Coaches

Jim Chroninger, Head Coach and Shot Put Coach

...Jim Chroninger, known as Coach Chron, is in his 16th year (21st overall) teaching and coaching at Mt. View. In the classroom he teaches Health and Sport Psychology and on the track he coaches the shot put. While competing in Track and Field at Western Oregon University in the late 90s, he earned NAIA All-American honors in the Decathlon and High Jump.

He has been married to Lani Chroninger (also a teacher) for 19+ years and has 3 sons (Aiden, Cole, and Talan). They have lived in NE Bend for 16 years. His sons are at Lava Ridge, Sky View and Mountain View. Coach Chron loves spending time with his family, traveling, and coaching his sons in a variety of sports and activities.

Andy Young, Head Jumps Coach and Pole Vault Coach

Andy Young is in his 12th year coaching at Mountain View, where he focuses primarily on the Pole Vault. He previously coached at Bend High for 2 years where he worked with the distance runners. He is also in his 12th year teaching at MVHS, where he teaches Chemistry and AP Chemistry. In the early 2000s, he was a two-time Academic All-American at the University of Oregon in the decathlon and part of two Pac-10 championship teams after walking on mid-way through his Freshman year.

Coach Young has lived in Bend for 16 years with his wife Sara, a special education teacher at Elk Meadow Elementary, and two kids Sophie (7) and Max (5). Coach Young is an avid endurance athlete, participating in road and trail running, mountain biking, cyclocross, road riding and nordic skiing. He is passionate about kids being active in a variety of sports and gaining confidence and perspective.

Brandie Ross, Sprints Coach

Brandie Ross teaches Spanish at Mountain View, and joins our track team from Pilot Butte Middle School where she coached the past four years. She was born and raised in Bend, having ran track and and cross country for the Lava Bears. Brandie has since continued to run recreationally, making it an important part of her life in addition to practicing yoga, cross country skiing, hiking and backpacking.

Brandie is married to her husband Luke, also a native Bendite, and together they love to travel, go to country music concerts and spend time in the outdoors.

John Nosler, Long Jump and Triple Jump Coach

“John Nosler is in his 21th year coaching the horizontal jumps at Mt. View while running his family business in Bend. In college, “Noz “competed for Linfield, earning numerous accolades in both Football and Track and Field.

John’s family consists of his wife of 15 years Susie, son Chase (12 years old) and daughters Alli (10 years old), Ava (5 years old) & Olivia (3 year old).

When John isn’t coaching or running his business, you will find him with his family at one of the kids sporting events or on a worldwide adventure, as John has spent time on six continents.”

Taylor Vallerga, High Jump Coach

Coach Vallerga is an MV legend. He went to MVHS where he played football and ran track. He has been teaching and coaching (track and football) at MVHS for 22 years. He has coached multiple state qualifiers, district and state champions. When he is not teaching/coaching he enjoys time on any golf course.

James Miller, Throws Coach

Coach Miller is a graduate of Mountain View and currently coaching in his 18^thseason at his alma mater. During the day he works in various fields of Information Technology, but looks forward to his time out of the office, in the throws area. Coach Miller primarily focuses on Shot Put and has coached the other throwing events in the past. He truly loves sharing the intricate details of technique required to make implements fly far. As a Cougar supporter, he is also a volunteer mentor for the Mountain View Robotics Team.

He is married to his wife Heather, an Oregon Duck thrower, for the past 13 years. Together they are raising a couple of future throwers, 8 year old son JJ, and 6 year old daughter Amanda. They currently throw baseballs, rocks, sticks and the occasional fit.

Jim King, Assistant Jump Coach

This is Jim's 6th year coaching at Mountain View, he has been the jumps coach for Central Oregon Track Club for the past 8 years .Jim was a middle distance runner in High School and College

Jim and his wife Jacque have lived in Bend for 17 years They have a daughter Taylor and a son James. When not at work or coaching Jim loves to spend his time water skiing and snowmobiling.

John Swenson, Assistant Distance Coach

John is excited to help Carol McLatchie coach the 800, 1500 and 3000m runners. He was head XC & track distance coach at Ridgeview High for 3 years and before that coached track & XC at Sky View Middle School. He is in his 7^th year as a Mountain View track parent, with a daughter (Kelsey) who now runs for the University of Idaho & son (Kyle) currently running for the Cougars.

He is a huge track fan and runner for 30 years. He still likes to compete in his age group in local road & trail races, an active alternative to his career as a software tech writer. His wife Karen is a senior planner for the City of Bend.

Megan Gerfen, Pole Vault

Megan Gerfen was one of the first female pole vaulters in 1997 and went 10 ft as a masters athlete last summer. She thinks she still has the record for being the shortest vaulter in NCAA and competed for University of Arizona. She was inspired by other coaches who also competed as masters and hopes to pass on the joy of sport in the next generation. She has a diverse background in competing and coaching including gymnastics, Ms.Fitness competitions, martial arts, horse vaulting, and ice skating.

Coach Gerfen has lived in Bend since 2007 with her husband Michael, and two kids Maya (11) and Maz (6). They enjoy skiing, hiking, and camping.