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Carol and her husband Ken
Coach Carol Leandro- Head Coach
Carol Leandro is a licensed Physical Therapist with over 20-years experience, currently helping lead an outpatient practice in Ojai, CA. She was raised in Southern California and received her BA in Aquatic Biology from the University of California Santa Barbara. After college, she served as a United States Peace Corps volunteer in the Eastern Carribean where she created and led community education projects. She then earned her Masters of Physical Therapy from Cal State University Northridge.
Carol coached for the Ventura Tigres Youth Track Club for eight years and started a middle school XC team at Oak Grove School. She is a long time member of the Ventura Running Tribe. She has been a part of the Dragons coaching staff since 2021. Carol is the grateful mother of Carly (FTHS '20) and Chance ('25), and she enjoys running, weight training, yoga and mountain biking. In her free time, she fills it.
Contact info: carol.leandro@venturausd.org
Coach Chris Mendez - Head Sprint Coach, Head high jump Coach
Chris was born and raised in Ventura, CA and attended St. Bonaventure where he played football and ran track and field. He is a dedicated and loving husband to Erin (Anacapa Middle School Teacher) and father to his son Cannon (VHS ’22), and two daughters Ryan (VHS ’23) and Peyton (VHS ’25).
He has been serving as a local volunteer track coach with the Ventura Tigres for 11 years, the program where he competed as a child for 6 years and where his love of the sport developed. He loves coaching high jump, sprints and relays.
With a strong passion for athletics and a heart for helping young athletes grow and reach their full potential, he hopes he can make a positive impact on athletes of all ages. He loves to challenge athletes while also building their self-confidence and encouraging their personal growth. His supportive and encouraging coaching style has earned him the respect and admiration of the athletes and their families. He truly loves track and field and his selflessness and commitment to the sport and the young athletes make him a valuable asset to the program.
Contact info: chrismendez26@hotmail.com
Coach Nathaniel Russell- Hurdles, Vault
Coach Nathaniel Russell- Hurdles, Vault
Nathaniel Russell has been a Track and Field athlete since 2015 and is an alumni of both Foothill Tech and George Fox University’s track programs. He focussed largely on the pole vault through his high school and collegiate careers but eventually switched to being a Decathlete. As of writing this he has now competed at a post collegiate level in 16 out of Track and Field’s 19 official individual events (everything except hammer, steeplechase, and 10K). After studying Computer Science in college, Nathaniel now works as a Software Developer here in Ventura. In his free time he also enjoys board games, video games, disc golf, and exploring the outdoors.
Nathaniel Russell has been a Track and Field athlete since 2015 and is an alumni of both Foothill Tech and George Fox University’s track programs. He focussed largely on the pole vault through his high school and collegiate careers but eventually switched to being a Decathlete. As of writing this he has now competed at a post collegiate level in 16 out of Track and Field’s 19 official individual events (everything except hammer, steeplechase, and 10K). After studying Computer Science in college, Nathaniel now works as a Software Developer here in Ventura. In his free time he also enjoys board games, video games, disc golf, and exploring the outdoors.
Coach Jason Dinkler - Specialty Coach
Coach Dinkler has been at Foothill Technology for the last 20 years, teaching tenth grade English and coaching both track and cross country. He brings an extensive cross-training background to the program, having competed in swimming and water polo in high school and college and competing in marathons and triathlons. He continues to stay active in the running community by racing throughout Southern California. He has coached both youth and high school level athletics for the last twelve years.
Contact info: jason.dinkler@venturaedu.org
In Memoriam
Coach Mike Russell -
Coach Russell ran track at UCSB from 1975-1977. He was a high jumper, a 16’ pole vaulter and a team captain while attending the university. Mike taught math at Ventura High School and served as head coach with their successful Track & Field team during the 1980s. Mike was a compassionate leader and a gentleman in every aspect of his life. He was a talented teacher, a gifted coach and a mentor to so many of us in the track and field community. He led his life with dignity and he impacted the lives of his athletes in profound ways, literally helping them to reach new heights in both pole vault and high jump. In his honor and in his name, the Foothill Track and Field program will establish an annual scholarship to recognize an outstanding athlete who competes in both track and field events for the Foothill Dragons. We will be forever grateful for the contributions and the impact that he has made at our school.
In Memoriam
Coach Charlie Feyh -
Coach Feyh was a longtime youth coach, with over 30 years of experience coaching teams with the Ventura Youth Basketball Association, Ventura Nets, and Ventura Force and was a founding member of Ventura Breakers Youth Basketball Club. He coached cross country for Ventura Zephyrs and Ventura Tigres and served as coach and president of the Ventura Girls Track Club. He ran 41 marathons and eight ultra-marathons.
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