Coaches

Yesenia Benjamin - Girls' head coach

Coach Benjamin has been with Parkhill High School since 2022 as a Math teacher. Coach Benjamin coached for four years at Kearney High School as the assistant girls’ cross country coach. In 2024, she joined the Park Hill Boys Cross Country team as the Girls Head Cross Country Coach.

Coach Benjamin got her start in distance running as a sophomore in high school when she joined her school’s cross country team. After graduating high school, Benjamin continued her running career at the University of Central Missouri competing in Cross Country, and Track as a collegiate athlete. After graduating college, Benjamin has continued her love for running by coaching others towards growing the same passion for long distance running.

One of Coach Benjamin’s favorite memories of high school was running cross country to be able to find a passion to call hers. As a coach, Benjamin hopes to lead others to the same passion.

Email: benjaminy@parkhill.k12.mo.us

nick gardner - boys' head coach

Coach Gardner has been with Park Hill High School since 2016 as a Science teacher. In 2018 he joined the Park Hill Boys Cross Country team as an assistant coach under Jon Milholland. During the 2021-2022 school year Coach Gardner took over as Head Coach of the boys Cross Country team and distance coach in track.

Coach Gardner got his start in distance running as a sophomore in high school when he joined his school's cross country team. After graduating high school he ran and coached for the Mizzou running club from 2012 - 2015. Throughout his running career Coach Gardner has competed in distances ranging from 800m to 40 miles in length. His dream goal is to finish the Hardrock 100 endurance run.

One of Coach Gardner's best memories of high school was his time as a part of the school's Cross country team. As a coach he hopes to pay it forward and bring some of that same experience to his runners.

Email: gardnern@parkhill.k12.mo.us

derrienne gaar - girls' assistant coach

Coach Gaar is a Park Hill High School alumni, with an athletic career that included four years as a cross country and track athlete. Entering her third year as a cross country assistant coach, Coach Gaar also just recently graduated Nursing School, and is also working as an RN at North Kansas City Hospital.

After a break from running following graduation from high school, Coach Gaar has recently returned to running and completed two 10k's last years, and is completing a 10k and half marathon this year.

One of Coach Gaar's favorite memories in high school was running cross country to be able to have an outlet from everything else. As a coach, it is important to try to do the same thing for the team.

Email: gaard@parkhill.k12.mo.us

Cooper Bayiha - Boys' Assistant coach

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