Coach Ben Duea has been named the 2026 National High School Girls Track & Field Coach of the Year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, becoming the first coach from Iowa to earn the national honor.

“Our athletes have embraced the highest standards of commitment, discipline, and teamwork, and they are the reason we’ve been able to achieve so much success. I’m also grateful for an amazing coaching staff whose passion, expertise, and selflessness make our program what it is. This award reflects the culture we’ve built together, from our administration to our coaches, athletes, and families, and I’m thankful to everyone who has been part of that journey,” Duea said.

Duea was recognized following a historic season in which the Wolves captured their fourth state championship in five years. Northwest scored a state-record 150.5 points, winning the team title by 74 points in one of the most commanding performances in Iowa high school track and field history.

The team placed in all 19 events while earning seven individual event state titles. Five of those titles were relays that set both a meet record and an all-time Iowa state record. The team’s 4×800-meter relay was among the nation’s best performances this season; their time of 8:58.01 ranked eighth in the U.S.

“The best coaches don’t just produce champions — they build programs that expect to compete for championships,” the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association said in a press release announcing the award.

“Coach Duea has built something truly special. What this program has accomplished in just a few short years is incredible,” said Justin Ohl, Northwest High School activities director. “We couldn’t be more proud to see him receive this well-deserved honor, and we’re excited to see Northwest represented at the national level.”

A 2008 graduate of Waukee High School, Duea earned his bachelor’s degree from Simpson College and a master’s degree from Emporia State University.

After beginning his coaching career in 2014 at Ames High School, Duea joined Northwest as the first head coach of the girls track & field program when the school opened. He is a fourth-generation head track & field coach, following in the footsteps of his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who all coached state championship-winning teams.

Duea will be honored in December during the association’s annual convention along with Sean Brady of Catholic-Baton Rouge in Louisiana, who was named the Boys Track & Field Coach of the Year.

Congratulations to Coach Duea on this well-deserved national honor.

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