Coaches

Coaching Career & Credentials

• Founder of Run For Performance – (2011 – present)
• Club Director / Head Coach – Run Fit Running Club (2011-2017, 2019-2020)
• NASM-CPT Certified Personal Trainer, USA Track and Field L1 certified coach, RRCA certified coach, Precision Nutrition certified nutrition coach (PN-1), USATF SafeSport certified, CPR/AED/First Aid certified and several others.

Career Highlights as a Coach

• Has/currently coaching dozens of district, regional, state and national All American team athletes in Track and Cross Country.
• Coached multi-sport state champions including youth, middle school boys and girls wrestlers and football (agility, speed, endurance)
• Coached collegiate recruited athletes (University of Akron, Creighton University, University of Cincinnati)
• Coached 100’s of adult runners in distances up to 50k

Athletic Background

• In 1985, as a Bartlett High School senior, ran the fastest U.S. high school 800m time (1:49.2) and later the #3 all-time mark (1:48.09).
• Earned an athletic scholarship to the University of Arizona, graduating in 1990 with a BA.
• Collegiate and elite achievements include: 1987 Pac-10 800m Champion, NCAA All-American, U.S. World Junior & Senior National Team member, 1988 Olympic Trials semifinalist, Nike-sponsored athlete, and part of the world’s #1 4x800m relay team (1988, 7:16.72).
• Still holds Alaska state records (800m, 1600m, 5k cross country during various periods).

Coaching Career

• Coaching since 1991 across high school and collegiate levels, including the University of Alaska Anchorage.
• Founded Alaska Running Academy (2010–present).
• Past roles include coaching at South Anchorage HS, West Valley HS, North Pole HS, East Anchorage HS, Bartlett HS, and Salpointe Catholic HS.
• USA Track and Field certified, SafeSport certified, CPR/AED/First Aid certified

Career Highlights as a Coach

• Produced multiple U.S. top-ranked athletes (e.g., Drew Regnier #3 U.S. 800m in 2023, Tristian Merchant U.S. #3 indoor 3k in 2020).
• Guided numerous state champions, record holders, and All-Americans across Alaska.
• Teams achieved national rankings, including West Valley girls (#1 in Northwest, #9 U.S. in 2006).
• Coached athletes who signed with top collegiate programs (BYU, NAU, Penn State, University of Arizona).

Honors & Recognition

• Inducted into the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame (2009).
• University of Arizona school record holder in the 800m (1:47.00).
• Distinguished long-term impact as both an elite athlete and nationally recognized coach.