Head Coach of the Asheville Lightning since 1997 after previously serving as an  assistant coach. An active runner who regularly participates in local road races,  Coach Agrella has been coaching Junior Olympics since the late 1980's when he was first involved with the program in San Antonio, Texas and later with the  Nebraska Cornhuskers Track Club.   His coaching area of expertise is middle distance, distance and 4x800 relay teams.

A USATF Level 1 Coach, Coach Albrecht has been an Asheville Lightning coach since 2005. He is also an assistant coach at Tuscola High School, Waynesville Middle School and other Waynesville area schools.

A USATF Level 1 Coach, Coach Brewer has been a jumps coach for the Asheville Lightning since 2002. He is also an assistant coach for A.C. the Reynolds High School track teams.

Coach Dawson-Smith ran track as a junior and senior in high school, and continued running for her first two years of college. She competed as a sprinter and long jumper, and was co-captain of her college women’s team. She has one child participating in the Asheville Lightning program, and enjoys bringing her experience and enthusiasm for the sport to the coaching staff.

Team Treasurer and Assistant Team Administrator since 1997.  Her daughter Stephanie was a former star distance runner with the Asheville Lightning.

Assistant Team Administrator since 2007. Coach Lipe believes in the need to instill a love of running and athletics to form a balanced and healthy lifestyle for children. She has been around track and cross-country athletes since her high school days, and appreciates the dedication necessary to be an athlete, as well as the logistics required to have a successful track and field team.

Competition Experience: Since 1978: 5K, 10K, 20K Half-Marathons, Full Marathons, Sprint Triathlons, Olympic Distance Triathlon, Half Ironman. Consistently ranked in top 5 and 10% of age groups.
 

A USATF Level 1 hurdles and hurdles coach with the Asheville Lightning since 1993, Coach Pantas is also a sprints/hurdles coach for A.C. Reynolds High School and has had over 120 Conference and State Champions  in the hurdles (see his website Great Hurdlers I Have Coached). His recent success with All-Americans Cade Liverman and Kris Fant is highlighted on Hurdles First .

A USATF Level 1 coach, Coach Pearce is the head track & field, and cross country  coach for A.C. Reynolds Middle School.

Assistant coach for the Asheville Lightning since 2009. Sprints coach for Asheville High School. Previously coached track & field at Ronald McNam HS (6 years) and Asheville Middle School (2 years). Coached Special Olympics (5 years). Has held multiple school records in the sprints during his competition years: Olympic High School -200M Dash (21.3), 400M Dash (48.5) records; South Carolina State University -100M Dash (10.18), 200M Dash (20.7), 400M Dash (45.8). Also ran on numerous national-class sprint relays in his college career. Member of the South Carolina State University track & field hall of fame.

Head Team administrator for the Asheville Lightning 1997-2009.  Her son Drew was a former All-American distance runner for the Asheville Lightning.

Head Coach A.C. Reynolds High School Boys Team since 2000.  Also Throws Coach for A.C. Reynolds Boys and Girls. Coached Christina Hernandez (6-time North Carolina High School State Champion in the discus and shot put.) 

Founded the Blue Ridge Track Club Junior Olympics Team in 1991 which eventually became the Asheville Track Club Junior Olympics Team and then the Asheville Lightning.   Head cross country coach at Cane Creek Middle School. Ran Cross Country, Marathon and Steeplechase at the University of Florida; 2-time Boston Marathon participant; Marathon PR 2:25; Cross Country Head Coach  at Brunner Junior High School, 1983; A.C. Reynolds Middle School Boys and Girls Teams, 1988-1999, and  Head Cross Country Coach Asheville Lightning, 2005.