LAS CRUCES, N.M. – On Friday afternoon, Head Coach Joseph Rath announced a trio of new coaches joining the NM State staff ahead of the 2025-26 season. Kirsten Nieuwendam will serve as the Aggies' sprints/jumps/hurdles coach, while Tasha Frazier will serve as a coaching intern for sprints/jumps/hurdles. Recently graduated student-athlete Kayla O'Connell will now serve as the Aggies' graduate assistant coach and Director of Operations.
 
Nieuwendam joins the Aggie staff as a two-time Olympian, representing the South American country of Suriname in both the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games in the 200m. Competing at Penn State and finishing her collegiate career at the University of Central Florida, Nieuwendam most recently coached at the University of Richmond, while also collecting coaching experience with stops at Upper Iowa University, Northwestern Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and UCF, and a stint at Ocoee High School.


 
"I'm incredibly honored and thankful for the opportunity to serve as Assistant Coach. My passion lies in helping our student-athletes grow not only on the field, but off it, developing character, discipline, and leadership that extend beyond the sport. I'd like to give a heartfelt thank you to Coach Rath and former Interim AD Dr. Burdge for their belief in me and continued support. I'm also looking forward to working alongside our new Athletic Director, Mr. Joe Fields, as we continue to build a championship culture rooted in hard work, accountability, and unity. Let's get to work!" said Nieuwendam.
 
Head Coach Joseph Rath, on the hiring of Coach Nieuwendam: "We are thrilled to announce that Coach Nieuwendam will be leading our Sprints and Jumps program. Coach Nieuwendam is one of the most passionate and insightful coaches I have ever encountered. She possesses an exceptional eye for talent and an extraordinary ability to develop athletes to their fullest potential. Highly recommended by multiple respected coaches, I am very excited to collaborate with her as we elevate our Sprints and Jumps groups to new heights."
 
Also joining the staff is Tasha Frazier, who will serve as a coaching intern for NM State's jumps program alongside Nieuwendam. Frazier is a former student-athlete, winning the 2016 NJCAA Outdoor National Championship in the long jump under former NM State associate head coach and current Florida State assistant Tony Davis. Following a pair of seasons in Great Bend, Kansas, Frazier competed for two seasons at Iowa State of the Big 12. Graduating with a degree in Psychology in 2019, Frazier most recently served as an assistant coach at Gateway Stem High School in St. Louis, with prior coaching experience at Allen Community College (Iola, Kan.).


 
"I'm excited and grateful to have the opportunity to work with a very supportive and ambitious coaching staff", commented Frazier, upon the announcement. "Most importantly, I'm excited to work with the young ladies who are a part of the New Mexico State track & field program. I can't wait to see how this journey unfolds as we all work together to bring out the best in each student-athlete that crosses our path. Thank you for welcoming me into the Aggies community! GO AGGIES!"
 
"With experience at both the junior college and high school levels, Coach Frazier brings a wealth of knowledge and passion with her.  As a former student-athlete, she made remarkable strides from high school to college and understands deeply the transformative impact a coach can have. I've long recognized her potential to become an exceptional coach, and I'm confident she will inspire our athletes just as she was inspired by her own mentors.", said Head Coach Joseph Rath.
 
Rounding out the new additions to Head Coach Joseph Rath's staff is former Aggie student-athlete Kayla O'Connell. The Morenci, Ariz., native recently wrapped up her collegiate career with the Crimson & White, helping the team secure an outdoor title in 2023. O'Connell also holds the tenth-fastest 10,000m in NM State history, posting a mark of 36:47.79. O'Connell will serve as a graduate assistant coach for the Aggies, as well as the Director of Operations.


 
"I'm so excited and thankful for the opportunity to be able to step into a graduate assistant role at NMSU! I'm looking forward to be able to develop and learn from an incredible staff that had such a huge impact on me as athlete."
 
"Coach O'Connell will serve as our Graduate Assistant, supporting our cross country and distance programs, while also taking on the critical role of Primary Director of Operations. Kayla has always approached training with curiosity and a strong desire to understand the 'why' behind every program. She demonstrated outstanding leadership as a student-athlete and remains deeply committed to the well-being and development of our team. I am excited to watch her grow into a remarkable coach and role model for our athletes.", said Head Coach Joseph Rath.
 
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
 
"I believe Coach Rath and New Mexico State University are gaining an incredible addition to their track and field staff. Coach Kirsten brings a contagious heart and passion that elevates everyone around her. She has contributed meaningfully at every level of our sport, and I look forward to watching her guide and inspire her group while making a powerful impact across the entire program." – James Thomas, Head Coach, University of Oklahoma
 
"I have no doubt that New Mexico State and Coach Rath have hit the nail on the head with the addition of Coach K! She will bring an infectious energy and passion to the job that will radiate throughout the entire program. A true student of the sport, Coach K will leave no stone unturned to ensure her athletes will be successful. Her attention to detail and nose to the grindstone style will make for some exciting moments in Las Cruces. I look forward to watching the work that she will do for the Aggies!" - Calvin Robinson, Associate Head Coach, Texas Tech University

"I am extremely happy for Tasha on the opportunity to lead athletes at New Mexico State! Tasha has always carried a passion not only for sport, but also for leadership and the growth of those around her. Her perseverance and ability to deliver results are qualities that athletes and staff alike will appreciate. I'm confident her presence will make an immediate impact on the program. Aggie Up!" – Tony Davis, Florida State hurdles and women's sprints coach
 
"From believing I had one purpose in long jumping, to discovering untapped potential, Coach T saw something in me as an athlete that I never saw in myself. Coach T helped me realize that as an athlete, I had more to offer, which led me to start competing in the triple jump, the event in which I became the seventh-ranked triple jumper at NJCAA nationals in 2022. This ultimately led me to commit to a Division I school! Her drive and will to achieve greatness pushed me and the rest of the team to be the best versions of ourselves on and off the track!" – Jeremiah Saintil, former Alcorn State jumper
 
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