9LANE ATHLETICS

PASSION - HEART - RESILIENCE

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TRAINING

MENTORSHIP

NUTRITION

Coach Oscar Emegano’s journey in track and field began at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where he not only excelled as a collegiate athlete but also laid the foundation for a successful coaching career. A standout in both the long jump and triple jump, Coach O quickly established himself as one of UMKC’s top athletes. After graduating, he seamlessly transitioned into coaching, leading the university’s long and triple jump program for two seasons before making the bold decision to head west to California, where he would continue to shape athletes’ futures.

In Southern California, Coach O’s influence expanded rapidly across several high schools. He began his tenure at South Pasadena High School, where in just three years, he coached three girls to break the 18-foot barrier in the long jump, each qualifying for the prestigious Masters Meet. During his time at South Pasadena, Coach O also had the distinct honor of serving as a two-time CIF long jump judge, further broadening his coaching perspective. His next stop took him to San Marino High School, where he helped an athlete soar beyond 46 feet in the triple jump, sending him to the Masters Meet. Coach O’s journey continued in San Diego, where he worked with Jacqueline M., guiding her to a Masters Meet appearance and an 18-foot jump that brought her within a whisker of qualifying for the state meet. Year after year, Coach O’s athletes exceeded their expectations, shattering personal records and often finding themselves astounded by the strides they made in such a short amount of time.

Before becoming a coach, Coach O was an accomplished athlete in his own right. During his collegiate career, he ranked among the top 12 in the long jump and top 30 in the triple jump at the Division 1 level. His dreams of competing in the 2012 London Olympics were cut short by a foot injury, but his athletic achievements remain remarkable. Coach O garnered multiple top-three finishes in Summit League competitions and etched his name into UMKC’s track and field history, holding the school’s second-best long jump record at 25’2” and the fifth-best triple jump at 50’. His success also extended to high school, where he was a member of his team’s state championship in 2004-2005 and a runner-up in the long jump the following year.

Through a combination of personal achievement and an innate ability to connect with his athletes, Coach O continues to inspire and guide track and field athletes toward their fullest potential. His coaching philosophy is simple but profound: with the right guidance, hard work, and belief in oneself, extraordinary progress is always within reach.

Coach Sam Sullivan’s journey in track and field coaching began in 2010 at F.L. Schlagle High School in Kansas City, Kansas, where he took on the role of Assistant Mid-Distance Coach. Specializing in the 400m and 800m events, Sam led a small but determined group of athletes to the KCK Track and Field Championships. His athletes competed fiercely in the 4x400m relay and the 800m run, eventually advancing to the final round of the KSHAA Regional Championships for 5-A in the 4x400m relay.

After his first successful year in high school coaching, Coach Sam paused to focus on his own athletic career, recovering from a season-ending injury. Before becoming a coach, Sam was an accomplished sprinter at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where he competed in the 100m and 200m dash. Despite battling injuries throughout his collegiate career, Sam’s passion for track and field never wavered, and he moved to Southern California to continue his dream of becoming a professional athlete.

In 2013, Sam made the transition to full-time training under his colleague-turned-mentor, Barbara Edmundson. After rigorous daily training sessions, Sam worked as an Assistant Sprint Coach at Caltech, an NCAA Division 3 program in Pasadena, CA. Under the guidance of Head Coach Mike Stevenson, Sam honed his coaching skills, learning how to connect with athletes on a deeper level and understand their individual needs. His dedication paid off when, in 2015, he earned Assistant Coach of the Year honors for Track and Field. That season, Sam led nearly his entire sprint group to career, season, and personal bests, including standout performances at the SCIAC Championships.

After the 2015 season, Coach Sam decided to take a step back from coaching to focus on his personal athletic goals, with hopes of making the 2016 Olympics. Unfortunately, a series of injuries forced him to retire from competitive athletics. In 2017, Sam officially hung up his spikes and shifted his focus to private coaching, working with collegiate athletes during the summer and middle and high school athletes during the fall, winter, and spring.

In 2017, Coach Sam took on a new challenge at Flintridge High School, where he became the head of the sprint program for the next three seasons. His impact was immediate. In his first year, he turned a group of underperforming athletes into CIF qualifiers, including a school-record-setting 4x100m relay team. Some of his sprinters also earned spots in the CIF meet. With a strong freshman class, Coach Sam saw bright potential for the future of the Flintridge program.

By the spring of 2019, Coach Sam decided to step down from his position at Flintridge to focus more on individual coaching. Today, he works primarily with athletes who are aspiring to earn track and field scholarships and compete at the collegiate level. Specializing in the 100m, 200m, and 400m dashes, Coach Sam places a strong emphasis on sprinter technique, utilizing a mix of drills, speed work, and power-based training to help athletes reach their highest potential.

Coach Sam Sullivan’s coaching philosophy is centered around developing well-rounded athletes who not only excel in their events but understand the discipline, technique, and mental strength required to perform at the next level. His journey, both as an athlete and a coach, has shaped his approach to mentoring young talent, and his dedication continues to inspire athletes to achieve greatness.

Coach Oscar Emegano

Coach Sam Sullivan

Inspiring Young Athletes

At 9lane Athletics, we specialize in training high school athletes in track and field, focusing on sprints and jumps, while offering nutrition guidance and mentorship.