAA II All-American in the throws and earned All-RMAC recognition in seven of the eight seasons he competed. He was also a team captain during the 2004 and 2005 seasons.
Frese came to NWU from Northwest Missouri State University where he served as a graduate assistant track and field coach for two seasons. He earned a master’s degree in athletic administration from Northwest Missouri in 2007.
A Bancroft, Neb., native, Derek lives with his wife Karla and three children in Lincoln. He also serves as a Strength & Conditioning Coach at Nebraska Wesleyan.
