Tara (Mickelson) Wheeler enters her second year as an assistant coach with the Roadrunners in 2015-16.
In 2015, she helped the team to a 44-16 mark, including 28-6 in the RMAC to win the regular season conference championship. The team climbed into the top 25 after a strong showing in non-conference play that included a win over No. 11 Angelo State and the Roadrunners steadily moved up to No. 18 in NCAA Division II by the end of the regular season. The success didn't stop there as they upset No. 7 St. Mary's (Texas) on the road to reach the finals of the South Central Region No. 2 Tournament.
The team was outstanding in all facets of the game, finishing first in the RMAC in earned run average, second in runs per game and batting average, and third in fielding percentage. She coached seven all-conference players, including pitcher and freshman of the year Kenzie Mattey.
Wheeler also served as an assistant in 2011 and 2012 with the Roadrunners after a two-year playing career for MSU Denver. She also coached at Arvada West High School in 2014.
Wheeler helped MSU Denver reach the NCAA tournament and win the RMAC regular season championship in 2011, finishing with a 34-18 record.
After transferring from NCAA Division I Indiana University-Purdue University-Fort Wayne, where she was named first team All-Summit League as a sophomore in 2008, Wheeler returned home to finish her career at MSU Denver. As a junior in 2009, she was named Daktronics first team All-America as she set school records with 22 home runs 74 runs batted in, while hitting .398. As a senior, she led all of Division II with 25 home runs, breaking her own school record. She also topped her RBI record with 78 runs batted in and batted .370. In addition to her individual success, she led the Roadrunners to the NCAA Tournament both years, including a trip to the College World Series as a senior.  MSU Denver won the RMAC regular season and tournament championships both years.
Wheeler earned her bachelor's degree in general studies in 2014 from Northeastern State University. A native of Wheat Ridge, Colorado, she is married to her husband Steve.
