Our Coaches
The Colts coaches have years of experience working with runners of all ages. They are each life-long runners with a passion for the sport that they enthusiastically share with their runners. Their goal is to spread the joy of running to youth in their community; and mold a few stud-runners along the way!
A Little Background
Our Coaching staff boasts the most combined experience in all of Orange County. Each of our coaches not only enjoys running, but enjoys teaching running and believes in practicing what they preach. The coaches will be running along side the kids every day and leading by example. Each coach brings a wealth of knowledge about running, living an active lifestyle, and competition at the highest levels.
Liam Clemons is the Current Head Boys Cross Country Coach and Head Distance Coach at Trabuco Hills High School. He is a three-time California state Cross Country Champion, once as a runner and twice as a coach. Coach Clemons has over 20 years of competitive running experience and nearly 20 years as a coach at the youth, high school and post-collegiate levels. He has mentored hundreds of young runners and helped them find success in sports and life. Coach Clemons received his B.A. in Journalism for Humboldt State University, his Teaching Credential in Biological Science from CSU Fullerton, and his Masters in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University. You can follow him on Twitter @LiamClemons
Darrell Cross has been coaching at Trabuco Hills High School since 2014. He has enjoyed his time coaching for both the boys and girls’ cross country teams. He is currently the Boys JV Cross Country Coach and the Assistant Boys Track Distance Coach. Darrell is an avid runner who has qualified and raced the Boston Marathon multiple times. One of his favorite marathons is the Long Beach Marathon which he has run 11 years in a row.
Darrell has 2 daughters that both ran cross county and track at Trabuco Hills High School. Emily, class of 2016 continued to run at San Francisco State University. Michelle, class of 2018 currently attends San Diego State University and runs for the school’s Adaptive Athletics Program and has run in U.S. Paralympic events. Darrell has been married to Melanie for 27 years and they like to spend their time at the beach in San Clemente. The Cross family runs the 10k Dana Point Turkey trot annually.
Melissa Clemons – Youth Distance Running Coach
Stephen Tadena – Youth Distance Running Coach
Brian Burke – Youth Distance Running Coach
Sally Boles – Youth Distance Running Coach
Casey Arora – Youth Distance Running Coach
Colts Running Club 