PAUL LUPI 

Email: pmlupi@yahoo.com

Coach Lupi has been coaching Track & Field for over 20 years and has coached at the intermediate, scholastic and collegiate levels. He holds a BS in Kinesiology from the University of Houston, is Certified Level 2 by USA Track and Field, by the California Interscholastic Federation and the New York State Public High School Athletic Association as well as completed Strength and Conditioning Certifications with the National Strength and Conditioning Association, the YMCA and American Council on Exercise.

He is a former New York State Scholastic Champion and Collegiate School Record holder and Conference Champion at 800m.

He is currently the Head Track and Field / Cross Country Coach at Wildwood School in West Los Angeles.

Coach Lupi is on the USATF Coaches Registry

TANIA FISCHER 

Email: tfischer@smmusd.org

Tania Fischer is theHead Boys’ and Girls’ Track and Cross Country Coach at Santa Monica High School.  She is a graduate of Chaminade High School, Class of 1983, where she is a Hall of Famer holding school records in the 800, 1600 and 3200 meters. After high school, Tania ran for UCLA where she was a decorated athlete and continued her running while completing her masters program at Cal State Northridge running for the infamous Santa Monica Track Club. There is where Tania continued to run well making it to the Olympic Trials in 1996 in the 5000 meters running a PR of 15:44. Tania continues to compete and coach her club team, The Janes Elite Racing Team, where they have won two national team titles and is considered one of the top masters runners in the nation. She ran in the World Masters Championships in Sacramento in 2012, placing 2nd for the USA running the 5km on the track at 17:33.

Tania has been teaching art and coaching at Santa Monica High School for over 20 years and has coached the boys’ teams to nine league titles. Her 40 years of running and competing at the highest level give the Viking distance boys and girls the direction to be an accomplished team. Her love and dedication to the sport is reflected in her day to day interactions with her athletes she coaches. Tania has a lovely daughter named Alise who Tania often has to chase all over the track!

HARLEY RICHARDS – 

Email: jhrv55@gmail.com

Harley “Mad Dog “ Richards hails from the suburbs of Chicago, where he was just an average runner at Buffalo Grove High School. He had a dream to be a Division 1 college athlete, and after many injuries and a lot of hard work, he succeeded in becoming a slightly above average runner at Southern Illinois University. While there, he acquired a deep and passionate love for running and the joy and friendships it brings. After graduating in 2008 with a degree in TV Production, Harley moved to California to chase his other dream of breaking into the Entertainment Industry. For a couple years he bounced around various movie sets and shows like the Price is Right, Dancing with the Stars and most recently 2 years at American Idol. But the 18 hour days, minimum wage and the constant dealings with “difficult” people finally took their toll. Showbiz leaves no time for running, so he left to try his hand at his first real passion. Harley believes that there is no greater thing in this world than running; the tools it gives you will help in all aspects of life. He very much enjoys sharing his experiences with others and looks forward to making this team the best team it can possibly be.

RACHEL MIURA –

Email: rachel.miura1@gmail.com

Rachel Miura originates from upstate New York, in the Hudson Valley area. She grew up playing soccer but decided to try cross country during her senior year of high school. After qualifying for the state championships that year she continued her running career at Binghamton University. There she received Division 1 All-Conference in cross country and in the 10,000m during track season.

In 2014 Rachel moved to California to work for a solar company. Soon after moving to the area she reached out to Tania Fischer to run for the Janes Elite Racing Team. Under the Janes she competed in longer distances such as the half marathon and marathon, placing 7th in the LA marathon with a time of 2:54. Through running she has learned of the many physical and mental benefits and hopes to share her passion with the SAMO team.