Christopher Zepeda
Head Track and Field Coach
(Middle Distance/ Distance/Javelin)

Prior to Hartnell College, Coach Z spent the last three years as an assistant at Butte College and served as the head coach at Biggs High School. While at Butte College, Coach Zepeda enjoyed a tremendous amount of success in the distance events at the conference, Norcal, and state level. In 2005, Zepeda guided Butte's Oscar Uribe to the cross country individual title. Butte College runners won the Norcal 1500, 5k, and 10k titles as well as the men's state 1500 title in 2006. In 2004 and 2005, Coach Z guided a high school athlete to the CIF State Cross Country Championships along with a state berth at 800 meters in 2005.

Zepeda competed at the junior college level and served as team captain while at Cuesta College. He also competed as a member of the Chico State cross country and track & field team. Coach Zepeda earned his B.S. in Exercise Physiology and M.A. in Kinesiology from CSU, Chico. Coach Zepeda is Level I certified by USATF Association. In the summer of 2010, Coach Zepeda was recognized for his coaching accomplishments by being invited to attend the USATF Coaching Emerging Elite Clinic at the US Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA. This summer Coach Zepeda will begin work on a USATF Level 2 certification for the combined events. In addition to his coaching duties, Coach Zepeda also serves as a part-time instructor for the Kinesiology Department.

Coach Mankins has been a part of the Hartnell Track and Field program since 1995. He has coached numerous throws athletes that have gotten it done in the classroom, weightroom, and out in the hammer cage.

Larry's background includes strength training for track & field and football athletes. His expertise lies in strength training as well as martial arts. Coach Mankins is a 4th degree blackbelt and a full-time Physical Education instructor.

Coach Mankins has guided many Hartnell hammer throwers to the Norcal and State Championhips. Recently, he coached Cesar Puga (Alisal HS) to a state berth in the hammer throw in 2008 and Clarissa Hernandez (Alisal HS) to the school's first women's hammer throw state individual title in 2011.

Ralph Powers
(Hurdes/Timing)

Coach Ralph Powers returns for his second year working with the 400 meter hurdle group. Powers has extensive experience with the long hurdles race having been of the Monterey County's best while at Carmel High School and running the 300 hurdles. Powers competed collegiately for UC Santa Barbara and clocked a solid 51 second time in the 400 hurdles. His coaching experience began locally at Everett Alvarez High School where he guided one of his athletes to the CIF State Championship.

Coach Powers also operates Powers Timing Co. and has served as Head Timer for the Ed Adams Invitational. Bill Kearney Invitational, and meets hosted by CSU Fresno and CSU Stanislaus.

Coach Young has been working with the throwers at Hartnell College for last 10 years. Prior to that, he coached both football and track at area high schools. During his long coaching career, Coach Young has been fortunate to guide several athletes to the California community college state track and field championships. Coach Young believes this year's crop of Panther throwers has the potential to earn all-state honors.

Coach Young was first introduced to the shot put and discus events when he was a junior in high school. Guided by his inspirational high school coach, Coach Young earned trips to the California high school state meet as both a junior and senior at Taft High School. A full scholarship to play football at Cal Poly SLO put an end to his short throwing career but Coach Young still finds great satisfaction in sharing his knowledge and expertise with young throwers.

In 2008. Coach Young guided Cesar Puga (Alisal HS) to a new school record in the discus throw and an All-American honor at the state championship. The pair also traveled to Columbus, Ohio for the USA Track and Field Junior National Championships.

Ed Barber enters his 3rd season as the sprint and multi-event coach. Ed is a 1978 graduate of Fresno Pacific University in Education. With credentials in elementary, high school, and community college levels, Coach Barber has been teaching for 28 years at the high school level. Now retired from teaching and married for 33 years with two married children, Coach Barber is a proud grandpa.

Coach Barber competed as a decathlete at Fresno Pacific University. He was the District Champion in 1976 & 1977. In his junior and senior years he was anational qualifier in the decathlon placing 7th in 1978. A Level III certified USATF Coach, Coach Barber took Calvin Harrison (44.78) to the Olympic Trials in Atlanta 1996. Calvin went on to earn a gold medal in the 4x400m Relay. In 1993, the North Salinas HighVikings were Co-State Champions under his guidance. Coach Barber has had many state qualifiers and league championships. He now looks forward to working with the Hartnell coaching staff.