Coaches

Coach Ramirez comes from a solid running background. Born into a family of runners, his mother and father founded multiple youth running programs in Southern California – including the Simi Valley Running Rebels and the Valley Striders. Having a strong foundation as a boy, he excelled in high school (Royal High School in Simi Valley) running a 4:23 mile at the Arcadia Invitational. Competing in Cross Country with a stress fracture, and with limited training, Chris ran 14:46 on the Mt. SAC rain course, qualifying him for CIF State Finals as an individual. In college, he ran a personal best of 3:57 for the 1500m as a freshman at UCLA. After a series of back injuries, Chris decided to red-shirt his Sophomore year. He changed directions when he transferred to Azusa Pacific University. There, he was coached by Bill Reeves to many appearances at the NAIA championships in both Track and Field and Cross Country. In track, Chris competed in the 5000m running a personal best of 14:50. In Cross Country, he ran the 8k in 25:37 and earned All-American honors at the national meet. Beyond college, Chris went on to coach Track and Cross Country at Cedarville University in Ohio. There, he assisted the men’s and women’s distance teams to multiple national appearances and honors in the NAIA. He was also rewarded as part of the Coaching Staff of the Year for NCCAA Track and Field.

Amid his life of running, Chris has also served as the Program and Recreation Director at Phoenix Ranch School and Camp in Simi Valley. There, he led student council, produced the dramatic arts, and directed the summer camp.

Chris has also performed in the original cast of Aladdin, A Musical Spectacular at Disney California Adventure. He has sung at Tokyo Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and finally, back at the Disneyland Resort. Following his career as a performer, he worked in production for Walt Disney Imagineering – helping to bring to life the shows and entertainment at Disney Parks and Resorts worldwide.

Coach Carvalho has been a mathematics teacher at Claremont High School since 2011 and started coaching for Claremont HS cross country in 2020. Carvalho played softball for Claremont High School and later as a collegiate athlete at Pacific University. Before returning to her alma mater as a teacher, she taught mathematics and coached softball at Helen Bernstein High School in Hollywood for two years.

A life-long athlete, Carvalho became an avid runner after college, primarily for strength and conditioning. She has competed in numerous races at a variety of distances, with a half marathon PR of 1:43 and a 2nd place age group finish at the Mammoth Half Marathon among her accomplishments to date. She is currently training for a full marathon.