Mary Theisen has been named the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh’s interim head men’s and women’s track & field coach following the resignation of Ben Dorsey on Wednesday (Oct. 3). Theisen had been announced as the full-time assistant coach at the university on Aug. 23.
Theisen, who tutored UW-Oshkosh throwers as a volunteer coach last season, also assisted with the University of Wisconsin throws program on a volunteer basis during the 2014-15 season.
Last year, Theisen helped UW-Oshkosh’s Elizabeth Abhold and Zachary Baehman achieve indoor All-America honors in the 20-pound weight throw and shot put, respectively. She also coached Abhold to the outdoor WIAC hammer throw title.
Theisen, an Eau Claire Regis High School graduate, began her collegiate career at NCAA Division II Winona State University (Minn.). She totaled five All-America awards for the Warriors, including one with her first-place effort in the discus at the 2011 national outdoor championship. In 2011, Theisen was named the Central Region Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
Following three seasons at Winona State University, Theisen transferred to NCAA Division I Indiana State University. She earned three All-America citations for the Sycamores during the 2014 season and was named the Most Outstanding Field Athlete at the Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Championship. Theisen concluded her collegiate career by placing ninth in the shot put at the USA Outdoor Championship. She also holds three state of Wisconsin powerlifting records.
Theisen earned a bachelor’s degree in sport management from Indiana State University in 2014.
Dorsey stepped down after guiding the UW-Oshkosh women’s track & field team for four seasons and the school’s men’s track & field squad for one.
