Chico State Athletics

Zack Nelson joined the Chico State track & field coaching staff after completing his collegiate career with the Wildcats and earning his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Chico State.

Nelson works primarily with the Wildcats’ hurdlers and high jumpers while also bringing valuable multi-event experience to the program. His background helped translate into immediate success for Chico State’s combined-event athletes during the 2026 season. Ronin Tidd captured the CCAA decathlon championship, providing a key event title on the way to the Wildcats’ men’s team championship, while Lavell Cross added a third-place finish in the decathlon. On the women’s side, Talynn Schroeder earned All-CCAA honors with a third-place finish in the heptathlon as Chico State claimed the conference team title.

A Santa Rosa native, Nelson began his collegiate career at Santa Rosa Junior College before transferring to Chico State in 2022. A multi-event athlete, Nelson competed for the Wildcats in the decathlon and javelin and appeared at the CCAA Track & Field Championships in both 2022 and 2023.

Nelson captured the CCAA decathlon championship in 2022 and also earned individual bronze-medal honors in the javelin at the conference championships in both 2022 and 2023. His experience across the multi-events gives him a strong technical background in several event areas.