While the Frederick Striders seek to build exceptional athletes, the club's ultimate goal is to build well-rounded young men and women. Our coaching staff focuses on building dedication, discipline, motivation and self-confidence.

Debbie Thompson Brown, Head Coach
Coach Debbie founded the Frederick Striders Track & Field Club in 1989. She has over 40 years of experience in the sport as a competitor and coach. In 1964 Debbie went to Tokyo, Japan as a member of the U.S Olympic team. In 1965 the U.S. State Department sent her to Australia as one of its athletic goodwill ambassadors. She then went to Europe as a member of the U.S. team competing in indoor track meets in Poland and West Germany – all of this while she was still 17. She set world records in the indoor 60 yard dash and outdoor 100 yard dash. In 1979 she was the first Frederick county female inducted into the Alvin G. Quinn (Fred. Co.) Sports Hall of Fame. She was also inducted into the Maryland Sports Hall of Fame in 1990. Over the past 10 years she has received AAU Coach of the Year Award at least 5 times.

Charles Brown, Weight Coach
Coach Brown is the co-founder of the Frederick Striders and is married to Debbie. Charlie competed in the 440 yard dash and the triple jump at Lincoln High School. He is a member of the 1961 Maryland State Basketball Championship Class C. He was inducted into the Alvin G. Quinn (Fred. Co) Sports Hall of Fame, for basketball, in 1997. His athletes have earned numerous medals in the shot put and discus events.

Willard "Billy" Talley, Sprint Coach
Coach Billy has been with the Frederick Striders since 1989, specializing in the sprint and relay events. He competed in the 220 and 440 relays for Gaithersburg High School. He has coached Little League Baseball as well as youth basketball and football.

Brent Ayer, Distance Coach
Coach Brent has been with the Frederick Striders for 8 years. He holds distance coaching certification from the Road Runners Club of America. He also has a Level II Endurance coach’s certification from USA Track & Field. Currently he is the Head Cross Country Coach at Hood College in Frederick.

Kevin Price, Assistant Coach
Coach Price has been with the Frederick Striders for 4 years. During his 27 years in the United States Navy he enjoyed running and continues to do so. He is the father of two Strider athletes who have competed in the AAU National Championships. He works with our 8 and under athletes.

Barbara "Barb" Leishman, Assistant Coach
Coach Barb has been with the Frederick Striders for 3 years. She competed collegiately at William & Mary College, specializing in the Heptathlon. She was the Boys Head Track Coach at Linganore High School, leading them to more than 10 state championships. Currently she is a teacher at Walkersville Middle School.

John Dodoo, Assistant Coach
Coach John has been with the Frederick Striders for 2 years. He was an All-American Long Jump and Triple Jumper while in college. He participated in the 1976 Olympics in the long and triple jump, held in Montreal, Canada representing his country, Ghana.

Chris Brown, Auxiliary Coach
Coach Chris has been with the Frederick Striders for 2 years. He is a former runner who helps out where ever needed.