July 13, 2023
LSSC’s Cristy Snellgroves selected as Women’s Distance Coach for USA Track & Field at Pan American U20 Championships
By Kyle Coppola
LSSC’s Cristy Snellgroves selected as Women’s Distance Coach for USA Track & Field at Pan American U20 Championships
LEESBURG, Fla. – Lake-Sumter State College (LSSC) cross-country head coach Cristy Snellgroves has been selected as the Women’s Distance Coach by USA Track & Field for the Pan American U20 Championships, being held August 4-6, 2023, in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.
The Pan American Under-20 Championship is comprised of countries and territories in the western hemisphere. The meet is held every two years, alternating years with the Under-20 World Championships.
“I am very excited to be a part of the success of Team USA and share in the journey of these talented young athletes,” says Cristy Snellgroves, LSSC cross country head coach. “It is one of my greatest joys to watch a student-athlete experience growth and development through their involvement in athletics. This selection to represent the USA as a coach is a great honor and a testament to the mentors that have shared their guidance and believed in me throughout my career.”
Coach Snellgroves boasts an impressive resume as a two-time U.S. medalist in the 50-mile National Championships, a bronze medalist at the Comrades Marathon 89k South Africa, and over 130 marathons completed in her running career.
Snellgroves currently coaches track and cross country at the National Training Center in Clermont, serving elite and Olympic-level athletes.
(Cristy Snellgroves far right coaches for LSSC and will get the chance to coach Women’s Distance for USA Track & Field at the 2023 Pan American U20 Championships!)
“Coach Cristy Snellgroves’ appointment as a coach at the Pan American U20 Championships with USA Track & Field speaks to her expertise, passion, and commitment to train and inspire athletes to their full potential,” said Dr. Heather Bigard, President of Lake-Sumter State College. “Coach Snellgroves is an excellent representation of this College’s commitment to the pursuit of excellence in support of our students and community. We all wish Coach Snellgroves and these athletes the best as they compete on an international stage in Puerto Rico.”
In general, athletes who finish in the top-2 of events at this championship will qualify for the Pan Am Games in Chile this October. Stay up-to-date on these events by visiting USATF.org or following USA Track & Field on social media.
LSSC’s men’s and women’s cross country athletes compete throughout the fall. Visit lakehawksports.com for up-to-date schedules and information.
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
