Calla Nelson joined the UC Irvine coaching staff in 2018, working primarily with the cross country and distance track program.
Last year, Nelson worked closely with Hannah Chau, who earned All-Big West honors after finishing fifth at the conference championships. Chau also ran the fourth-fastest 6K in program history at 20:44.5 at the UCR Invitational. In 2018, Nelson helped the Anteater women to their best finish at the Big West Cross Country Championships since 2008.
Nelson came to UCI after eight years coaching cross country at Roseville Area High School in Minnesota. During her tenure, she coached six state teams, placing as high as fifth in 2011. Her team also placed second five times in the Suburban East Conference Championship meet, and secured a top three finish every year in the Section 4AA meet. She was selected as the Section 4AA Assistant Coach of the Year in 2014 and 2016.
In 2017, Nelson worked with the University of Wisconsin-Superior track and field program, helping the men’s team earn a first-place finish at the 2017 Upper Midwest Athletic Conference Championship indoor and outdoor meet. She also coached the women’s team to a second and third-place finish at the 2017 Upper Midwest Athletic Conference Championship indoor and outdoor meets, respectively.
Nelson is a USATF Level I certified coach.Â
Nelson graduated from the University of Minnesota where she competed on the cross country and track and field teams. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Sociology, and a minor in Spanish.
