BRAD RETTIG – HEAD COACH
Coach Brad Rettig is an alumni of Lincoln High. He ran on both the cross country and track teams in the 1990’s, then competed for Nebraska Wesleyan. Brad is now a member of the Lincoln High P.E. department. Coach Rettig is married to Jess and has five children. Email Coach Rettig at brettig@lps.org.
ROD DROUD – LONG & TRIPLE JUMPS
Assistant Coach Rodney Droud graduated from York High School, then went on to compete in football and track at Nebraska Wesleyan University. He has coached (or co-coached) the Long and Triple Jumpers since 1991 and has been blessed with some of the greatest athletes Lincoln High has ever produced, winning 4 State Championships (3 boys and 1 girl) and several more state medalists. Coach Droud taught in LPS for 34 years and is currently the North Lincoln arrea Rep for Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He is married to Lori and has two children (both Lincoln High alums). Email Coach Droud at rdroud@lps.org.
ALEX CZERANKO – HURDLES
Assistant Coach Alex Czeranko graduated from Creighton Prep High School and UN-L. He taught in Randolph, Nebraska for 3 years before moving to Lincoln. He taught at Lincoln High for 18 years before finishing his teaching career at Lux and Scott Middle Schools. At Lincoln High he also coached football, girls basketball, and track. He moved to coaching small college football at Nebraska Wesleyan for 20+ years, while continuing to coach track at Lincoln High. He has coached the hurdles during his time as assistant track coach. Email Coach Czeranko at aczeran@lps.org.
KARA FOSTER – DISTANCE/WOMEN’S COORDINATOR
Assistant Coach Kara Foster is a graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan University where she was a member of the Women’s Cross Country team. Coach Foster is enthusiastic about helping all athletes push their current personal goals, experience success, connect with teammates and develop lifelong running habits. When not coaching at Lincoln high for track or cross country, Coach Foster can be seen teaching physical education, participating in professional organizations, or enjoying the outdoors with her husband and two sons. Email Coach Foster at kfoster2@lps.org.
TONI TUPPER – SHOT PUT
Assistant Coach Toni Tupper graduated from Lincoln Northeast High School and then went on to compete in the shot put for the University of Nebraska Lincoln track team. Coach Tupper is a special education teacher and head Unified Bowling coach at Lincoln High. In addition to teaching and coaching, Coach Tupper works part time for an adaptive rec center serving individuals with disabilities. When not working, Coach Tupper spends time listening to true crime podcasts, watching documentaries, hanging out with friends & family, and spending time with her dog, Gracie. Email Coach Tupper at ttupper@lps.org
BRADY SOUKUP- DISCUS
Assistant coach Brady Soukup graduated from Blair high school and then went to play football at Concordia University, Nebraska. Coach Soukup teaches at Pound Middle School and also coaches football and girls wrestling at Lincoln High. This is coach Soukup’s first year coaching track and field, but has experiences throwing both shot put and discus in high school. When not teaching and coaching, coach Soukup enjoys being active, collecting, and hanging out with friends and family. If you have any questions, please email me at bsoukup@lps.org.
IRVIN RAMIREZ-BENAVIDES – SPRINTS
HOLLI LUFF— HIGH JUMP
Assistant Coach Holli Luff graduated from Malcolm High School and then went on to compete as a high jumper and a right side hitter for Morningside College before transferring to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and walking on as a high jumper for a year before stepping away because of a reoccurring injury. Coach Luff has worked for Lincoln Public Schools for over 5 years as a Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for the Northeast region of the district. Coach Luff has coached at Mickle Middle School as well as Northeast before joining the Links!
When not teaching and coaching, Coach Luff spends as much time as possible outside in the garden or at the lake with her 2 dogs Caedie & Finn. Coach Luff also still plays volleyball, is a board member for the nonprofit Up Lifting Paws, teaches an ASL club and enjoys remodeling her home in her free time.
Email Coach Luff at hluff@lps.org
CHRIS JOHNSON— POLE VAULT
Email Coach Johnson at cjohnson@lps.org
VOLUNTEER COACHES:
DAVID CRABTREE: DISTANCE
Coach David Crabtree is an alumni of Lincoln High. He played football, basketball, and ran track at Lincoln High in the 2000s, then went on to play football at Hastings College. David taught at Dawes Middle School, where he was the Cross Country and Track coach for the past 3 years. David is a member of the Lincoln High Social Studies department. Coach Crabtree is married to Jocelyn and has two children, one a current Lincoln High link, and another a future link.
KENT SWANSON – THROWS
BOB WHITE – SPRINTS
JON DAWSON – DISTANCE COACH
Coach Dawson is a former Lincoln High Cross Country and Track Coach and LPS middle school social studies teacher. He has continued to give back to the athletes at Lincoln high through running a stopwatch with the Middle Distance and Distance athletes, and offering support and advice to all members of the team. In his free time, he loves spending time with his better half Ronda, works UNL track events and cycles on the trails.