Gary Gosch

Head coach for Distance Runners and the founder of the Williamson Youth Track Club

Gary is head coach for distance runners and founder of the Williamson Youth Track Club and is very passionate about running, track, and cross country. Gary started the club 6 years ago seeing a need for a youth track program in Williamson County.

During those six years the team has grown from 11 participants to over 150 and one national qualifier to over 50 including eight All-Americans just last year. The Williamson Youth Track teams have produced several national medal winners and All-Americans in both track and cross country. Gary’s girls youth cross country teams have claimed the last two Southeast District titles and finished fourth in the nation last year. The boys youth cross country team captured the district crown and was fifth in the nation.

Gary is very proud of the team’s accomplishments on the track and as well as off the track. Many of our athletes are honor students at their respective schools and very active in school, church, and civic activities.

Gary is still an active runner and is a former high school and college runner. He also is a former AAU state champion and held his college’s 10,000-meter record.

Marcya Bove

Assistant Coach for Distance Runners

Marcya is a local attorney at Dougall Law Office, PLLC and holds a JD from Nashville School of Law, a Master’s in Business from the University of Laverne and undergraduate degree from the Western Kentucky University. She is a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and former United States Army Officer. Marcya was an AAU competitor and placed third in the Tae Kwon Do Junior Olympics when she was 16. She has completed in numerous road and triathlon races including multiple marathons, half marathons and shorter distances, having qualified for the Boston marathon while running in New York in 2009.

Marcya is married to assistant coach Chris and they have two amazing children who are active in many sports including track, swimming, baseball, volleyball, flag football, triathlons and soccer. She started the Kenrose Run Club at Kenrose Elementary and helps students prepare for the mile run at the Kids Country Music Marathon. Marcya has taught women’s self defense, children and adult Tae Kwon Do and Tang Su Do classes. In addition to her time at work, on the track and with her kids, Marcya and Chris are very active with Mission Honduras and have made several trips to serve the needs of those in different regions of Honduras. She is very excited to assist with the Williamson Youth Track team again this year.

Chris Bove

Assistant Coach for Distance Runners and Throwing Events

Chris is a local real estate executive with an engineering degree from the United States Military Academy. He also holds a Master’s in Business from the University of La Verne. He has completed over a dozen marathons and numerous triathlons, including the Ironman distance. While in High School Chris was captain of his football, basketball and track teams. He competed in various events ranging from shot put, javelin, sprints and distance. At West Point, he was a member of the Army Volleyball team and the Alaskan Army Rugby team that finished second in the state of Alaska while stationed in Anchorage. In his youth, Chris competed in the AAU National Basketball Championships after his team was crowned state champions. Chris has experience in working with youth in a wide range of areas, including Baseball, Soccer and other team oriented sports.

Chris is married to assistant coach Marcya and they have two amazing children who are active in many sports including track, swimming, baseball, volleyball, flag football, triathlons and soccer. In addition to his work life and being a father, Chris is a member of the Board for Franklin Tomorrow. He is also been very active with mission trips to Honduras for the last three years. He is planning on joining a medical mission to Honduras this Spring and then leading a group of 42 people to Honduras later in 2011. He is excited to assist with the Williamson Youth Track team this year.

Shannon Simmons

Head coach for sprinters to middle distance, multi-events, hurdlers, throws, and jumps

Graduate from the University of Memphis in Psychology; was a Lady Volunteer on the University of Tennessee at Knoxville track team (specialty events: 400m, heptathlon, and Long jump). Ran as a youth from the age of 9-18 with the Knoxville Track Club. Over 25 years of running experience.

Events of competition: 100 m Hurdles, 400 meters, 800 meters, 200 meters, pentathlon, heptathlon, long jump, high jump, and even shot put and discus (can you believe that).

Strongest events of competition: Long jump, 200m, 400m, 100m hurdles, 800 meters, pentathlon and heptathlon.

Started competing nationally as a 9 year old and ranked second nationally under the AAU in the 400 meters as a 12 year old. Ranked nationally in the top 8 for AAU and USATF from the age of 10-18 Competed in the AAU Junior Olympics and USATF from the ages of 9-18. Former pentathlon state record holder and Gatorade All American.

Married to coach Daton and the mother of two wonderful boys both AAU and USATF competitors and AAU and USATF national qualifiers and medalist. My sons also compete in basketball, football and cross country, so we are in sports almost all year long. Both of my children have placed in the top 8, one placing in three events in the top 3 (almost breaking a national record in high jump in 2008 and 2010 tied the national record only to come in 4th place overall). This will be my fifth year coaching with the Williamson Youth Track team. Within my four years with the Williamson Youth Track Club I have coached and helped coached close to 100 children in national competition including my own children. I also have been an assistance coach to my husband’s youth basketball team for the past 8 years. I enjoy working out, running, biking, and playing around with my family. I love track and working with youth and my mission is to produce strong and confident athletes, as well as, to teach children to work hard and to feel good about the effort that is put out at whatever skill level they may be.

Daton Hall

Assistant Sprint and Middle Distance Coach- High Jump Coach

Originally from Memphis, TN and started running with SYS Track Club of West, TN at age 6 years old. Competed at the AAU level starting in Middle School specializing in the 200, 400, and long jump. Continued running in High School and was a 4 year letterman in track and field. Added High jump starting in 9th grade and competed in the 200, 400, long jump and high jump during those years while also competing in High School basketball.

Graduate of the University of TN Knoxville with a Biology and Chemistry degree and have coached school aged children for the past 8 years in track and basketball. I have had success of improving the technical attributes of children in sports and focusing on well-rounded scholar athletes. I have been associated with Williamson Youth Track Club for the past 6 years, but this will be my 4th year coaching with the team. I enjoy working out, playing basketball, playing flag football, and biking.

David Vinson

Assistant Coach Sprinters and Throws

David Vinson is new to the coaching corps for WYTC this year but has fifteen + years of coaching experience ranging from youth football (active certified coach for National Youth Sports Coaches Association) to group fitness (certified trainer and Spinning instructor). An avid cyclist, David has competed in numerous road races and time trials, winning the 2007 Tennessee Road Race Championship for his age category.

As a graduate from the University of Mississippi (96), David played football for his beloved Ole Miss where he was a three year letterman and two-time Academic All-SEC recipient. During his senior year he was elected team Co-Captain and Special Teams Player of the Year, as well as, Vice President of Ole Miss’ Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

While at Oxford High School David was a multi-sport letterman of which included the track disciplines of shot put, long jump, 200, 400, and the 4 x 100 relay. He will be helping coach WYTC sprinters, long jumpers, shot put and discus throwers this year. He loves spending time with his wife (Angie) and three children (Jaxon, Rayf, and Sloane), especially when it involves them being active outdoors. David describes his coaching style as one of high energy, fun, but with high expectations. He believes that effort and heart are defining character traits of what it takes to be a champion.

Frank Vickers

Assistant Coach for Sprinter and Long Jump

Frank is originally from Montgomery,Al. After relocating to Nashville, he graduated from Overton High School  where he lettered in football, basketball and track. He was an All Regional/All City performer. He went on to become a 4 year scholarship letterman in track and field at the University of Memphis (formerly Memphis State) where he specialized in sprints and long jump. Frank has been an avid competitor all of his life. He feels there are many aspects of competitive sports that help prepare youth for life experiences.

His daughter Mikele Vickers ran with Williamson Youth for the first time last year and qualified for AAU Nationals in the 100, 200 and 400 meter dashes. She achieved All-American status in the 100 meter dash by finishing 6th overall and becoming a National Medalist.

Frank has also coached youth soccer, youth football and youth basketball. He is dedicated to helping individuals achieve their optimum level of performance both on and off the field. He believes teamwork, hard work, preparation and dedication will help in the development of confidence which  is critical for today’s youth.