MITCHELL, S.D. — Dakota Wesleyan Track & Field announces the addition of Robert Atwater to the coaching staff as an assistant, bringing with him a plethora of top-end experience as a former college competitor.
Atwater graduated from Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska, with a degree in Sports Management & Digital Marketing in 2025, which is also where he competed as a member of the Warrior Track & Field team for multiple seasons. Atwater is most notably a two-time national champion, claiming titles at the 2024 NAIA Indoor National Championships in the long jump and at the 2025 NAIA Indoor National Championships in the heptathlon. He is also a 12-time All-American, receiving such prestigious distinctions four times in the high jump, four more times in the long jump, twice in the heptathlon, and once in each the triple jump and pole vault. In total, Atwater holds 21 All-Conference honors from the Great Plains Athletic Conference and racked up seven total conference championships, making his winning pedigree a notable addition to the track and field program as a whole.
Coach Atwater also previously won two events at the historic Drake Relays during his time as a competitor and holds many impressive personal records, including a 7' 2.5" mark in the high jump, 25' 3.5" in the long jump, and a total score of 5396 in the heptathlon. Coach Atwater began his duties on December 22nd of 2025.
Head Coach Ryan Chase is thrilled to add such impressive experience to the program.
"We are super excited to add Coach Robert Atwater to our staff. Our athletes are already enjoying working with him and his knowledge and expertise is invaluable to the future growth and success of our program. I am looking forward to working with Coach Atwater to help our athletes become the best versions of themselves and elevate the entire track and field program!"
Coach Atwater began his duties on December 22nd of 2025.