ONU adds Buelsing, Thompson to Track and Field, Cross Country staffs

By Wes Mayberry

ADA — Ohio Northern has named two new assistant coaches in its track and field and cross country programs.

Will Buelsing has been hired as a full-time assistant in track and field and will work directly with the jumps — high jump, pole vault, long jump and triple jump.

Hannah Thompson is a new part-time member of the staff and will work with the men's and women's cross country and track and field distance runners.

Buelsing spent the past two years at Mount Saint Joseph University, where he was the jumps and multi-events coach. He has also worked with Colerain High School and a pole vault club in Cincinnati.

"I'm excited to add Will to our coaching staff, as he brings a great work ethic, love of the sport and passion to face new challenges," ONU cross country and track and field head coach Jason Maus said. "Will is a great addition to our program and allows us to continue to build towards our goals."

A varsity letter winner, Buelsing competed in the indoor heptathlon and outdoor decathlon and participated in various relays while attending the University of Indianapolis.

He graduated cum laude in 2017 with degrees in Spanish and environmental science and a concentration in multilingual translation and conversation.

Thompson, meanwhile, comes to ONU after a standout collegiate career at Malone University, where she was a five-time NCAA Division II national qualifier and a two-time All-American in indoor track and field and cross country. She set school records in the indoor 5K (16:43), 10K (34:36) and 3K steeplechase (10:32).

"Hannah has had a tremendous college career at Malone. She brings a great attitude, work ethic and a passion for the profession," Maus said. "I'm excited to add Hannah to our staff with some of the new ideas she can bring to our program."

Thompson, a native of Canton and a graduate of GlenOak High School, received her bachelor's degree in exercise science with a minor in coaching from Malone in 2019 and went on to earn her master's degree in business administration in 2021.

ONU added Thompson and Buelsing to its track and field and cross country coaching staffs following the departure of former assistant Casey Gantt.

"I can't thank Casey enough for all he has done for ONU cross country and track and field," Maus said. "He has made a huge impact on our program — the decade of commitment and passion for ONU cross country and track and field has been tremendous. We wish him the best in his new chapter, and he will forever be a member of the Polar Bear family."

In other coaching news, Jason Fisher will remain in his full-time role as assistant track and field coach for throws, and Emily Richards will stay in her part-time role as assistant coach for cross country and track and field for middle distance.

Molly Amidon, meanwhile, will continue to work with the track and field team with a focus on sprints and hurdles but has accepted a new role as assistant men's and women's cross country coach.

"I know she's excited about the new opportunity and challenges," Maus said of Amidon. "I think she brings a different perspective to the distance side of things, which will be great for our athletes."