Roger Mathiesen, (Kearney Public Schools, Courtesy)
KEARNEY — Kearney High School has officially named its track in honor of longtime boys track and field coach Roger Mathiesen, recognizing nearly four decades of extraordinary leadership, competitive excellence, and lasting impact on student-athletes and the Kearney community.
Mathiesen served as head boys track and field coach at Kearney High School from 1980 to 2017, guiding the Bearcats for 37 years and building one of the most successful high school track programs in Nebraska—and the nation. The newly named Roger Mathiesen Track stands as a permanent tribute to a coach whose influence extended far beyond the oval.
“Coach Mathiesen set a standard of excellence that few programs anywhere in the country, in any sport, at any level, can match,” said Kearney Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Jason Mundorf. “Naming the track in his honor ensures future generations understand the legacy of commitment, discipline, and pride he instilled in the athletes at Kearney High School under his tutelage. These traits allowed Kearney High School to enjoy a level of success which was and is the envy of all other programs. Congratulations to Coach Mathiesen, his wife Bev, his former coaches, the track athletes he coached at Kearney High School, and his extended family and friends for this well-deserved honor!”
During his tenure, Mathiesen amassed an astonishing 1,614 wins and just 77 losses, a 95 percent winning percentage. His teams captured a state-record 16 team state championships, including 11 consecutive titles, and finished either state champions or runners-up 22 times.
The Bearcats also achieved a national record of 123 consecutive individual championships over 22 years, defeating 947 consecutive teams.
Kearney High School’s boys track program under Mathiesen was recognized nationally and historically, earning features on ESPN’s Scholastic Sports America, being honored by the Nebraska Sports Hall of Fame, and being named the Kearney Hub’s “Team of the 20th Century.” The 1996 and 1997 teams are widely regarded as two of the greatest track teams in Nebraska history.
Mathiesen’s personal accolades mirror his team success. He was named National High School Coaches Association National Coach of the Year in 2001, inducted into the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2014, and earned multiple Coach of the Year honors from the Omaha World-Herald, Lincoln Journal Star, and Grand Island Independent. He is also a recipient of the Nebraska Coaches Association’s Bennie & Dutch Coaching Award and the University of Nebraska at Kearney Distinguished Alumni Award.
Beyond championships, Mathiesen’s legacy is reflected in the athletes he mentored. Under his leadership, 143 athletes advanced to collegiate track and field, including 40 who competed at the NCAA Division I level. A total of 233 athletes medaled at the state meet, with 133 earning individual state championships or runner-up finishes.
Naming the Kearney High School track after Roger Mathiesen honors a coach whose dedication shaped generations of athletes, elevated Kearney High School on the state and national stage, and created a tradition of excellence that continues today.
