Track and Field
Phelps, Dason
Dason Phelps
- Title:
- Assistant Coach - Pole Vault/Javelin
- Email:
- dason.phelps@siu.edu
- Phone:
- 618-453-5451
By the numbers
• 3 MVC Champions
• 2 MVC Runner-Ups
• 5 MVC All-Conference
• 4 SIU All-Time Top 10
• 2 NCAA Preliminary qualifiers
Dason Phelps enters his second season with the SIU track and field program and is primarily responsible for the pole vault and javelin events.
In his first year with the Saluki’s the pole-vaulters had a terrific year. They claimed three of the four possible MVC titles while picking up two additional runner-up places. Seniors Chad Weaver and Cara Engel led the way. Weaver won both indoor and outdoor titles. He vaulted personal bests of 17’1.50 and 17’1.75” in each respective season and advanced to the outdoor West NCAA Preliminary meet. Engel cleared a lifetime best of 13’6.25” and claimed her first MVC title at the Indoor MVC meet. Senior Nathan Schuck also vaulted a lifetime best 17’1.75” and advanced to the NCAA West Preliminary meet.
Phelps came to SIU after spending two seasons at Kansas State University. Primarily working with the pole vault group, he guided Megan Vanderpool and Zack Supple to top ten marks in program history, both indoor and outdoor. Phelps also assisted with the Cross Country and mid-distance/distance teams in his second year at K-State.
Prior to K-State, Phelps spent two years as a graduate assistant coach for the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota. During his time with the Marauders, he coached the men and women pole vault groups, as well as assisted in the development of the multi-event athletes. Specifically, he coached the shot put, long jump, and pole vault for the Multis.
Under Phelps' tutelage, freshman vaulter Davina Carr tied for second at the NSIC outdoor Conference Championships in 2014. Carr was also an NCAA provisional qualifier and All-Academic Team honoree. Phelps also assisted in the development of Hwang Lee, who as a freshman set the program heptathlon record, as well as Molly McDonald who was an NCAA provisional qualifier in both the pentathlon and heptathlon. During his tenure, Phelps was a part of three NSIC Conference Team Championships on the women's side.
In all, Phelps possesses over a decade of coaching experience. He was an assistant coach/recruiting specialist at Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) in 2012 and served as the pole vault coach at Pinnacle High School in Phoenix from 2005-2009. While at Pinnacle, Phelps coached the 2007 4A-I boys pole vault state champion.
Phelps has coached numerous summer camps and clinics throughout the country since 1999. He was also a member of the National Staff at the annual Reno Pole Vault Summit from 2006-2014.
Competitively, Phelps was a two-time National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Champion while attending PVCC from 1998-2000. He is the only pole-vaulter in junior college history to have ever cleared the 18 foot barrier and is the NJCAA indoor & outdoor record holder in the event at 5.55m/18-2.5 and 5.49m/18-00 respectively.
A native of Mesa, Arizona, Phelps received his B.A. in psychology from Arizona State in December 2011.
• 3 MVC Champions
• 2 MVC Runner-Ups
• 5 MVC All-Conference
• 4 SIU All-Time Top 10
• 2 NCAA Preliminary qualifiers
Dason Phelps enters his second season with the SIU track and field program and is primarily responsible for the pole vault and javelin events.
In his first year with the Saluki’s the pole-vaulters had a terrific year. They claimed three of the four possible MVC titles while picking up two additional runner-up places. Seniors Chad Weaver and Cara Engel led the way. Weaver won both indoor and outdoor titles. He vaulted personal bests of 17’1.50 and 17’1.75” in each respective season and advanced to the outdoor West NCAA Preliminary meet. Engel cleared a lifetime best of 13’6.25” and claimed her first MVC title at the Indoor MVC meet. Senior Nathan Schuck also vaulted a lifetime best 17’1.75” and advanced to the NCAA West Preliminary meet.
Phelps came to SIU after spending two seasons at Kansas State University. Primarily working with the pole vault group, he guided Megan Vanderpool and Zack Supple to top ten marks in program history, both indoor and outdoor. Phelps also assisted with the Cross Country and mid-distance/distance teams in his second year at K-State.
Prior to K-State, Phelps spent two years as a graduate assistant coach for the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota. During his time with the Marauders, he coached the men and women pole vault groups, as well as assisted in the development of the multi-event athletes. Specifically, he coached the shot put, long jump, and pole vault for the Multis.
Under Phelps' tutelage, freshman vaulter Davina Carr tied for second at the NSIC outdoor Conference Championships in 2014. Carr was also an NCAA provisional qualifier and All-Academic Team honoree. Phelps also assisted in the development of Hwang Lee, who as a freshman set the program heptathlon record, as well as Molly McDonald who was an NCAA provisional qualifier in both the pentathlon and heptathlon. During his tenure, Phelps was a part of three NSIC Conference Team Championships on the women's side.
In all, Phelps possesses over a decade of coaching experience. He was an assistant coach/recruiting specialist at Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) in 2012 and served as the pole vault coach at Pinnacle High School in Phoenix from 2005-2009. While at Pinnacle, Phelps coached the 2007 4A-I boys pole vault state champion.
Phelps has coached numerous summer camps and clinics throughout the country since 1999. He was also a member of the National Staff at the annual Reno Pole Vault Summit from 2006-2014.
Competitively, Phelps was a two-time National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Champion while attending PVCC from 1998-2000. He is the only pole-vaulter in junior college history to have ever cleared the 18 foot barrier and is the NJCAA indoor & outdoor record holder in the event at 5.55m/18-2.5 and 5.49m/18-00 respectively.
A native of Mesa, Arizona, Phelps received his B.A. in psychology from Arizona State in December 2011.
Inside Saluki Athletics - September 16th
Wednesday, September 17
9.16.25 | Coach Nick Hill Weekly Press Conference
Tuesday, September 16
9.8.25 | Saluki Football Highlights - at Purdue
Monday, September 15
9.15.25 | Damien Mayo Jr. with Rodney Watson
Monday, September 15
