Team Members

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 committed to play football at the Air Force Academy in Fall'25. His youngest son remains a proud member of Heart of Houston. Coach Campbell is USATF background-checked and SafeSport compliant.

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 the University of Southern California 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 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.

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 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 Natareno is USATF background-checked and SafeSport compliant.

Coach Tiffani Tatum is a Houston native. Her passion for sports and athletics was sparked early; she was an ardent basketball and track & field athlete, ultimately focusing on running. Tiffani was a sprinter, specializing in the 200m at the University of Notre Dame, where she was known for her relentless pursuit of personal and team success.

Coach Tatum's coaching philosophy is to focus on the entire athlete, inclusive of their physical and mental well-being. For the past five years, Tiffani has dedicated herself to mentoring young sprinters, instilling in them the same passion and drive that propelled her to success. She specializes in sprinter mechanics and abdominal strength, two critical components of sprinting, which are her coaching focus.

Even beyond the track, Coach Tatum is a mentor who fosters a supportive and empowering environment, encouraging her athletes to strive for excellence in all aspects of life. Her son is a proud member of Heart of Houston. Coach Tatum is USATF background-checked and SafeSport compliant.

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 eagerly anticipates his seventh marathon this coming January. Coach Waymel also looks forward to one day conquering an Ironman, though he recognizes the need to build his strength and confidence in open water swimming, an essential component of this formidable event.

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.