Coaches
Head Track & Field Coach
Rick Martinez, '83
Coaching Career: Mater Dei, 30th season (2024)
8 time OC Register Coach of the Year (’94 & ’04 & '11 & '12 & '13 & '14 & '18 & '22)
CIF Track & Field Coach of the Year ('14)
U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association State Coach of the Year ('14)
USATF Cross Country Specialist Certification, 2020
OC Girl Track Champions 2000, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018
OC Boy Track Champions 2012, 2021, 2022
CIF Girls Team Champions 2011, 2018
CIF Boys Team Champions 2014 & 2023
CIF State Boys Team Champions 2014
CIF Track Team Runner- up ’98 & ‘04 & '12 & '13 & '19 & '22
High School: Mater Dei - 1983 Mater Dei Athlete of the Year
CIF Cross Country Team Champion ‘81, CIF Cross Country Runner up ’80 and ‘82
CIF Track Team Runner up ‘83
Collegiate: UC Irvine - 3:42.20 1500m Personal Best
2nd All-Time UCI 1500m
1:51.20 800m Personal Best - 48.5 400m Personal Best - 14:26 500m Personal Best
2:55 1200m Personal Best - 23:56 8000m Personal Best
Track Assistant Coaches
Sam Collins, Sprints
Level I USA Track and Field Coaching Certification
400m Hurdler, competed for Santa Monica Track Club, personal best 50.54
1989 USA Track and Field Grand Prix Champion, 400m Hurdles
1988 U.S.A. Olympic Trials, 400m Hurdles
Cal State Long Beach, 2 x Conference and NCAA qualifier
National Junior Olympic 400m Hurdles 3rd place
Art Hinojosa '13, Jumps Coach
Mater Dei High School 2013
University of La Verne, 2014--2017
Team Captain from 2015--2017
Long Jump, High Jump, Triple Jump, and 4x100 relays
Rebecca Hamilton '08, Hurdle / PV Coach
Mater Dei High School 2004-2008
High School Events: 100m hurdles, 300m hurdles, 400m, Long Jump
Long Beach State: 2008-2012
College Events: Javelin, Long Jump, 100m hurdles, 400m hurdles, Heptathlon
2008-2012 Scholar Athlete Award
2010 Most Improved Book Scholarship Award Winner
PRESTON WALRATH - THROWS COACH
Preston Walrath's father also named Preston Walrath attended University of Oregon as a throws athletes. In 1969, Coach Walrath was born, and shortly thereafter began training in Shot and Discus. In 1984 For Wilson High School in Portland, Oregon, Coach Walrath went on to place in the City League Championships and move on to the state meet discus. After earning a varsity letter in three sports a, football, wrestling, and track, Coach Walrath moved on to another successful year as a sophomore, winning the city and placing in the state meet. Coach Walrath's family moved to southern California where he attended Capistrano Valley High School, hoping to build on the success of a super sophomore 1985 during his junior year football campaign, both of his shoulders suffered multiple dislocations and separations that required surgery on both. Undaunted Coach Walrath rehabbed and competed his junior and senior years, throwing well at times and competing at the highest local levels. Coach Walrath earned a division one scholarship and started for the UNLV Running Rebels in football as a center and played in Europe and Arena Football. At the conclusion of his football career, he began coaching at Saddleback College both football (Offensive and Defensive Line, Strength and Conditioning, Shot Put, Discus, Javelin, and Hammer), 2000-2007. Currently Coach Walrath teaches for Orange County Department of Education, in San Juan Capistrano. Coach Walrath coached for many years at Santa Margarita High School. Coach Walrath is married to Marie and has a daughter Siena and resides in Rancho Santa Margarita.
Ellie Nisbet - Assistant Distance Coach
Ellie earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology & Brain Sciences from UCSB, where she ran cross country and track and field for the Gauchos, and deepened her passion for running. Currently, she is pursuing a Master's degree in Psychological Research at Cal State, Fullerton, while also working towards her certification as a Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC). Within these pursuits, Ellie is completing coursework in sport psychology, and contributing to a mental health research lab. Her thesis centers around the exploration of Student-Athlete mental health, reflecting her dedication to supporting and enhancing the well-being of athletes.
Vince O’Boyle, Recruiting Consultant
20 time Big West Conference Coach of the Year
Inducted into the Mt. SAC Relays Hall of Fame 2010
12 Big West Conference titles in Women's Cross Country.
7 Big West Conference titles in Men's Cross Country.
18 Individual Big West Men and Women Cross Country champions.
10 NCAA All-Americans in Cross Country - 15 NCAA All-Americans in Track & Field.
USA Head Coach Women's Cross Country Team - 1992 World Championships