Head Coach

• 6 years of coaching experience. USATF Level 1 Certified, SafeSport Certified, Jack Daniels VDOT Certified.

• Current Head Cross Country Coach and Assistant Track Coach at Palmer Ridge High School.

• Collegiate runner for XC/Track at the University of Colorado - Colorado Springs.

• Master’s in Sports Nutrition and Physiology. Thesis on Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs); Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Credential (RDN)

• Passionate about developing athletes to achieve their best through a combination of discipline and team culture.

Head Sprints/Jumps/Hurdles Coach & Assistant XC Coach

• 14 years of coaching experience, USATF Level 2 certified in Sprints, Jumps, and Relays.

• Specializes in coaching jumps, hurdles, and multi-event athletes.

• Current Head Track Coach at Palmer Ridge High School.

• Coached multiple National Qualifiers and All-Americans

Philosophy:

“Character, Class, and Work Ethic. If we can get athletes to care about themselves and others and put in the work, the lessons extend beyond the track into their lives.”

• Professional Runner, Air Force World Class Athlete Program (WCAP)

• 2021 “Happiest 4th Place Finisher” at the Olympic Trials.

• 2023 Pan American Games Silver medalist: 3000m Steeplechase.

• USATF Level 1 Certified.

• 5 years of coaching experience: LeTourneau University, University of Colorado - Colorado Springs, Palmer Ridge High School (current assistant coach).

• Collegiate runner: Cedarville University (BS Exercise Science, 4X All-American, 2017 Nat’l Champion 3K SC) and Indiana University (2X All-American).

• Loves to learn how the science supports the art of coaching.

• Happy to be the hype man. “SKO BEARS!”

Associate Head Coach

Zev Caiyem comes to Bears Track Club as an experienced and dedicated cross country and track coach with a strong background in competitive distance running. Most recently Coach Zev was the head assistant coach at Regis University in Denver where they continued to improve and place the highest in the RMAC meet in school history on the Men’s and Women’s side

Since 2020, Coach Zev has been the Head Cross Country and Distance Track Coach at Discovery Canyon High School. During his time with DCC, the Girls cross country teams have had impressive State Meet finishes, including 14th, 12th, 9th and 6th place finishes in Colorado. His efforts have also resulted in multiple top 10 finishes at the Colorado State Track Meet, in events ranging from 400m-3200m. Most notably in the fall of 2024 the DCC Girls team finished as a Nike Southwest All Region Team, under his guidance. 

As a former NCAA DII athlete and member of the Men’s Cross Country and Track teams at The University of Colorado in Colorado Springs, he brings firsthand experience and insight to his coaching with being a part of UCCS teams that finished 12th, 5th, 19th and 13th in the nation. Coach Zev brings over 14 years of competitive running experience, including 5 years of NCAA DII competition and 6 years of high school coaching, 

In addition to his role at Discovery Canyon High School, he was formerly a Volunteer Assistant Cross Country Coach at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs since July 2022, where he has contributed to the team’s success at the conference and NCAA Championships levels.

A UCCS alumnus, he studied a Bachelor of Science in Health and Wellness Promotion with a minor in Nutrition and was recognized on the President’s List in 2020

Coach Zev is passionate and committed to self-improvement and that is reflected in his own self-coached training for events ranging from the mile-to-marathon distances. He continues to train hard and is hopeful to chase the USA Olympic Marathon Trials qualification for 2028.