Coaches
Aliso Viejo Middle School
Carolyn Luong
Assistant Coach
Joined WeROCK 2017
- 3x Marathon Finisher
- Countless Half Marathons
Carolyn is a working mom, runner, pickleball player, foodie, and puzzler. Coach Carolyn has been with WeROCK since 2017 as a parent, then as a parent runner, and has been a coach at AVMS for 2 years. Carolyn is returning as an Assistant Coach of the AVMS team for Fall 2024!
Paul Bonfonti
Assistant Coach
Joined WeROCK 2022
- 9x Ultimate Frisbee National Championship competitor
- 2x Ultimate Frisbee World Championship Competitor
Has had his two daughters run with the WeROCK program and recently ran his first Marathon.
Grace Kim
Assistant Coach
Joined WeROCK 2021
Hi there…my name is Grace! I’ve been a runner off and on for the past 6 years. When I’m not running, I am busy designing costumes for dancers, stage performers and ice skaters. My daughter, currently an 8th grader, joined WeRock as a little 6th grader. We saw her confidence and stamina boost leaps and bounds after joining the program. She inspired me to join as an assistant coach.
Inna Platner
Assistant Coach
Joined WeROCK 2023
- 12x Half-marathon Finisher
- 5x Marathon Finisher
- 5x 50K Finisher
- 2x 50 mile Finisher
- 4x Ragnar Race Participant
When not running or climbing mountains, Coach Inna loves to cook and create new recipes and adventure with her kids.
Don Juan Avila Middle School
Andrea "Coach K" Kooiman
Head Coach
Executive Director & Co-Founder
- 100+ Marathons
- 50+ Ultramarathons
Race accomplishments include the Boston Marathon, LA Marathon, Chicago Marathon, the Grand Slam of Ultra (running the 4 oldest trail 100’s within an 11 week period of time), Badwater 135 3x, HURT 100 and the Mt. Gaoligong Ultra in China!
Jamie Barbieri
Assistant Coach
Kelly Brunke
Assistant Coach
Ladera Ranch Middle School
Jennifer Castaneda
Head Coach
Bernadette Schaff
Assistant Coach
- 1x Marathon Finisher
- 9x Half Marathon Finisher
- Certified Personal Trainer
Bernadette's role at WeROCK has evolved over the years. Starting as a parent volunteer and a runner's aide to her son, she has grown into a coach, guiding and inspiring others on their running journeys. Her dedication and enthusiasm have led her to become a certified trainer, co-designer, and owner of WebFitness.com, an online fitness and health platform. Bernadette's next coaching venture will be at Ladera Ranch Middle School in the fall of 2024, where she will continue to make a positive impact.
Todd Perry
Assistant Coach
Raj Patel
Assistant Coach
Las Flores Middle School
Caitlyn Fowler
Head Coach
Joined WeROCK 2023
- Ran first marathon with WeROCK
- 12+ Half Marathons
- 5 Ragnar Relays
- Loves to Snowboard
Fell in love with running in my early 20s. Didn’t think I could complete a FULL marathon until my 6th grader (Emjae) crushed her first marathon at 11. I thought completing a full marathon wasn’t for me until I found WeRock. Now I’m ready to officially be a “marathon” runner.
Amy Kotschdoff
Assistant Coach
Joined WeROCK 2013
- 1x Marathon Finisher
Amy has been an avid fitness freak for the past 25 years! She done almost everything except the marathon! From multiple Mud Runs at Camp Pendleton to a Spartan race, with numerous 5ks and 10ks along the way. Amy also completed both half marathons with WeRock last year and is ready for the full challenge in 2024.
Zoe Arrieta
Assistant Coach
Coach Smathers
Assistant Coach
Newhart Middle School
Andrew Straus
Head Coach
Joined WeROCK 2019
- 5 Marathons
- 2 Ultramarathons
- Countless naps after training sessions
Coach Andrew is a former “non-runner” who began his running journey 5 years ago after being inspired by his son going through the WeROCK program as an 8th grader. He is passionate about coaching and working with kids to help them set and reach their goals. Andrew is returning as Head Coach of the NMS team for Fall 2024.
Melanie Smith
Assistant Coach
-
3x ultramarathon finisher
-
3x marathon finisher
John Henderson
Assistant Coach
Joined WeROCK 2019
- 1x Marathon (soon to be 2)
- 9x Half-Marathon Finisher
Evelyn Nguyen
Assistant Coach
Joined WeROCK 2019
- 3x Full Marathons
- 25x Half Marathons
- 1x 15K Trail Race
- 9x 10K Races
- 1x 6K Trail Race
- 16x 5K races
High School
Tu Nguyen
Head Coach
Joined WeROCK 2020
- 3x Marathon Finisher
Robin Ensor Kopf
Assistant Coach
Joined WeROCK 2014
Mike McNicholas
Assistant Coach
Joined WeROCK
Lexi McNicholas
Assistant Coach
Joined WeROCK
Saturday Coaches
Coach Keith
Saturday Coach
Joined WeROCK 2017
- 9x Marathon Finisher
- RRCA Certified Run Coach
Keith is a certified Run Coach, triathlete, and avid cyclist. Coach Keith has been with WeROCK since 2017 as a parent, and coach. Keith is returning as Head Coach of the AVMS team for Fall 2024!
Sienna Pixley
Assistant Coach
Ed Arpawong
Assistant Coach
Keiko Shimada
Assistant Coach
Joined WeROCK 2016
- 7x Marathon Finisher
- Many Half Marathons
Inspired by her daughter's WeRock experience, she has rediscovered her love for running and is now determined to push her limits as an Ultra Marathoner.
Allison Schoeberl
Saturday Coach
Joined WeROCK 2022
- 59 time half marathon finisher
- 2 (soon to be 3) time marathon finisher
Coordinators
Rachel
Volunteer Coordinator
Joined WeROCK 2010
Several years ago, encouraged her son to join Students Run LA (SRLA) where she met Coach K as an energetic and passionate parent volunteer with a dream! Fast forward Rachel is still with Coach K coordinating all the WeROCK program volunteers each week.
Gina Hylton
Fundraising Coordinator | Compound Lead
Joined WeROCK 2010
- 6x Marathon Finisher
- 30+ Half Marathons
Started coaching kids 17 years ago when her eldest son Tyler participated in the Students Run Los Angeles (SRLA) program out of DJAMS. Her youngest son, Josh, ran his first marathon the first year of WeROCK and Gina has been a part of WeROCK as a Coach and volunteer since.
Jona Williams
Compound Coordinator | Saturday Coach
Joined WeROCK 2015
- 1x Marathon Finisher
- 100x+ 1/2 Marathon Finisher
Jona is an athletic WeROCK activist. Coach Jona started as a parent of a WeROCK runner and has continued with the program as a Coach ever since.
