Head Coach: Michael Lucchesi
Michael started his coaching education while running at York High School in Elmhurst, IL. While running under former Olympic Distance Coach Joe Newton, he was a member of three state and four national championship teams in his four years. He became York's top runner his senior year while being named captain of the cross country and track teams. In college Michael ran under 38 year veteran coach, Gary Weineke. At University of Illinois Michael started as a walk on and worked his way up to All-Region honors while being named team captain.
After graduating college Michael coached numerous All-Americans at the NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and Junior College levels including three National Athletes of the Year. In 2013, he then started up a post-college racing team in Chicago while taking on athletes of all levels. His runners broke out in 2015 with over 70% achieving personal bests in their main event while qualifying 5 athletes from his team for the 2016 Olympic Marathon Trials; most ever for a Chicago based team. The Trials were highlighted by his wife Kristen, who was seeded 181st going in and came in 27th overall. In 2020; 9 SCTC athletes qualified for the Trials, 7 raced with all finishing in the top 80 highlighted by Colin Mickow in 15th and Dan Kremske in 27th. In 2022, SCTC had their first athlete make a World or Olympic team with Colin Mickow earning a spot for the US in this summer’s World Championships in Eugene. Over the last several years, over 80% of SCTC athletes have achieved PB’s in their main events.
Michael currently coaches runners and triathletes of all abilities at SCTC along with driving the premier distance team in Illinois. To date, SCTC athletes have qualified 19 times for the US Olympic Trials and 1 made a US National Team.
Health/Injury Prevention: Optimal Performance
Our mission is to help you function at your optimal potential. In order for the human body to properly heal, it must move optimally, think optimally and be fueled with optimal nutrition. There is not a cookie-cutter answer to healthcare and it must be individual in nature. The goal of Optimal Performance is simple: Help you to move, think, and eat better. Professional athletes and weekend warriors alike have received care with excellent results. Whether the goal is an Olympic medal, achieving proper posture, or running pain free, we have the expertise to make it happen. All treatment is safe, natural and without the use of drugs or surgery.
Schedule a session: www.opmovement.com/schedule or- 312-810-0886
Team : Dr. Ryan, Dr. Caitlin, Jude A. LMT, Adam W. Strength and Conditioning
Massage Therapy: Dave Davis
Dave Davis (davis2134@comcast.net) is as good as they get when it comes to massage therapy. He has been working on runners since 1982 and has been our go to guy from the beginning. Whether it's working on an injured area or just a pre-race massage, we trust Dave 100% in helping our athletes stay healthy and be their best when it counts.
