Coaching Staff
Coach Gagnard founded the Chicago Flyers in 2009 to provide a safe, technically accurate and age-appropriate training environment which which serves all kids, regardless of ability. Coach Gagnard has been fortunate to train 6 National Champions, 16 State Champions and 28 athletes producing 42 All-American performances. The Flyers cross country teams have won the AAU State XC Championship, the Northern National AAU XC Championship and 7 x placed as a top 3 team at the Cross Country Coaches National Youth Championship. The most important accomplishment is that over 2900 athletes in the Chicagoland area have learned to embrace their talents and have fun running for the Flyers. The majority of the kids in the program continue in track/cross country in high school. Many athletes continue to run in college with D1 and D3 college programs.
In a year like no other, 2020, Coach Michelle Gagnard was a Regional Winner of the Positive Coaching Alliance's Double-Goal Coach Award® by TeamSnap because of the impact the Chicago Flyers have had on student-athletes in a time when it is needed most.
In addition to the leading the Flyers, Coach Michelle is the boys sprint coach at Downers Grove South, and offers private training for high school athletes and advises remote athletes and mentors young coaches.
Prior to founding the Chicago Flyers, Coach Gagnard was the Sprint Coach at Los Altos High School, CA, founded a Chicago youth triathlon club, was a CARA learn-to-run instructor, and taught performance groups. Michelle is dedicated to helping children grow in their personal confidence and character.
Coach Gagnard is a lifetime learner, constantly challenging multi-sport training systems to create the best athletes using science. She is USATF Level 1 certified and USATF Level 2 in Sprints/Hurdles/Relays. She is an International Youth Conditioning Association (IYCA) certified Strength Coach and certified in Universal Speed Rating. Injury-prevention and performance optimization training are from Muscle Activation Technique MAT-Jump Start Certificate, Reflexive Performance Reset-Level 1, Be Activated-Level 1. Coach is certified with the Positive Coaching Alliances AAU Double-Goal Coach: Coaching at Winning & Life, as well as, USATF's SafeSport training program. She is an annual attendee and student of the Track Football Consortium Education Series, (2018-2024). She is a lifetime member of the American Swim Coach Association and World Swim Coach Association and continues to cross-learn from world renown coaches. She is also a regular attendee at meetings and training by the US Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCA) and IL Track & Cross Country Coaches Association (ITCCCA) training.
My name is Max Lupo and this is my second year coaching with the Chicago Flyers. I am from Elmhurst, Illinois, and a York High School graduate. I ran cross country and track for 4 years at Western Illinois University. My degree is in physical education, with a minor in health and special education.
Some of my running accomplishments: Competed in the Illinois 3A State Championship finishing 3rd as a team, breaking a 50+ year old meet record in the 4 x 800, as well as earning most improved athlete at the end of my senior year.
My favorite thing about coaching is seeing kids improve in their sport while learning life lessons along the way. I can’t wait to be back on the coaching staff this year as a head distance coach for the Flyers while doing my best to give everyone the best experience.
My name is Lily Eddington and I am a sophomore at Downers Grove North High School where I run cross country and distance track. This is my 2nd year coaching xc for the Chicago Flyers program and last summer I coached track with the Little Flyers. I was part of the DGN xc state team in 2022 and state track team in 2023. I competed in the 800m and was part of a 4x800 team. My favorite event is the 1600 meter.
Hi I’m Will Surratt. I have been a runner my whole life. I’m currently a Junior at Downers Grove North and I was a part of the state champion cross country team along with the state champion 4x8 team in track. I am excited to pass on my knowledge of running to the younger kids and mentor them as they grow as runners.
Madi has been running for four years and is currently a freshman at Oak Park River Forest High School. She has competed at Nationals in both cross country (CCCNYC) and track and field (AAU Junior Olympics), with the 1500 meters and the steeplechase being her favorite events.
Hi, I’m Mateo Ramiro-Garcia. I am a senior at Carl Sandburg High School. I have been running since my freshman year, I am part of 2 All State relays, and I am an individual All Stater in the 800m. This will be my first year coaching at Chicago Flyers and I’m excited to be able to share my passion for running to the younger kids.
Hi, my name is Kate Campbell and I’m currently a sophomore at OPRF. I participate in cross country, indoor track, and soccer. This is my first year coaching cross country, and I love it! My favorite running events are the 800m, and especially the 1600m. I look forward to this amazing opportunity to work with younger kids on such an amazing sport!
Hi, I’m Henry Miller and I’m currently a sophomore running at Hinsdale Central. I ran with the Chicago Flyers in middle school and this is my second year as a coach. My favourite event is the 1600. I am looking forward to another year of coaching with the Flyers
Mark started road racing with his father in 1979 at the age of 5. During high school, Coach Miller was Virginia State Champion in the 4 X 800 relay and 3200 meter. He went on to be an NCAA All-America cross country runner for Truman State University. After college, Mark coached high school athletes for 12 years during his teaching career.
Coach Andrew has been coaching with the Flyers since the spring of 2023, working primarily with the sprinters. He is certified as a Positive Coaching Alliance Double Goal Coach.
Athletically, Coach Andrew grew up playing football and basketball and started running track & field in 7th grade as a sprinter and jumper. In high school, he started running cross country and continued in track as a distance runner. During his senior year, Coach Andrew started training and competing as a sprinter again, ultimately continuing track into college. He currently competes collegiately at the D3 level as a short sprinter and jumper at North Central College.
Outside of sports, Coach Andrew is studying history education and plans to become a history teacher and track coach at either a middle school or a high school. He also enjoys music and played the saxophone from 4th grade to sophomore year of college.
Track and other sports have had a huge impact on Coach Andrew's life and have fostered a love for sport. He strives as a coach to help young athletes grow this same love for sport.
