Biography

A four-year letterwinner in three sports – cross country, basketball and track and field – in college, Eidahl has coached cross country and track for 41 years, all but one at Pekin High. His teams have won five state championships – three in cross country and two in track – and he has been named state and regional Coach of the Year a combined 16 times in the two sports. He was inducted into the Iowa Association of Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2001.

Also a champion race walker, he was an Olympic Trials qualifier in 1972 and has won over 300 races in his career. He is a finalist for the National High School Athletic Coaches Association’s National Boys Cross Country Coach of the Year.

Since being honored by the NHSCA not much has changed for Eidahl. He is still actively teaching and coaching at Pekin as of 2020 after 55 years.  His boys’ team has won 39 conference titles in track and field and 33 in cross country. In addition, his girls’ team have won 35 conference titles.

Records

Coached 10 State Championship Teams: 4 Boys' Cross Country, 4 Girls' Cross Country, 2 Boys' Track & Field

Professional Achievements

2001 Iowa Association of Track and Field Hall of Fame Inductee

Personal Honors

First ever winner of the Girls’ Athletic Union Golden Plaque of Distinction