Head Coach, Sprint & Hurdle Events: Don Roberts - Don has been the hurdle and sprint coach at Santa Cruz HS since 1979. He was a two-time masters national champion in the 110 hurdles and the 400 hurdles, and placed 4th in the World Masters Championships in the 400 hurdles. He held the SCHS school record in the 110 high hurdles from 1969-1980, when it was finally broken by Bob Sanders. He and his wife Ann were instrumental in raising funds for the new track facility. Don, his son, his mother, and his grandmother are all SCHS alumni.
"I teach the positive aspects of having pride in yourself and giving your best effort in all you do."
Middle & Long Distance Events: Greg Brock - Greg has been running, racing, and coaching track for 41 years. He started his running career at Nortedel Rio High School in Sacramento where he competed in the California State Meet in the mile and 2 mile. He attended Stanford University and competed in cross country and distance track events. During his sophomore year, he placed 5th in the 10K (10,000 meters) at the NCAA championships and qualified for the 1968 Olympic Trials. He held records at Stanford University in the 2, 3, and 6 mile distances. Greg was also awarded with the distinguished Cross Country All-American award in 1968 and 1969 during his sophomore and junior years. After college, he went to the Olympic Trials in the 10,000 meters and the marathon, placing 5th in the marathon. In 2009, he coached Santa Cruz native Maggie Vessey to the 3rd best time in the world for the women’s 800 meters. Greg has a BA in Psychology from Stanford and a MA in Exercise Physiology from UC Santa Barbara and is USA Track & Field certified at Level 1 and Level 2 with an endurance emphasis.
“I love helping anyone improve their performances at any time in their lives. I coach appropriate to the age and experience level of the athletes. The best coaching is done on a collaborative level. I don’t dictate--and prefer to give advice and guidance to athletes by giving feedback during their journey. I am very proud to have advised a lot of people who have gone into coaching.”
Long & Triple Jump: Jim Meyer - Coach Meyer graduated from Santa Cruz HS in 1994. While at SCHS he qualified for the state championships and set the still-standing SCHS school and SC county records in the 300m hurdles. He was also a league champion and CCS qualifier in the 110m hurdles and Triple Jump. He competed in college at Azusa Pacific University where he was a member of 2 national championship teams and was a 2-time All-American, running the 400m Hurdles and 1600m Relay. He is a USA Track & Field Level-2 Certified Coach in both the Sprint/Hurdle events and Endurance Events, a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist with the NSCA, and brings over 20 years of coaching experience at the high school, collegiate, club, and post-collegiate levels. He is currently an Assistant Athletics & Recreation Director for Fitness at UC Santa Cruz.
Pole Vault: Paul Friedenbach - Paul graduated from SCHS in 1990. He won the world masters championship in the pole vault in 2011 and the national masters championships in 2009 and 2010. He still holds the SCHS and county records in pole vault at 15’0". He pole vaulted at Fresno State for 4 years with a best mark of 16’10” and then competed in the decathlon for one year. Paul has been coaching in area for the last 10 years.
“Track and field has always been and always will be an inclusive sport. My goal is to introduce pole vault to as many kids as possible. My philosophy is to keep it fun and rewarding for all.”
High Jump: Raymond Silver -
(Updated - 2/22/20)
"I teach the positive aspects of having pride in yourself and giving your best effort in all you do."
Middle & Long Distance Events: Greg Brock - Greg has been running, racing, and coaching track for 41 years. He started his running career at Nortedel Rio High School in Sacramento where he competed in the California State Meet in the mile and 2 mile. He attended Stanford University and competed in cross country and distance track events. During his sophomore year, he placed 5th in the 10K (10,000 meters) at the NCAA championships and qualified for the 1968 Olympic Trials. He held records at Stanford University in the 2, 3, and 6 mile distances. Greg was also awarded with the distinguished Cross Country All-American award in 1968 and 1969 during his sophomore and junior years. After college, he went to the Olympic Trials in the 10,000 meters and the marathon, placing 5th in the marathon. In 2009, he coached Santa Cruz native Maggie Vessey to the 3rd best time in the world for the women’s 800 meters. Greg has a BA in Psychology from Stanford and a MA in Exercise Physiology from UC Santa Barbara and is USA Track & Field certified at Level 1 and Level 2 with an endurance emphasis.
“I love helping anyone improve their performances at any time in their lives. I coach appropriate to the age and experience level of the athletes. The best coaching is done on a collaborative level. I don’t dictate--and prefer to give advice and guidance to athletes by giving feedback during their journey. I am very proud to have advised a lot of people who have gone into coaching.”
Long & Triple Jump: Jim Meyer - Coach Meyer graduated from Santa Cruz HS in 1994. While at SCHS he qualified for the state championships and set the still-standing SCHS school and SC county records in the 300m hurdles. He was also a league champion and CCS qualifier in the 110m hurdles and Triple Jump. He competed in college at Azusa Pacific University where he was a member of 2 national championship teams and was a 2-time All-American, running the 400m Hurdles and 1600m Relay. He is a USA Track & Field Level-2 Certified Coach in both the Sprint/Hurdle events and Endurance Events, a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist with the NSCA, and brings over 20 years of coaching experience at the high school, collegiate, club, and post-collegiate levels. He is currently an Assistant Athletics & Recreation Director for Fitness at UC Santa Cruz.
Pole Vault: Paul Friedenbach - Paul graduated from SCHS in 1990. He won the world masters championship in the pole vault in 2011 and the national masters championships in 2009 and 2010. He still holds the SCHS and county records in pole vault at 15’0". He pole vaulted at Fresno State for 4 years with a best mark of 16’10” and then competed in the decathlon for one year. Paul has been coaching in area for the last 10 years.
“Track and field has always been and always will be an inclusive sport. My goal is to introduce pole vault to as many kids as possible. My philosophy is to keep it fun and rewarding for all.”
High Jump: Raymond Silver -
(Updated - 2/22/20)
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