Williamsburg coach recovering from electrical burns

IOWA CITY — Williamsburg High School girls' track coach Nick Nordheim says he's in good spirits as he recovers from an electrical shock over the weekend.

He remains hospitalized and is receiving treatment at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for multiple burns suffered Sunday while preparing for a track meet.

'There's a portable field goal post up there, and while we were moving that, and that's about the last I remember of it and then I woke up here,' Nordheim said from the hospital Wednesday.

School athletic director Curt Ritchie said either boy's track coach Matt Matthes and Nordheim came into contact with the wire, or electricity arced down from the wire. The current knocked Nordheim unconscious. Matthes was not injured and was able to pull Nordheim away from the goal post.

His feet were badly burned, as were spots on his arms and the rest of his body. Doctors say he should make a full recovery.

The support and well-wishes haven't stopped since he entered the hospital. Several asked if his power went out, because the electric shock led to a power outage in parts of Williamsburg — including Nordheim's own home.

'I've been trying to catch up on all of the texts and Facebook. I just tell them I'm not going to take anyone for granted. It's definitely an experience that happened for a reason, and I hope I can do some good because of it,' Nordheim said.

This week is 'Senior Survivor Week' at Williamsburg High School, and organizers plan to donate the proceeds to help with his medical expenses.