Meet the coaches
SARAH HANNULA- HEAD COACH/SPRINT SPECIALIST
Sarah Attended Washington State University on a full ride scholarship in Long-jump and Triple-jump where she majored in Exercise Science and Psychology. At WSU she competed for 4 seasons both indoor and outdoor.
In 2012 Sarah accepted the Head Coaching position at Curtis High school where she’s now had the opportunity to coach Pole Vault, Long Jump, Triple Jump, and Sprints. In the 11 years she has been at Curtis High she has gained multiple State Champions and 2 State Titles. The class of 2018 had 6 athletes to sign commitment with colleges throughout the US for Track and Field. Of that class Lexi Ellis was ranked 2nd in the Nation and signed a full ride to Oregon where as Saudia Heard signed with Kansas. Sarah was awarded the 2022 Coach of the Year for Washington State. Coach Hannula is very passionate about the runners and jumpers she coaches.
As Head Coach of ASA, Sarah is committed in sharing her knowledge and love for the sport with all the athletes she trains and coaches.
It should be noted that Coach Sarah does not head the Indoor Season at Alpha Speed Academy and shares responsibilities during winter meets with Coach Nate, Coach Mac and Team Manager Shoni Ross
Andrew Forbes- POLE VAULT COACH/SPECIALIST
Drew attended Pacific Lutheran University majoring in Exercise Science with double minors in Coaching and Sports Psychology. His athletic journey includes four seasons of Pole Vault under the guidance of Coach Pat Licari at PLU.
In 2020, Drew took on the role of Pole Vault Coach at Curtis High School, Drew is WIAA Certified for coaching Pole vault. Despite the pandemic delaying hos first full season to 2021. He has significantly revitalized the school’s Pole Vault program within four seasons. His coaching achievements include advancing three athletes to districts and two to state in his second season, and repeating this success with four athletes making Districts in 2023, where one emerged as the 4A Boys Pole Vault State Champion and another secured a 10th place finish. Under Drew's mentorship, vaulters have set new school records for both Boys and Girls, with seven girls and three boys ranking in the school's all-time top ten heights. Three of his athletes have continued to vault at the collegiate level. Additionally, Drew's expertise has been recognized at the National Pole Summit and the Junior Olympics, where one of his athletes achieved second place nationally in 2023.
Drew’s coaching philosophy is shaped by the diverse styles and techniques he learned from numerous esteemed coaches throughout his high school and college years. His dedication to the sport is evident as he consistently supports all vaulters in need at competitions, often aiding them in achieving new personal records.
Mark “Mac” Macdonald- Hurdle coach/specialist
Coach Mac brings nearly three decades of Collegiate coaching experience to the Academy. Following his All-American career at Washington State, Mark joined the Cougar Coaching Staff at Washington State University where he mentored athletes in the hurdles, sprints, and relays. Mac’s hurdlers and sprinters won numerous Conference Championships, All-American Honors, School Records, and 3 National Championships in the hurdles. His expertise has earned him a well deserved reputation as one of the most successful Assistant Coaches in the country. Following his time at WSU, he mentored his former athlete, 3x NCAA Champion Jeshua Anderson (47.93), as Anderson transitioned into a coaching role at the University of Washington. His time at Washington State also included an All-American finish for 400 hurdler Darhian Mills (57.02).
Nate wilford- Jump coach/specialist
We are proud to include Coach Nate Wilford and his reputation for mentoring some of the finest jumpers in state and national history is unmatched. One can search age-group, high school, collegiate, and even Olympic rosters to see the impact that Coach Nate has had on the sport of track and field. His athletes have won State, National, Conference, and Collegiate Championships in both the long and triple jump. His pupils include 4 of the top-5 all-time marks in state history in the triple jump: Lexi Ellis (43’6” - Oregon), Chinne Okoronkwo (42’11.75” - Texas Tech), Andrea Geubelle (42’10.25 - Kansas; NCAA Champion - Long Jump & Triple Jump; Olympian), and Rieko Wilford (41’0.5” - Purdue). There’s no doubt that Coach Nate is one the finest horizontal jump coaches in the country. Truly a hidden gem here in the Pacific Northwest and former long-time coach with the Flying AJ’s Track Club, Nate is a founding member of the Alpha Speed Academy.
Pictured; ASA Littles Coach Sarah and Ben Hannula, Keesha Ogburn, and Elite Hurdle Coach Mark MacDonald.