The Elgin Sharks is completely run by volunteers including multiple Coaches, Assistant Coaches, a Board of Directors and committee members. It is because of this hardworking leadership, especially the current and past Coaches, that The Sharks continue to grow and thrive each and every year! Below you can read more about our current leadership:
Active Coaching Team
Head Coach Kenny Nally
Coach Kenny ran with the Sharks as a youth and participated in the 1994 Cross Country Nationals. He previously coached Little League Baseball, but came back to the Sharks when Coach Pleticha passed away to help continue the teams legacy and honor Coach P. Over the past several years, Coach Kenny has worked to develop a successful sprint program for our track seasons. His son also runs for the team. Kenny is a USATF Level 1 Coach. 2024 AAU Zone C Coach of the Year award recipient.
Race Walking, Coach Diane Graham-Henry
Diane has been involved with the Elgin Sharks since 1990. She met Bob Pletica at a meet and he asked her to start a group of race walkers with the Elgin Sharks Track Club. She quickly agreed. Diane enjoys coaching the young athletes and watching them grow into national and international competitors. Diane is a USATF Level 2 Coach. 2024 USATF President’s Award recipient.
Coach Jeremy Lindsey
Jeremy’s children first started running for the Sharks in 2019 and he began coaching in 2021. You will often see Coach Jeremy taking lead with distance runner training and teaching technique for field events. Jeremy is a USATF Level 1 Coach. 2024 Positive Coaching Alliance Coach of the Year Finalist.
Race Walking, Coach Josefina Harris
Josefina got involved with the Sharks in 2017 when her daughter started racing for them. She began coaching the race walkers in 2021 and was mentored by Coach Diane. Josefina is a USATF Level 1 Coach.
Coach Ashley Dorantes
Ashley is a former runner and racewalker with the Sharks since 2015. She recently started coaching with the team. Ashley is a USATF Level 1 Coach.
Junior Coach Angelica Harris
Angelica is a longtime Shark and now a sophomore at Vanderbilt University. She continues to compete in race walking at both the national and world levels for U20 Race Walking while representing Team USA. Angelica is USATF SafeSport Certified. 2024 USATF Henry Laskau Award recipient.
Safe Sport Certified Assistant Coaches
Mike Gibb (USATF Cross Country Specialist) and Nicke Pittluck
Executive Board Members
Life Time Coach and Treasurer, Mary Pleticha
Mary’s husband, Coach Pleticha, founded the team in 1980. She began helping out in 1990 and has stayed an active part since. Mary loves seeing the Shark family grow and how original members bring their own kids back to participate. She is a USATF Level 1 Coach. 2025 AAU Jo Mirza Legend Award Recipient.
Board President Rachel Lindsey
One of Rachel’s children joined the team in 2019. She and her family fell in love with the community of the Shark’s team and now all four of her children are Sharks. She strongly believes that running is a beneficial activity for all children and loves helping the team in many ways! In addition to serving as board president, you will often see Rachel with her camera — capturing candid and competitive moments to share with families. Rachel is USATF SafeSport Certified.
Board Vice President Mel Gibb
Mel’s son joined the Sharks in 2022 and soon after, she began volunteering her time to plan events, welcome new families, and help with marketing and communications. Most of all, she enjoys cheering on our athletes and watching them tackle their running goals throughout the year. Mel is USATF SafeSport Certified.
Board Secretary Sarah David
Sarah’s family joined the Sharks in 2022. Sarah is USATF SafeSport Certified.
All coaches and board members can be reached by email: ElginSharks@gmail.com
Elgin Sharks 