Personal Trainer/ Team Coordinator/ Lori Smith-Thompson- Lori competed at California State Long Beach 1979-1981. In 1981 Lori transferred on a track & field scholarship to San Diego State University. Lori holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Child Develop w/emphasis on Juvenile delinquency. She trained under Fred Laplante whose wife Debbie Laplante held the American Hurdle record under Fred’s training. Lori qualified for the 1984 Olympic Trials in six different events. Lori was a Hurdler/ Heptathathlete and SDSU’s MVP. Lori competed in the 1984 US Olympic Trials at the Los Angeles Coliseum in the 100-meter hurdles. She was an assistant coach at San Diego Mesa College under Recent Hall of Fame Long Jumper Arnie Robinson.
Lori has received a tremendous amount of knowledge throughout her track and field career and takes pride in continuous education. Lori is Level USATF certified. Head Coach/Administrator for Swift Performance 7 years, president for 4 years, and current youth program coach for Quiet Fire youth team 2005 & 2006 season. Lori recently selected for the 2007 World Youth Team headed for Chezc Republic, Ostrava.
Lori was the 2004 Coaches Association Zone coach of the year. Lori recently Headed the 2009 IAAF World Youth USA Team at the World Championship in Brosonne, Italy as the Head Manager. She has been the head of a Non profit Track & Field organization for the past 12 years and training over 1,300 youth track & field competitors, winning numerous team and divisional National championships. Several individual athletes have gone on to win Gold, Silver, and Bronze National & Junior Olympic medals and hold National records. Lori was the region 15 coordinator handling Southern California, Nevada, and San Diego from 2008-2010 as well as an association official. Lori takes pride of being an Ex- Police Officer/ Sheriff Deputy of 13 years, and raising her four children whom are now adults, two are still participating track & field.
Assistant Coach: Inland Empire Site. Gary Sumpter: - Intermediate Girls, Young Women- Riverside/Moreno Valley/ Inland Empire
Gary is currently the assistant coach for Together Elite Youth Track & Field Team in the Inland Empire Area; Gary attended Mesa Community College AZ Arizona State University & New Mexico State University. Gary was a 1984 Olympic Trials qualifier in the 100 meters. 1981-1984 NCAA, JUCO College & National club level athlete. Gary has coached his team to many Age Group and Junior Olympic titles as well as coached several National Record holders. Gary is level I & II certified with USATF. Gary takes pride in his continued education certified in courses such as: Track & Field methods of coaching, athletic injury prevention & treatment, athletics & nutrition etc. Gary has been awarded the Coach of the year for the past 4 years at the Annual Southern California Association Banquet. Gary holds an AA degree in Business Administration/ AA Information Management. Gary currently holds a high ranking position with the Air Force as a USAF Command and Control Training Manager. Gary has 3 children currently participating in track & field.
Lester Berman: Part time Hurdle/ Multi Coach: Youth Girls, Intermediate girls, Young Women. Long Beach Site
Les has been coaching track & field for over 40 years. His coaching experiences and maturity far exceeds some of the younger coaches above. Since 1964 Les was involved in local association age group programs. He was one of the coaches for Nike Coast/Coast Athletics. He has been apart of T.A.C. Track Athletic Congress and served on many teams, and committees. In 1972 he was the USA assistant coach for the dual with Canada. 1977, he was the USA Head Women’s Coach against France, Italy, & Russia. 1977-1980, Les was the Head Women’s Coach at Cal State University of Long Beach were I am proud to say my union with Les began. In 1991 Les was the USA Head Women’s Coach for the World Indoor Championship & GBR Dual. 1992, Les served on the Women’s T&F committee’s and was the Javelin coordinator for the Olympic Training Camp. Les has trained over 30 National and International caliber athletes such as; Olympians Joni Huntley and Sandi Goldsberry (High Jump),Patrice Donnely (Hurdles), Sherry Calvert and Karen Smith (Javelin). Les holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from Cal State Long Beach, and a Masters Degree in Education from Pepperdine University. Lester is currently a High School teacher and continues to coach youth and elite athletes.
Athlete advisor-(recruitment): Donn Thompson-Vice President (Off season contacts with parents and athletes interested in joining the elite program).
Donn Thompson is the Co-Founder with his wife Lori of the Swift Performance Youth Track & Field team. The team was founded in 1997 at which time Donn served as the assistant coach and Vice President. Donn has coached hundreds of youth athletes to National titles and National Records over the past 11 years. Donn & Lori moved to the Long Beach area and founded the Together Elite Track & Field Team. Donn is no stranger to track & field; he was one of the top 400 meter athletes in the world in the late 70’s & early 80’s. In 1978 Donn held a fine ranking of #14th in the World in the 400 meters. (45.65) Donn represented UCLA as the 1980 team Captain and help lead the team to several NCAA championships training under the phenomenal Coach Jim Bush. Donn competed in the 400 meters in the 1980 Olympic trials and traveled the European circuit competing on a world class level. Donn takes pride in still holding his High School 400 meter Record (Ghar H. S. 46.70), which no one has broken for 30 years. For the past 25 years Donn is currently a Fire Fighter/ Paramedic with the Los Angeles City Fire Department. Donn has three children still participating in track & field.
