Sandy Lanning- Founder and President/ Head Gremlin and Bantam Coach
Sandy has always had a love for running starting at the young age of 3. She has been running and involved in the sport for 25 years. Prior to founding the Flying Phoenix Track Club, Sandy coached hurdles, Bantams and Gremlins with the Warriors and CTC Hawks. Sandy is a two time 4A State Champion in the 100 and 300 hurdles. She also competed in the competitive SEC Conference for Mississippi State University. She competed in sprints and hurdles during her time there. Sandy has a degree in Chemical Engineering and a Masters of Business Administration. She works as the Los Angeles Site Quality Manager for Eaton Corporation, Aerospace Division. Sandy does not have much free time but she loves supporting her two sons Alex and Khalil in all of their activities. Sandy wants to inspire all athletes to be the dream that they aspire to be. She hopes that every one of them can see their potential, gain a love for the sport, and RISE UP to any challenge they face and push through it. She is so excited about the upcoming season!
Coach Mike Teagardin- Head Distance Coach
Coach T started coaching youth distance runners in 2008 under coach Mike Falk of the Chatsworth Chiefs Track Club. After several years under his tutelage, Coach took over the distance program with the Chatsworth Chiefs and in 2012 became the Head coach of the Southern California Comets Cross Country team. It was with the 2014 Comet’s team that Coach was named AAU youth cross country coach of the year.Coach T has trained numerous All-Americans including 3 time National champion Sofia Abrego. In 2014 Coach began his High School coaching career running the distance program at Oakwood High School and in 2015 he became the Head coach of both the Middle and High School programs at Oakwood .In 2018, coach heard of a new team being organized near his home in Santa Clarita. After a few short meetings with Team President, Coach Sandy, it was clear that the philosophy of an athlete focused, family oriented team in the SCV was a mutual passion.In the 2018 cross-country season Coach T became a founding member of the Flying Phoenix track club.
Coach Andrea Francis- Head Sprint Coach
I am a USATF Level I, working toward Level II certification. My personal running background is long distance and I began club coaching with the distance program 14 years ago. In the last ten seasons, I’ve stayed on track and focused on sprints and the biomechanics of speed development. I’ve head age-group coached gremlin and bantam athletes in regular and post seasons for six years. While operating in a team environment, I seek to provide a differentiated program providing all athletes a safe platform from which to be challenged and grow.
Coach Tiffany Contreras- Assistant Gremlin and Bantam Coach
Coach Tiffany Contreras began running while she was in junior high, a star athlete in long distance running, competing in the mile and shotput events, earning a first place gold medal. She was an inspiration to her classmates and most of all to her older sister, who outgrew her asthma and became a college competitor in the 1500 meter, running a time of 5:28 seconds. Throughout the years, Coach Contreras has continued running on her off time while also supporting her four children. Today she has decided to contribute back to the sport which has been pivotal in shaping her character as well as taught her essential lessons of leadership, sacrifice and dedication.
Coach Jason Craig- Head Long Jump Coach and Age Group Coach
Jason was a 4 year varsity track athlete in high jump, triple jump and long jump. Jason was previously the long jump coach for CTC Hawks for 2 years. He received his degree in Political Science from Arizona State University. He works as Practice Technology Sr Analyst for Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP. In his free time Jason enjoys spending time with his daughter.
Coach Will Humphries- Head High Jump Coach
Coach Jeremy - Head Shot Put and Javelin Coach
Coach Joseph Lopez- Assistant Distance Coach
Coach Gabriel Perez- Assistant Coach