The Heart of Our Coaching
Coach Chris Campbell- Co-founder/Sprints
Coach Chris Campbell is a native of Waco, Texas, where he was a dual threat on Connally High School's track and football teams, along with graduating as Valedictorian. Chris’s academic and athletic career continued at Southern Methodist University, where he was a starting member of the Mustang football team as well as an Accounting major. Coach Campbell currently holds both a CPA license and a CFA designation, and expects his athletes to dedicate as much time to their studies as their sports. Even though Coach Campbell has run the San Francisco marathon, he works with Heart of Houston's sprinters. He prides himself on his tough but fair coaching style, demanding the best from every athlete he works with. Coach Campbell has coached all three of his sons to become Junior Olympic All-Americans, with one currently playing football at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. His youngest son remains a proud member of Heart of Houston. Coach Campbell is USATF background-checked and SafeSport compliant.
Coach Andrea Campbell- Co-founder/Sprints/Distance/XC
Coach Andrea Campbell was born in Germany and raised in Miami, Florida. Andrea graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with a degree in Education. As a former schoolteacher, she brings her passion for children to the track. She possesses over 25 years of coaching experience, during which time she honed her skills for mentoring young athletes. Among her many accomplishments, Andrea served as the director of a pilot site for the NYC Road Runners Foundation, where she played a pivotal role in shaping the program's success. Her coaching philosophy centers around fostering a supportive and empowering environment for her athletes, encouraging them to strive for excellence both on and off the track. She has coached all three of her sons to become Junior Olympic All Americans in multiple events, with one going on to compete at the collegiate level. Her youngest son remains a proud member of Heart of Houston. Coach Campbell is USATF Level 1 certified, USATF background-checked and SafeSport compliant.
Coach Ken Cruz- Distance/XC
Coach Ken Cruz originally hails from New York, where his passion for running was developed. He quickly found success as a middle-distance runner. His proven ability and commitment to the sport landed him at UCLA as an 800 meter specialist on the Track & Field team, where he showcased his remarkable talent. Ken's roots in New York instilled in him a sense of resilience and determination, qualities that have greatly influenced his coaching philosophy. Over the past ten years, Ken has mentored countless athletes, guiding them to achieve their personal best and fostering a spirit of teamwork and perseverance. Ken's daughter continues the family legacy as an athlete with the Heart of Houston Track & Field Club, and is a Junior Olympic All American several times over. Coach Cruz is USATF background-checked and SafeSport compliant.
Coach Amy Saint-Mendoza- Distance/XC
Coach Amy Swint-Mendoza is a Houston native and an avid runner with a lifelong passion for the sport. Her running journey began in her youth when she participated in track, proudly competing as a Junior Olympian. Those early experiences laid the foundation for a lifetime of running adventures. Amy continues to be a dedicated runner, hitting the pavement daily, to feed the joy and solace she finds in the rhythm of her runs. She also enjoys competing in local fun runs with her son. It's a wonderful way to share her passion and create lasting memories. Amy holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and a Master’s in Occupational Therapy (MOT), a background that gives her a deep understanding of the human body and how to keep it moving efficiently and healthily. Coach Swint's son is a Junior Olympic All American for both track and Cross country multiple times over, and plans to run in the Olympics one day. He is also a proud member of Heart of Houston. Coach Swint is USATF Level 1 certified, USATF background-checked and SafeSport compliant.
Coach Emmanuel Waymel- Sprints/Distance/XC/Jumps
Coach Emmanuel Waymel was born and raised in France. He is a dedicated secondary school teacher with a profound passion for sports, currently serving as one of the Middle School XC coaches for The Awty School, where he guides young athletes in pursuit of excellence. The Barcelona Olympics inspired Coach Waymel to start running long distances regularly. This passion has driven Coach Waymel to pursue marathon running, and he has completes seven so far. Coach Waymel has also recently conquered an Ironman, completing the Woodlands event last month. Coach Waymel has an unwavering commitment to fostering athletic talent and inspiring the next generation of athletes. He is proud to have a daughter, a Junior Olympic All American in both track and cross country, who runs for the club. Coach Waymel is USATF Level 1 certified, USATF background-checked and SafeSport compliant.
Coach Sammy Miller- Javelin
Coach Sammy Miller is a native Houstonian. He specializes in Javelin and is dedicated to nurturing and developing young athletes, particularly those aged 12 and under. Sammy's passion for coaching was ignited by his own children, who he trained, witnessing firsthand the transformative power of focused, dedicated coaching. This personal journey reached a pinnacle when his son achieved All-American honors in javelin, a testament to his effective training methods and commitment. With a specialization in training with the turbo javelin, Sammy's approach is rooted in building a strong foundation for future success in the sport. The turbo javelin is designed to help beginners learn the basics of javelin throwing in a safe and manageable way. His philosophy is built on three core principles: proper technique, safety, and fostering a genuine love for the sport. He understands that confidence and enjoyment are essential for young athletes to thrive. By fostering a supportive atmosphere, he helps his athletes build self-esteem and develop their skills in a nurturing setting. Sammy’s son and daughter are proud members of Heart of Houston Track & Field Club. He is USATF background-checked and SafeSport compliant.
Coach Kevin Cox- Sprints/Distance/XC
Coach Kevin M. Cox is originally from Memphis, Tennessee, and has proudly called Houston home for the past 13 years. A graduate of Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Kevin was a standout student-athlete on the baseball team, helping lead the Jaguars to a conference championship. During his collegiate career, he earned multiple All-Conference honors, both academically and athletically, and was recognized as a Baseball All-American. He later earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Louisiana State University. Kevin’s passion for coaching and youth development began through his involvement with his two daughters, Kay and Klair, who are active members of Heart of Houston. Both girls compete in track, cross-country, and golf, which has deepened his appreciation for the discipline and dedication young athletes bring to their sports. As a coach, Kevin believes in the power of consistency and character, often reminding athletes that “Hard work works.” His philosophy centers around faith, focus, and fun. He believes in encouraging kids to embrace the process, show up every day with intention, and become better both on and off the track. Outside of coaching, Kevin serves as a project manager and is actively involved in the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He also enjoys playing the saxophone, balancing his love for music with mentorship and community leadership. Kevin has been married to his wife, Shena, for 13 years, and together they take great pride in raising their daughters and supporting the Heart of Houston family. Coach Cox is proud to serve wherever he’s needed, helping to shape the next generation of confident, disciplined, and inspired young athletes. Coach Cox is USATF Level 1 certified, USATF background-checked and SafeSport compliant.
Coach Chiqui Sanchez-Kennedy- Distance/XC
Coach Chiqui Sanchez Kennedy was born in Barcelona, Spain and raised in Galveston, Texas. She is a lifelong runner who also dabbled in various sports competitively. Chiqui got the running bug as a 6-year-old child after running alongside her dad on the Galveston seawall. In law school, her dad inspired her to run marathons, and she hasn’t looked back. Chiqui enjoys running high mileage, constantly chasing a new PR in the marathon. Chiqui’s children are wonderfully unique, and love soccer, track and cross country. She is proud of their hard work and dedication to competitive running. Her daughter was an All-American at the 2025 Junior Olympics and has set high goals for the future. Her son is a new runner, determined to beat his “last week self” every time he goes for a run. While Chiqui’s oldest daughter is not a runner, she graciously puts up with the other runners in the family, often joining them at practice. Through running, her children have developed tremendously, both on and off the track. Chiqui is passionate about working with Heart of Houston’s athletes because they consistently run with grit and heart, they uplift their teammates, and they pride themselves on inclusivity. Coach Chiqui is USATF Level 1 certified, USATF background-checked, and SafeSport compliant.
Coach Jimmy Friday- Discus/Sprints/XC
Jimmy Friday brings a unique blend of athletic achievement, business expertise, and personal growth to his coaching. In high school, he was an All-State thrower in shot put and discus and Junior Olympic champion, graduating third in his class while earning All-American honors in football. His athletic focus continued at the University of Notre Dame, where he was a three-year monogram winner and two-year starter for the Fighting Irish football team.
With an MBA from the University of Houston, Jimmy has built a successful career as a business consultant and now marketing leader for a Fortune 500 tech company. A certified executive coach, he is passionate about guiding individuals and teams to realize their potential, grounded in his core belief that everyone already has everything inside of them to be successful. He regularly reminds his kids (it’s on their wall so they see it constantly) that the plan to success, is made up of 4 things:
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Focus on What's Important Now (W.I.N.)
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Finish what you started
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Always try your best
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Practice, Practice, and MORE PRACTICE
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Always show kindness
Fully USATF background-checked and SafeSport compliant, Jimmy creates a safe and empowering environment to help athletes grow in confidence, character, and capability.
Coach Mynor Natareno- Shot Put/Sprints/XC
Coach Mynor Natareno was born in Guatemala City, Guatemala, and raised in Houston, Texas. He is an avid runner with a lifelong passion for sports, which he credits with helping him overcome life’s challenges, including the demands of the annual busy season in his accounting career.
He is also a devoted father of three young boys, all of whom are nationally ranked athletes. His oldest competes in distance events, his middle son specializes in throwing events, and his youngest focuses on the long jump while also developing as a sprinter. Two of his sons have earned Junior Olympian status in multiple events.
Coach Natareno specializes in shot put and is dedicated to developing young athletes, particularly those aged 12 and under. Coach Natareno is USATF background-checked and SafeSport compliant.
Coach Marcus Rucker- Sprints
Bio coming soon!
Coach Christien Nabors- Sprints/Conditioning
Bio coming soon!
Coach Courtney Harris- Sprints/Hurdles
Bio coming soon!
Coach Zach Ellis- Hurdles
Bio coming soon!