Coaches

Joshua Small

Coach Small has been a teacher and coach with Valley Christian since 2005.  Graduating from Fresno Pacific University with a degree in Kinesiology, he later attended Santa Clara University for his graduate studies in Education.  While in college he helped the FPU Cross-Country team to a top 25 national ranking in 1998 and 1999. He won the GSAC conference championship at 10,000 meters and was a two time qualifier for the NAIA track & field championships.  After college Coach Small competed for adidas Transports and later the Nike Farm Team, an Olympic development team based at Stanford University where he was a proud member of the "self-proclaimed C-Team."  He set personal bests in the 3,000 meters to the marathon and finished as the first American finisher in the 2004 LA Marathon (out of 25,000 participants). Coach Small is still running recreationally and since his 2nd place finish in the 2007 Silicon Valley Marathon he recently finished 1st in the baby stroller division where he pushed his son Zachary to a 5k finish of 18:06.

Coach Small helped guide the Warriors to the Cross Country State Championship five of the past six seasons and in 2008 coached Jennifer Bergman to the Footlocker National Championship and Mercury News "Runner of the Year" honors.  Also in 2008 as distance coach he helped guide the Girl’s Track and Field team to their first CCS title.



Jonathon Lee

Coach Lee joined Valley Christian Schools in 1996. Lee graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelors of Science degree and later earned his Masters degree from the University of San Francisco. He has been running since 1975 and has finished 11 marathons and two Olympic Distance Triathlons. He is still active in competitions and is currently training for an Iron Man Triathlon. Lee has two children, Christian and Jon-Martin. He has also been an active member in the Campbell Church of Christ since 1986.

Coach Lee guided the Valley Christian boys to a BVAL Championship in 1999 which was followed with the girls winning the league title in 2000. Coach Lee was named coach of the year for the BVAL (West Valley Division) in 2000 and 2001. His team has been awarded the CCS Scholastic Honor Award (Top GPA in girls Cross Country).  Coach Lee has been coach during all 6 cross country state appearances in school history.


Kristin Houp

The Valley Christian Warriors welcome 2008 graduate Kristin Houp to the Cross Country staff for the 2011 season. Houp is the Valley Christian school record holder in the 400 meters, high jump, 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 meter relay teams. She is a 3-time WCAL Champion at 400 meters and was CCS Champion in 2007 & 2008.

Her talents also extended to the distances as she is #6 all-time on the Warriors all-time list at 800 meters and is on the all-time top 20 performance list for cross country at the CCS and State Championships. While at Columbia University she was a member of the indoor 4 x 400 meter relay team that set and new school and Ivy League record (3:38.04) in 2010. Houp joins the Valley Christian staff while taking a semester off following 2 years at Columbia University.





Team Philosophy:

The Valley Christian coaching staff has established a disciplined cross country and track program that balances academic and athletic success, encouraging the spiritual development of the athletes. Coaches emphasize that individual improvement and responsibility leads to team unity and success.

The coaches of Valley Christian Cross Country define winning as more than having the fastest times or beating opponents, but going out and giving your individual best.  A winner perseveres through a challenging task where in the end you feel like you have gained something.  They have a well balanced life spiritually, academically and athletically.

It is imperative that cross country runners develop positive character traits like patience, courage, endurance, teamwork, sacrifice and perseverance to be successful. It is the team’s goal that every athlete learns and exhibits these traits.