RANCHO CORDOVA TRACK CLUB COACHING STAFF

The Rancho Cordova Track Club has a very high standard that is expected from our coaches.  We encourage our coaches to attend USATF Level I Certification  and adhere to tenants of the Positive Coaching Alliance.  We follow the USATF Safesport Handbook, and all coaches are Safesport cleared, with background checks and training. Our coaching staff is large with many experiences - from Olympic talent to youthful enthusiasm.  Our coaching philosophy is science informed, coach focused and athlete centered.

Coaches David Sander & Jay Devlin with RCTC Athletes who earned a spot at the USATF Junior Olympics in 2022.

OUR TEAM

HEAD COACH: JAY DELVIN

Bio: I grew up in Long Island, NY. I served in the US Army as an Infantry Rifle Team Leader where I was honorably discharged. I have now lived in California for over 10 years.  I am the proud father of Gabriella who has loved being on the team (because I said so...). I have earned a Bachelor's in Business Management and a Master's in Business Administration (MBA). I have had the pleasure of coaching Track & Field for 8 years at St. John Vianney School and am now on my 2nd season as a coach here at RCTC. I also coach or have coached Cross Country, Basketball, Flag-Football, Lacrosse and Soccer. I served as the Athletic Director at St. John Vianney School in Rancho Cordova for 3 years. I have had the distinguished honor of being a part of winning and record-breaking teams. I have had the opportunity to work with great coaches and mentors over the years. I absolutely enjoy helping young athletes meet and exceed their goals and expectations. My coaching certifications include USATF Level I, Lifetime Play Like a Champion (all sports), NCJLA Level I (Lacrosse), First Aid, CPR, Blood Borne Pathogen, Heads-up Concussion and Combat Lifesaver Course.

THROWS HEAD COACH: David sander pH.D.

Bio: I'm a 20+ year resident of Rancho Cordova, and a scientist, community leader, father, husband and youth coach.  My education is in science, and I have a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology with research in Virology.  I enjoy biking, traveling and helping our youth achieve in athletics to prepare them for life and enhance their academic and life success.   I have coached elementary, middle school and high school athletes, winning championships and breaking records while watching kids flourish with newfound confidence and abilities.  I'm an Assistant Track Coach at Jesuit High School, and at St. Francis High School, and also a Track Coach at St. John Vianney School here in Rancho Cordova.   I have earned Level 2 Throws Coach Certification with USA Track and Field (USATF), have extensive training with the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA), Play Like a Champion, and the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS).  I'm also a certified USATF Official.  My throwing claim to fame is that I was coached by the truly great George Woods - a three-time Olympian who competed in shot put and won two silver medals.  I have coached youth athletes for over a decade, and taken some throwers all the way to the Junior Olympics, All-American Status and D1 collegiate athletics.

THROWS COACH: ALEX KNUDSEN, M.S.

Bio: Growing up in central California, I attended Delta College and California State University Stanislaus, where I competed in hammer throw events.  I was named a California All-State Hammer Thrower at the junior college level.  I went on to earn a Masters Degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion from California University of Pennsylvania.  I do a lot of private throws coaching, and am the Assistant Track and Field Coach (Throws) and an Instructor at Delta College.  I am a USATF Level 2 Throws Coach, a U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCA) Strength and Conditioning Coach & Throws specialist, and a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Performance Enhancement Specialist.

THROWS COACH: ANDY BLOOM

Bio: Andy Bloom represented the United States in the 2000 Olympic Games in the shot put, finishing in 4th place.  He also represented the USA in the 1997 (discus), 1999 (shot put and discus), and 2001 (discus) World Championships.  He was the 1999 and 2000 USA Indoor Champion in the shot put and won the 1996 titles in the shot put and discus.  His highest world ranking was 2nd in the world in the shot put in 2000.  With lifetime PRs of 21.82 (71’7 ¾”) and 68.46 (224’ 7”) he ranks among the farthest combined shot put and discus throwers ever.  He has coached track at both the college and high school level and was the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at UC Davis, in Davis CA from 2001 to 2008, where he worked with 27 sports and over 700 athletes.  Andy teaches math and is a track coach at Dixon High School.

SPRINTS ADVISOR: ANTHONY "AD" DAVIS

Bio: Anthony "AD" Davis is Cordova High School's (CHS) new Head Track Coach. AD grew up in Rancho Cordova, where he also graduated HS. He Participated in football and track & field for CHS. Before coming back to "give back to the community that helped him," he graduated from Fresno State. Since 2015, AD has been an assistant football & track coach at Cordova High School where he has deepened his knowledge of both athletic programs and built strong connections with students and staff. In addition to his service at the High School level, AD is part of the Jr. Lancers coaching staff. AD is known for having an enthusiastic and strong work ethic, that inspires students to achieve success on the track and in the classroom.

THROWS COACH: HENRY SHAROYAN

Bio: I attended Sacramento City Junior College where I competed in shotput, discus, and hammer. I was named a Junior college All-American in shotput and recruited to Sacramento State. I am currently the throws coach at Ponderosa High School as well as the Rancho Cordova Track Club.

THROWS COACH: TRAVIS JOHNSON

Bio: Coach Johnson competed in the shot put and discus at Elk Grove High School and Sacramento City College before playing offensive line at Sacramento State.  He is currently the shot put coach at Miwok Oaks Middle school. He believes athletics are a key part of building community and is committed to supporting our young athletes as they work to reach their full potential.

THROWS COACH: JOHN BADOVINAC

John Badovinac has extensive experience as a coach and as an athlete. He is a throws coach at Sacramento City College, St. Francis High School, and Jesuit High School. Badovinac is a local product of Sacramento, graduating from Jesuit High School and then competing for the UC Berkeley Bears. He was the Junior National Champion in the Hammer Throw in 1998, which earned him a prestigious spot on the USA Junior World Championships team. Badovinac holds a Level 2 certification from USATF, along with certification from USA Weightlifting.  

MIDDLE DISTANCE COACH: IAN SEARCY

HURDLES, SPRINTS & MULTIS COACH: NANCY SEARCY

Bio: As a kid with an Army dad, I grew up in various places in the United States.  Indiana,  Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Texas, and Illinois were all places I called home before coming to California.  Although I lived in many different places, I consider  my hometown to be Palatine, Il.  That's where we moved to after my dad finished his service in the Army.   I graduated fromPalatine High School in 2002 and went on to college at Central Michigan University where I had been recruited as a heptathlete for track and field.  Athletics paved the way to higher education for me. After two years at CMU, I transferred to California State University Sacramento to follow my amazing coach, Kathleen Raske, and an opportunity to compete next to some of the best athletes in track and field.    Eventually, I went on to be an NCAA qualifier in the 100m hurdles placing 19th in the nation and eventually competed for two seasons with the Puerto Rican National Team. I laid down my track spikes after missing the mark to qualify for the Puerto Rican Olympic team in order to pursue a career in teaching. I've coached privately, and as an assistant at Sac State. I have two wonderful children Phoenix (9) and Christian (12) who will be trying Track out for the first time this year. I am married to my multi-talented husband of 17 years, Ian Searcy,  who will be joining me to help coach your athletes this season.

YOUTH THROWS COACH: ISABELLA POPEJOY

Bio: Isabella Popejoy is a throwing phenom at Delta College, where she has set records and won many meets - recently placing First in the Big 8 Conference Championship with a hammer throw of 49.99m.  She is moving on to UC Berkeley squad next season. Our youth get the benefit of her extensive Track and Field experience, as Izzy practically grew up on the track!  

ADDITIONAL COACHES

Assistant Head Coach (Track & Field)  Adam Mahoney
Assistant Head Coach (Track & Field) 
Charleton Mahoney  
Youth Throws Coach
Dana Greer
Sprints & Long Jump Coach
Devin Greer
Youth High Jump, Turbo Jam Coach
Gabriella Devlin  
Youth Long Jump Coach
Tristan Wolf
Youth Long Jump Coach
Alyssa Nguyen