Williamsburg coach recovering after shock

Williamsburg High School girls' track coach Nick Nordheim is hospitalized at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics after suffering multiple burns Sunday afternoon.

Nordheim, 36, is expected to make a full recovery, Williamsburg Athletics Director Curt Ritchie said Monday morning.

'They don't expect any long-term issues,” Ritchie said. 'I don't know a lot about electricity, but everybody on the scene agreed that Nick is really fortunate.

'A lot of people that take a shock like he took are killed, or are missing an arm or a hand.”

Nordheim was injured around 5 p.m. Sunday, when he and boys' track coach Matt Matthes were preparing for Tuesday's track meet. They were moving a portable football goal post at the throwing area, which also doubles as a football practice field.

'Either they came in contact with the wire or the current arched down from the wire,” Ritchie said.

Matthes was not injured. He was able to pull Nordheim, who was knocked unconscious by the current, away from the goal post.

Ritchie said Nordheim had been in contact with him via text messages Monday from the hospital.

'We expect him to be out of the hospital in a few days,” Ritchie said.

Abby Tiernan will coach the girls' team in Nordheim's absence. A science teacher at the high school, Nordheim also serves as Williamsburg's cross country coach.

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