Andy McDonald--Head Coach

Coach Andy is in his fifth year coaching for the Gold Rush and third as head coach. His first two years as head coach resulted in numerous regional qualifiers and national qualifiers and the expansion of the Gold Rush team. Andy is also a former Gold Rush athlete, competing for the club from 2003-2005. He is a 2007 graduate of Thomas B. Doherty High School in Colorado Springs where he ran varsity cross country and track for four years. Andy is currently a senior at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, where he ran cross country and track for the Horned Frogs for two years, competing at the 2007 Mountain West Conference Cross Country Championship before injuries forced him into a role as a coaches assistant. Andy will graduate in the spring of 2011 with a degree in history and political science.

 

Michelle Snow--Assistant Coach

Michelle joins the coaching staff in 2010 for her first summer as a Gold Rush coach. A 2007 graduate of Colorado Springs Christian School, Michelle was a seven-time varsity letter recipient in track and cross country for the Lions. She currently attends the University of Northern Colorado where she competed as a member of the Bears cross country team for one year before becoming a coaches assistant. Michelle also brings valuable athletic training abilities to the club, as she has been an athletic trainer at UNC for a year and a half. Additionally, she has served as an athletic trainer for Athletes in Action both in the United States and internationally.

 

Doug Volle--Assistant Coach

Doug is in his first year as a coach for Gold Rush. In high school, he was a member of The Classical Academy cross country and track teams where he helped the Titans win numerous league and regional champions in addition to being an integral part of the 2004 and 2006 3A Cross Country State Championship teams. Doug graduated from TCA in 2007 and, this fall, will begin his senior year at Purdue University in Indiana where he is studying Movement and Sports Science. He is also actively involved with The Navigators and Navy ROTC at Purdue.

 

Joni Raile--Assistant Coach (Sprints) 

Joni is in her first year as a coach for Gold Rush after competing for the club in 2006. She has been involved in track and field for many years and was a crucial member of the track team at James Irwin Charter High School in Colorado Springs. During her time at James Irwin, Joni placed at the Colorado State Meet her sophomore, junior, and senior years in the 100, 200, and 400 meter dashes. After her high school career, Joni trained with the track program at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs before deciding to devote more time to academics. Currently, Joni is a junior at UCCS, where she still runs for personal enjoyment. Outside of school, Joni also volunteers at her church.