California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Women's Track

Ashford is entering into his fourth season in 2016-17 as an assistant coach in the men's and women's cross country and track and field programs. Ashford has made a tremendous impact for the Broncos, guiding the men's cross country team to three-consecutive appearances at the NCAA Division II National Championships while producing several All-American performers as the teams produce academic honors as well. A pair of Bronco men put together All-American finishes in the 2015 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships as Mark Huizar and Francisco Gomez both finished among the top 40. On the women's side, Marissa Nickles was the top competitor in 2016 as she placed 10th at the West Regionals held in Oregon.  During Spring 2016, Huizar, Gomez, and Lizette Huerta all punched their ticket to the NCAA D-II Track & Field Championships in Florida. Huerta broke the program record in the 1,500 meter and ran to a No. 4 national finish to earn All-American status. At the 2015 Cross Country National Championships, held in Joplin, Mo., the CPP men ran to a ninth-place finish as both Huizar and Gomez earned All-American honors. In the 2014 season, the Broncos' second-consecutive trip to nationals, CPP finished 16th nationally as they were led by Huizar. In Spokane, Wash., Broncos' men's cross country placed eighth at the 2013 NCAA D-II Championships for the program's top performance since 1997.  Before joining the Broncos, Ashford spent 10 years as the head coach of the cross country and distance track and field teams at San Bernardino Valley College. During his time there, he received Foothill Conference Cross Country Coach of the Year honors for 10-straight years from 2003 through 2012. He was also recognized as the California Community College Cross Country Coach of the Year in 2007 and 2008. During his tenure at SBVC, he guided the cross country team to five California State Cross Country Community College championships from 2006 through 2010. He started his coaching career at Rancho Cucamonga High School, where he worked from 1997 to 2001. He guided the team to a Mt. Baldy Cross Country League title and the squad went undefeated in conference competition through his entire tenure. As a cross country and distance runner, Ashford earned a name for himself during his time as a student-athlete at Brigham Young University. He qualified for 16 separate USA National Track and Cross Country Championships and was a member of the United States National Team for the Eight Nations Meet in 1990 and the World Road Relay Championships in 1996. After graduating from BYU in 1989, Ashford earned a master's degree in Natural Health at Clayton College of Health in Birmingham, Alabama in 2008. He currently resides in Alta Loma. Wes Ashford Acting Head Coach -- Cross Country and Track & Field Twitter: cppxctf Wes Ashford is entering into his fourth season in 2016-17 as an assistant coach in the men's and women's cross country and track and field programs. Ashford has made a tremendous impact for the Broncos, guiding the men's cross country team to three-consecutive appearances at the NCAA Division II National Championships while producing several All-American performers as the teams produce academic honors as well. A pair of Bronco men put together All-American finishes in the 2015 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships as Mark Huizar and Francisco Gomez both finished among the top 40. On the women's side, Marissa Nickles was the top competitor in 2016 as she placed 10th at the West Regionals held in Oregon.  During Spring 2016, Huizar, Gomez, and Lizette Huerta all punched their ticket to the NCAA D-II Track & Field Championships in Florida. Huerta broke the program record in the 1,500 meter and ran to a No. 4 national finish to earn All-American status. At the 2015 Cross Country National Championships, held in Joplin, Mo., the CPP men ran to a ninth-place finish as both Huizar and Gomez earned All-American honors. In the 2014 season, the Broncos' second-consecutive trip to nationals, CPP finished 16th nationally as they were led by Huizar. In Spokane, Wash., Broncos' men's cross country placed eighth at the 2013 NCAA D-II Championships for the program's top performance since 1997.  Before joining the Broncos, Ashford spent 10 years as the head coach of the cross country and distance track and field teams at San Bernardino Valley College. During his time there, he received Foothill Conference Cross Country Coach of the Year honors for 10-straight years from 2003 through 2012. He was also recognized as the California Community College Cross Country Coach of the Year in 2007 and 2008. During his tenure at SBVC, he guided the cross country team to five California State Cross Country Community College championships from 2006 through 2010. He started his coaching career at Rancho Cucamonga High School, where he worked from 1997 to 2001. He guided the team to a Mt. Baldy Cross Country League title and the squad went undefeated in conference competition through his entire tenure. As a cross country and distance runner, Ashford earned a name for himself during his time as a student-athlete at Brigham Young University. He qualified for 16 separate USA National Track and Cross Country Championships and was a member of the United States National Team for the Eight Nations Meet in 1990 and the World Road Relay Championships in 1996. After graduating from BYU in 1989, Ashford earned a master's degree in Natural Health at Clayton College of Health in Birmingham, Alabama in 2008. He currently resides in Alta Loma.

Linker Josh Linker enters his third season in 2017 as an assistant coach for the men's and women's track and field team. Linker oversees the long jump, triple jump, pole vault, and assists with the multis. The 2016 season saw Rodger Mantor earn his second-straight trip to Nationals in the pole vault. In the CCAA Track and Field Championships, Kyle Goodenough took home the title of Decathlon Champion, placing first out of seven competitors who qualified for the event. Mantor's bid to Nationals marks the sixth-straight season that Linker has sent a vaulter to Nationals. In those six years, he has sent nine vaulters.   In Linker's first season (2015) with the Broncos, his pole vault group had a record breaking season. Stealing the show, senior Justin Ellerbee took home the 2015 NCAA Division II National Championship crown with a school record performance of 17-6.75. Joining Ellerbee on the All-American stand was Mantor. Mantor vaulted his way to a fourth-place finish and All-American honors. With a jump of 16-10, Mantor vaulted his way to the No. 2 spot on the Broncos all-time school record list. Rounding up the trio was Second Team All-American Austin Allen. The Bronco vault squad posted 5 NCAA provisional qualifiers and a CCAA Conference Champion (Ellerbee) and Conference Runner-up Allen Black who posted a season best (4.91m/16'2"), narrowly missed nationals by one spot, and sits at the number four spot on the record book. On the women's side, heptathlete Erin Zwinger took home a CCAA Conference Championship (4978) in the heptathlon which punched a ticket to nationals and boosted her up to number 5 on the school record books. Prior to coming to Cal Poly Pomona, Linker spent four seasons as an Assistant Track and Field Coach at the University of La Verne coaching the pole vault, long jump, triple jump and assisting with the multis. During that time, Linker mentored first hand: 5 All-Americans, 10 National Championship qualifiers, 7 SCIAC Champions, 26 All-SCIAC selections, 4 school records and 22 Top-10 school performances.  The 2013 season proved to be one of the best seasons Linker had coaching the Leopards. One of his athletes, a six-time All-American, leapt to a third-place finish in the triple jump at the NCAA Division III Indoor National Championships. Later that season, two more of Linker's athletes would earn school records in the pole vault, a mark which qualified both of them for the NCAA Division III Outdoor National Championships. Linker earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Cal State University of Los Angeles, we he competed in the decathlon for the Golden Eagles. As a Golden Eagle, he was a 2009 Division II All-American in the decathlon and the 2009 CSULA Male Athlete of the Year/Most Valuable Track and Field Athlete. He continued his schooling to receive his Masters of Business Administration from the University of La Verne. Josh Linker Assistant Coach -- Track & Field Twitter: CoachJLinker Josh Linker enters his third season in 2017 as an assistant coach for the men's and women's track and field team. Linker oversees the long jump, triple jump, pole vault, and assists with the multis. The 2016 season saw Rodger Mantor earn his second-straight trip to Nationals in the pole vault. In the CCAA Track and Field Championships, Kyle Goodenough took home the title of Decathlon Champion, placing first out of seven competitors who qualified for the event. Mantor's bid to Nationals marks the sixth-straight season that Linker has sent a vaulter to Nationals. In those six years, he has sent nine vaulters.   In Linker's first season (2015) with the Broncos, his pole vault group had a record breaking season. Stealing the show, senior Justin Ellerbee took home the 2015 NCAA Division II National Championship crown with a school record performance of 17-6.75. Joining Ellerbee on the All-American stand was Mantor. Mantor vaulted his way to a fourth-place finish and All-American honors. With a jump of 16-10, Mantor vaulted his way to the No. 2 spot on the Broncos all-time school record list. Rounding up the trio was Second Team All-American Austin Allen. The Bronco vault squad posted 5 NCAA provisional qualifiers and a CCAA Conference Champion (Ellerbee) and Conference Runner-up Allen Black who posted a season best (4.91m/16'2"), narrowly missed nationals by one spot, and sits at the number four spot on the record book. On the women's side, heptathlete Erin Zwinger took home a CCAA Conference Championship (4978) in the heptathlon which punched a ticket to nationals and boosted her up to number 5 on the school record books. Prior to coming to Cal Poly Pomona, Linker spent four seasons as an Assistant Track and Field Coach at the University of La Verne coaching the pole vault, long jump, triple jump and assisting with the multis. During that time, Linker mentored first hand: 5 All-Americans, 10 National Championship qualifiers, 7 SCIAC Champions, 26 All-SCIAC selections, 4 school records and 22 Top-10 school performances.  The 2013 season proved to be one of the best seasons Linker had coaching the Leopards. One of his athletes, a six-time All-American, leapt to a third-place finish in the triple jump at the NCAA Division III Indoor National Championships. Later that season, two more of Linker's athletes would earn school records in the pole vault, a mark which qualified both of them for the NCAA Division III Outdoor National Championships. Linker earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Cal State University of Los Angeles, we he competed in the decathlon for the Golden Eagles. As a Golden Eagle, he was a 2009 Division II All-American in the decathlon and the 2009 CSULA Male Athlete of the Year/Most Valuable Track and Field Athlete. He continued his schooling to receive his Masters of Business Administration from the University of La Verne.

Adeniji enters her third season in 2017 as an assistant coach for the Cal Poly Pomona track and field program. Most recently, Adeniji coached the Broncos' men's 4x100 relay to a third-place finish at the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Championships. The group consisted of  ,  ,  , and  Adeniji arrived to CPP in 2015 after building an impressive coaching resume. She has experience at both the high school and the collegiate levels.   In her high school coaching stints, she has earned two CIF State Titles, six CIF-Southern Section Titles, and 10 League Championships. At the collegiate level, her men's and women's teams earned All-SCIAC honors, and many of her athletes set personal records while they competed in the NCAA Championships.   She earned her Master of Science in Sports Medicine/Injury Studies. Adeniji is USATF Level 1 Certified and USATF Level 2 Jumps Certified. 

Donnelly enters her second year in 2016-17 as the athletic department's Business Coordinator. She is stepping into the role after serving as the Operations Assistant for the department. Donnelly also served as an assistant coach for the track and field program in the 2015-16 season. She entered her CPP coaching role after five seasons as the Assistant Track and Field Coach at South Hills High School where she coached hurdlers. She coordinated and designed the workouts and monitored her athlete's progress and successes throughout the seasons.   Donnelly simultaneously coached cross country at South Hills High School, where she led approximately 60 athletes in daily workouts and routines to ensure that they maintained the maximum fitness level for their season. She put together high altitude training regimes as her team traveled to Mammoth Lakes to partake in altitude training.   During her time at CPP, Donnelly (then Fortner) landed herself in the Cal Poly Pomona track and field record books. She has collected four records, including 9th place in the 400 Meter Hurdles, tth in 4x100 Relay, 2nd in 4x200 Relay, and 5th in the 800 Meter Sprint Medley. Pam received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with an emphasis in retail marketing, from Cal Poly Pomona. She completed her graduate work at the University of San Francisco and earned a Masters of Arts in Sport and Fitness Management.  

Gillespie-Bennett enters his fifth year in 2016-17 as Cal Poly Pomonas mens and womens cross country and track and field head coach. Both programs have risen to new heights under the leadership of Gillespie-Bennett. The 2015-16 season saw a pair of All-American finishes in men's cross country from Mark Huizar and Francisco Gomez as well as a ninth-place finish at Nationals. On the women's side, Marissa Nickles ran to a 10th-place finish at the Western Regionals in Oregon.  Five members of the 2016 track and field team made the trip to Nationals in Bradenton, Fla. Huizar, Gomez, Rodger Mantor, Lizette Huerta, and Tiffany Tate all qualified. Huerta ran to a CPP record time in the 1,500 meter event and secured an All-American finish. Gomez finished strong in the 5,000 to also earn All-American status. In the 2016 CCAA Track and Field Championships, Kyle Goodenough placed first in the decathlon of seven competitors that qualified.  In the 2014-15 season, the Broncos mens cross country team ran to a 16th place finish at the National Championships in Louisville, Ky. The CPP womens squad finished 10th in the NCAA D-II West Region Championships in Billings, Mont.  The 2015 track and field season featured a National Champion on the squad in Justin Ellerbee, who joined Rodger Mantor and Austin Allen in earning All-American recognition. Ellerbee earned an Academic All-American nod as well and was the first male in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA)s history to be named both the Scholar-Athlete of the Year and the Athlete of the Year. Under Gillespie-Bennett's coaching, 10 members of the squad earned All-West Region honors, and four earned USTFCCCA All-Academic accolades.  Womens track and field put together an impressive 2015 campaign as well with four members of the squad earning USTFCCCA All-Academic honors. Tiffany Gray, Erin Zwinger, and Lizette Huerta qualified and competed at nationals. Gillespie-Bennett also coached Zwinger to her second CCAA Heptathlon championship. Broncos Director of Athletics Brian Swanson announced on Aug. 14, 2012, the hiring of Gillespie-Bennett, who arrived to CPP with collegiate coaching experience at Cal State L.A., Tulsa and UCLA. Prior to joining the Broncos in August 2012, Gillespie-Bennetts most recent experience was a highly successful two-season stint at CCAA institution Cal State L.A., where he served as the assistant coach in charge of jumps, throws and multi-events for the mens outdoor track and field, womens indoor track and field and womens outdoor track and field teams from 2010 through 2012. With the guidance of Gillespie-Bennett, the Golden Eagles outdoor track and field teams achieved a wide range of accomplishments in 2012. As the hosts of the CCAA Championships in May, CSULA finished second on the mens side and third on the womens side. The men totaled the programs most points in a conference championship meet since 1988 and the women placed third in both years during Gillespie-Bennetts tenure. At the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field National Championships in Colorado, Gillespie-Bennett coached sophomore Calista Lyon to a national title in the discus. He also helped Samantha Gutierrez (discus), Tuekeha Huntley (heptathlon), Giorgio Bryant (long jump) and Julius Joseph (discus) reach All-American status as well. Earlier in 2012, Huntley collected All-American honors in the pentathlon at the D-II Indoor Track & Field National Championships. Gillespie-Bennett also had a tremendous impact in his first season with the CSULA program in 2011 and was named the NCAA Division II West Region Assistant Coach of the Year for womens track and field by the USTFCCCA. He helped Huntley to All-America honors in the indoor pentathlon and outdoor heptathlon and he helped Nai Leni to a third-place national finish in the discus. Leni was also the West Region Field Athlete of the Year in 2011. Gillespie-Bennett also helped mens jumpers Josh Como and Giorgio Bryant to national championships in the long jump and triple jump. Prior to his time with the Golden Eagles, Gillespie-Bennett served as the field event, hurdles and multi-event coach at Tulsa from 2008 to 2010. During his time with the program, his student-athletes set 10 new Tulsa records, earned 21 All-Conference USA honors and won two Conference USA championships. He also coached three NCAA Division I regional qualifiers and one national qualifier. Gillespie-Bennett was the meet director for the 2009 Conference USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Before he coached at Tulsa, Gillespie-Bennett was the decathlon coach and jumps assistant at UCLA from 2006 through 2008. Several of the student-athletes he coached placed in the Pacific-10 Conference Championships. He was also the field event coach at the Brentwood Schools in 2004-05 and coached league champions in the boys long jump, high jump, shot put and girls long jump. He also assisted in meet operations and coached all field events. As a student-athlete, Gillespie-Bennett competed for Lane Community College, UC Santa Barbara and UCLA. While at UCLA, he scored in the javelin and decathlon events at the 2002 Pac-10 Conference Championships. Professionally, Gillespie-Bennett was the Guatemalan national record holder in the javelin (65.87 meters) and decathlon (7,448 points) and was a Pan-American competitor in 2003 and 2007. He was the Central American Champion in the high jump in 2004 and in the pole vault in 2007. He was also second in the long jump and third in the javelin in 2007. He earned his bachelors degree from UCLA in 2003 and was a UCLA Student-Athlete Academic mentor from 2003 to 2005. He also served as the Assistant Athletic Tutorial Director for UCLA during the 2005-06 academic year. Born in Guatemala and raised in the Portland, Ore., area, Gillespie-Bennett now resides in Tustin with his wife Nicole and their son Elias.