Bria A.

I have experience coaching and training track and field athletes in both team and private settings, primarily specializing in hurdles, long jump, and triple jump.

During the 2025–2026 school year, I served as a volunteer coach at Bloom High School, where I coached the girls' long jump and triple jump athletes. Over the summer, I have coached at Lincoln-Way West's Speed Camp and Hurdle Camp, working with both boys and girls in grades 6–12 to develop speed, hurdle technique, and overall athletic performance.

In addition to team coaching, I have provided private training sessions throughout my time at Western Illinois University. I coached a 6th-grade hurdler on hurdle fundamentals and technique, and I have recently worked with a high school male decathlete, focusing on hurdle mechanics as well as the long jump.

I typically work with athletes in grades 6–12 and enjoy helping them build proper technique, confidence, and a strong foundation for long-term success in track and field.

I am an IHSA Certified Coach.

I have competed at both the NCAA Division I and Division II collegiate levels as a track and field athlete, specializing in the hurdles, long jump, and triple jump.

I began my collegiate career at Drury University on a track and field scholarship, where I competed for two years. During my time there, I broke six school records, earned four conference medals, and was named Freshman of the Year.

I later transferred to Western Illinois University on a track and field scholarship, where I continued competing at the Division I level. My experience competing in multiple NCAA divisions has given me a strong understanding of the technical, physical, and mental aspects of track and field, which I now apply when coaching athletes of all skill levels.

Clients can expect each session to be structured, technical, and tailored to their individual needs. I ask athletes to complete their warm-up before the session begins so we can maximize our full hour together focusing on skill development and performance.

During the first session, I evaluate the athlete's current technique, movement patterns, strengths, and areas for improvement. This assessment helps me create a training plan that addresses their specific needs rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.

I place a strong emphasis on technique because I believe proper mechanics are the foundation of success and injury prevention. My goal is to identify bad habits, explain why they occur, and replace them with efficient movement patterns that athletes can consistently replicate.

Most sessions begin with technical drills that break each movement down into smaller components. I demonstrate and explain what each movement should look and feel like so athletes understand not only what to do, but why they're doing it. Once the fundamentals are established, we progress into resistance exercises and speed-focused drills to reinforce proper mechanics under greater intensity.

For jumpers, sessions typically conclude with short-approach jumps to apply the techniques we've worked on. For hurdlers, we finish with block starts through one to three hurdles, allowing athletes to execute their mechanics at race speed while receiving immediate feedback.

At the end of each session, I provide athletes with drills and exercises they can complete on their own between sessions. Breaking old habits and developing new ones requires consistent repetition, so I want my athletes to continue reinforcing proper technique during their individual workouts. This helps maximize their progress and ensures they're improving even when we're not training together.

My coaching philosophy is to help athletes build confidence through consistent technical improvement, ensuring they leave each session with a clear understanding of what they accomplished, what to practice independently, and how to continue progressing toward their goals.