Ekel steps down as SWCC XC and T&F coach

While the timing is not ideal, an opportunity came along that Southwestern Community College cross country and track and field coach Nick Ekel could not turn down.

Ekel announced his resignation Thursday as cross country and track and field coach.

He’ll take over as the new cross country and track and field coach at Graceland University in Lamoni.

The opening came when former Yellow Jackets coach Reece Vega left to take over as head coach at The College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY.

Ekel will be replaced on an interim basis by current Southwestern assistant coach Jordan Strofaci.

“It was just the right professional opportunity at the right time,” Ekel said.

Ekel’s first official day at Graceland is Jan. 30.

Ekel had been at Southwestern since May of 2015.

While his time in Creston was not long, Ekel has enjoyed his time at Southwestern.

“Southwestern is a phenomenal place to work,” Ekel said. “I’m going to cherish the working relationships I had with the staff for the entirety of my professional career.”

Ekel thanked Southwestern athletic director Todd Lorensen for hiring him.

“I’m particularly thankful to Todd for having the faith in me to coach their program, mentor the student athletes,” Ekel said.

The student athletes also made the job at Southwestern enjoyable.

“I had a great time coaching each and every student athlete,” Ekel said.

Ekel knows the Spartan program is in good shape with Strofaci taking over.

“Jordan knows the student athletes. They’re going to have incredible success this year,” Ekel said.

Ekel has high hopes for his athletes at Graceland.

“I’m looking forward to as a coach is about helping the student athletes accomplish their goals on and off the track,” Ekel said.

Graceland’s facilities were a draw.

“I’m excited about their facilities,” Ekel said. “They have a indoor 200-meter flat track, which is invaluable in the winter. They have an on-campus dedicated cross country course that I’m excited we’ll have an opportunity to train on, host high school and college meets. Their outdoor track was newly resurfaced last year. That’s a valuable tool for training.”

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In steps Strofaci, who relocated from Lake Elsinore, California, where he was an assistant track and field/cross country coach for Lakeside High School. He's originally from Palmdale, California.

Strofaci was not unfamiliar with the Hawkeye state when coming here in August to be an assistant to Ekel.

Strofaci is an alum of Northwestern College in Orange City, where he was recruited to play football and run track from 2011-2015 and was a two-time All-American at the NAIA level.

Strofaci had been working with sprinters, jumpers and hurdlers. Now the role he takes on is bigger.

"I’m incredibly excited," Strofaci said. "I feel very prepared to step in and be successful."

Ekel has been big in helping Strofaci not feel overwhelmed coming into the position.

“Coach Ekel has done a great job putting me into this position where I’m off to a good at and the majority of scheduling has been accomplished already," Strofaci said. “I can continue to spend more of my time investing in the athletes as opposed to taking care of the back end stuff.”

Strofaci insists that his acclimation to Southwest Iowa has been an easy going venture thus far, noting he believes many of the people he has met are genuine. Couple that with a young athletic department full of relatively new coaches, Strofaci feels at home.

"It is pretty cool to have that atmosphere of people you can go to and really connect in that sense and we're pretty close together. We’re a pretty tight-knit coaching family," Strofaci said.

When asked what he would bring to the program, he cited an attitude of "running a 205."

"Most athletes run a 200," Strofaci said. "My athletes are going to be known for blowing through that line."