THE BEST OF THE BEST!
5 Star Track Coaches!
BERTINA F. RICHARD
Head Coach
Bertina F. Richard has been the head coach of St. Charles Striders for 11 years. She is a native of Mamou, La. and currently resides in Destrehan, La. She is also an alumni of the University of Louisiana at Monroe and competed from 2000-2004 in the high jump, long jump, triple jump, and javelin. Coach Richard love Track & Field and enjoys working with our youth.
DAMIEN RICHARD
Assistant Head Coach | Long and Triple Jump, Strength & Conditioning Coach
Damien Richard is entering his 11th season as the jump, strength & conditioning coach and his 15th season coaching the Striders. He is a native of Norco, LA and a graduate of Destrehan High School. He is also an alumni of University of Louisiana Monroe where he was a four year starter as a strong safety for the Warhawks (2001-2004). He also attained his Associate degree in Process Technology from SCLTC in 2015.
Damien's attributes his wisdom and knowledge of track and field from coach Ulysses Fronta.
"Because of coach Fronta's toughness and eagerness to work with me, I was able to earn All State honors in Long Jump, Triple Jump, and having the best jump in the state at that time (24'5.)"
-Damien RichardÂ
Damien brings his love for education and sports to the Strider Family and hope each athlete and their parents get the same experience.
LYNOL GAUFF
Distance/mid-distance Coach
Coach Lynol is excited to be beginning his eight year of coaching with the St. Charles Striders. He graduated from East Saint John High School in 1999 where he participated in cross country and track. He has completed various road races in the metro New Orleans areas (5ks, 10ks, obstacle runs) and has completed several half marathons all over the world. He is looking to complete his first full marathon in Hawaii soon. Coach Lynol graduated from Herzing University with both a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and a master’s degree in Construction Management.  He and his wife Miriam have been married for 17 years and have two children together Joshua (27) and Xavier (20).
JALEN RICHARD
Throwers, Strength & Conditioning Coach
Jalen Richard has been coaching the Striders for 4 years. He began his track career as a Strider and threw the shot put for 7 years.  He graduated from Destrehan High School in 2019 where he played football and threw the shot put. Jalen now attends Southeastern University. He will also be the new Throwers Coach at Ponchatoula High School in 2023.
ULYSSES FRONTHA
Hurdles & Sprinters Coach
Resident of Destrehan, LA and graduate of Destrehan High (1969), Coach Frontha has 30 years of track experience. He is the former head coach at Huntington High (Shreveport, LA 1980-1990), Destrehan High (Destrehan, LA 1992-2009), West St. John High (Edgard, LA 2012-2015), Huntington High (Shreveport, LA 1980-1990. He is also the founder of the St. Charles Striders Track Team (1992).
NATHANIEL HENRY
Middle distance & distance coach
Coach Henry served in the United States Military. U.S. Army-82nd Airbone Medical Corpsman 1967-1970. He began coaching track and field in 1985 with the Greater New Orleans Streakers Track Club. In the late 90s, Coach Henry began coaching with the St. Charles Striders Track Team. In addition, he is the assistant track coach at Destrehan High School (Destrehan, LA). He also attained his CECP in 2003.