Kim Whitaker-Head Coach Boys-Jumps
University of Colorado, B.S. Physical Education
Oklahoma State University M.S. Behavioral Studies
Coach Kim is entering her 46th year of coaching which has been her greatest dream to coach and mentor young athletes. She has coached gymnastics, soccer and track & field athletes from age six to Olympians. This is her 11th year at Air Academy. Her college coaching career began at Oklahoma State University where she coached the 2002 NCAA D1 Regional Cross Country team champions and the 2003 NCAA D1 Indoor 5,000m National Champion and 2003 NCAA D1 Outdoor 5,000m runner-up. She also coached 2 All American throwers in the hammer and shot put. Her next college coaching/teaching was at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, an HBCU. Her outstanding achievements included a MEAC Team Conference Indoor championship, numerous conference champions, 4 Olympians, and the first ever D1 NCAA All American Shot putter from an HBCU. Her decathlete Jamahl Strahan was Senator Barack Obama’s Intern and is now a member of the Bahamian Parliament. Her Colorado high school coaching career boasts numerous State Champions, placers; as well as a Girl’s Team Championship and a Boy’s Team runner-up title. She is married to assistant football/track coach Clint Whitaker. They have 5 children and 13 grandchildren whom she enjoys their numerous activities.
Coach Clint “Peppie” Whitaker-Sprints, Jumps, Hurdles, Relays
Coach Whitaker is a proud graduate of Air Academy HS 1974, where he still holds the long and triple jump school records. He is in his 46th year of coaching track & field. In 1979 he ran a 10.31 100m and 20.90 in the 200m In 1980 ,Coach Whitaker had the furthest long jump on the planet 26’5”. He graduated in 1979 from the University of Missouri where he played Football and ran Track. He is married to Kimberly Balaz Whitaker, Head Boy’s Track Coach at Air Academy HS. They have 5 children and 13 grandchildren. He loves fishing and cooking for others. Here are some of his coaching highlights:
At CU Whitaker coached 6 NCAA D-1 All Americans including Kyle Hargett in the 400M- 45.60 and Torrey Barr Triple jump 54’ 1”
At UMCP Clint coached NCAA D-1 All Americans Marshelle Payne Triple jump- 43’9”
Kelvin Mcqueen 110M High Hurdles -13.86
At Colorado School of Mines coached 2 time D-2 All American Eric Stelmon 400 Hurdles
And the 4x100m relay to a school record 41.47
At Oklahoma State University Whitaker coached Sherita Jackson NCAA D-1 All American in the 200M-23.25
At The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Clint Coached 3 Olympians Allodin Fothergill (400 M-45.54) Akheem Gauntlett (440M45.00, 200M20.39) And Mikel Thomas 110HH-13.70)
Also Coached the women’s 4X100 M to D-1 Nationals 43.61 and the men’s 4X100M 39.76
At Colorado State University, Pueblo, Whitaker coached and worked with NCAA D-2 Champion Lauren Fairchile LJ-20’ 11”
Colorado High School coached High School 110M national champion Gerren Crochet-13.66. 6 State long & triple jump state champions. Boy’s runner-up Team Champions.
One of Coach Whitaker’s greatest achievements is over 100 HS athletes earning college scholarships to compete and study at the next level.
Coach Chuck Schwartz-Head Girl's Coach-Distance, Sprints, Relays
Coach Schwartz began running career in middle school in Sheridan, Arkansas, mainly to get in shape for other sports. He began his competitive running as a junior in high school. He received a Track/Cross Country scholarship to compete at University of Arkansas at Monticello upon high school graduation in 1985. UAM was a sprint power in the 1980s, so a year was spent learning methods of speed development. Transferred to Adams State College in 1986. Competed 1986-1991 for Adams State in Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field. Participated on 6 National Championship Teams and was the 1988 NAIA National Champion in the 3000m Steeplechase. Was a 2xAll-American before graduation. After College, ran 4 years for Reebok Racing Club and competed in TAC National XC Championships in 1986 and 1990 and the World XC Trials in 1992. Began high school coaching in 1994 at Doherty High School. Coached 20 years at DHS. Began coaching at Air Academy in 2016. Inducted into the Adams State Athletic Hall of Fame and the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Hall of Fame in 2016. He was named the 2017 CHSAA 4A Girls Track and Field Coach of the Year, the USTFCCCA 2022 Colorado Girls Cross Country Coach of the Year, the 2022 CHSAA 5A Girls Cross Country Coach of the Year, the 2023 USATFCCCA Colorado Girls Cross Country Coach of the Year, and 2023 USATFCCCA Girls Cross Country National Coach of the Year. Married to Charla and has 4 kids.
Doherty High School-20 years coaching Track and Cross Country at DHS.
Air Academy High School-7 years coaching Track and Cross Country at AAHS.
Coaching Highlights: 13 individual state champions, 2022 Colorado 5A Girls Cross Country State Champions (#7 in the US); 2017 Colorado 4A Girls Track and Field State Team Champions, 2023 Colorado 5A State Cross Country Team Champions, 2023 NXN Cross Country Team National Champions, 150+ state medalists over the years.
Cathi Webber-Assistant Coach-Distance
After coaching 18 years at Eagleview Middle School, Coach Webber joined the AAHS track and field staff. Coach Webber grew up playing ball sports and only dabbled in running. Post college she really caught the running bug and began competing in marathons and triathlons. Coach Webber has completed many Ironman distance triathlons, including competing in the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii twice. She now enjoys testing her limits on the trails, running ultra-distances. Coach Webber considers herself a passionate student of running and is excited to work with the team and reconnect with former athletes and students as they continue to develop their skills.
Highlights:
Competed in multiple Ironman triathlon races
Qualified and competed in the Ironman World Championships-twice (Hawaii)
Qualified and competed in the Boston Marathon-twice
Competed in 50 mile trail races-twice
Competed the Pikes Peak Ascent-twice
Traci Trimbach - Assistant Sprints/Relays Coach
Coach Trimbach started teaching at Air Academy in 2019. She has been an educator for over two decades. She ran track in high school and college as a sprinter. She has coached several middle school cross country teams and was an assistant head track coach for 13 years where she coached several state champion individuals and relays. One of the highlights of her coaching career was coaching the two athletes that broke her school records at her alma mater, CSCS.
Barry Clark - Assistant Coach-Throws
Coach Clark moved to Colorado in 2001 where he began teaching history at Air Academy. He has coached football, basketball, and track for 26 years. He has built a reputation of creating strong relationships that help athletes achieve their full potential. He has coached athletes to 5 school records in track and state championship games in basketball. What Coach Clark is most proud of is his family. His wife, Shannon, has been his biggest support and fan through the years. They have 5 kids: Jared, Payton, Liza, Sienna and Briley.