Preston Taylor

Education

* University of Jamaica

o Major: Structural Engineering

o Four-year member of track team

o Student Sports Coordinator

Employment

* Plant Engineer, Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Washington, DC

Track and Field Coaching Experience

* Academy of the Holy Cross, Head Coach, 2009 – present

* Northwestern High School,  Assistant Coach, 2007-2008

* Hummingbirds Track Club, 2 years as Head Coach, 10 years as Assistant Coach

* USATF Level 1 Coaching Certification

* USATF Certified Official

* Experience with coaching nationally-ranked athletes and leading teams to Junior Olympics gold medals

Shawn Shannon: NFHS Certified, USATF Level 1 Certified, Speed Coach

Coach Shawn began his track career in Kingston Jamaica as a 400m/ 800m runner at John Mills Middle School. Coach Shawn earned a scholarship to attend Jamaica College, one of the best high schools in Jamaica, to compete on the track team. While at Jamaica College, he continued to excel in track, adding pole vault to his list of events, he assisted his team to several championships. After College, Coach Shawn continued to compete as a member of the Gideonites and Maryland Elite track clubs. 

Coach Shannon’s coaching career commenced while still in Jamaica. He began coaching his friends/team mates to become better track athletes.  He soon traveled to America and in 2006 started coaching the 15-16 year old girls’ team for the Hummingbirds Track Club, Greenbelt, MD.   A USA track and field certified Level 1 coach, Coach Shannon, is currently the assistant coach at Paint Branch High School for Cross Country and Track and Field.

Notable Athletes Coached

* Giovanni Reumante (Northwood 2008) – 400 50.5s, 800 1:56 

2A 800m State Champion 

* Derrick Powell (Northwood 2008) – 300 35.99s, 400 – 48.9s, 500 – 1:06 

2A 300m & 500m State Champion

* Keenan Woods (Northwood 2008) – Triple Jump 44’10.5 ft Long Jump 20’01 ft

Montgomery County Triple Jump Champion

* Le’Quisha Parker (Northwood 2008) – 200m 24.5s 

2A 200m State Champion

* Reginald Steele (Paint Branch 2010) – 100m 10.5s, 200m 21.07s

4A 100m & 200m State Champion

* Jamal Joseph (Paint Branch 2010) – 400m 50.80s

* Hayder Cherinet (Paint Branch 2011) – Cross Country 3.1 mi 16:44.0

* Manyo Nkiri (Paint Branch 2012) - 100m 11.10s, 200m 22.56s

* Malik Keels (Paint Branch 2012) - 200m 22.4s, 400m 50.02s, 500m 1:07.46

Montgomery County 500m Champion

* Tyler Nelson (Paint Branch 2012) - Triple Jump 43’06.25 ft, Long Jump 19’11

* Felicia Grizzle (Paint Branch 2012) -100m 12.37s, 200m 25.6s, Triple Jump 34’01

* Sytta Barry (Paint Branch 2013) – 200m 22.5s, 300m 36.75s, Long Jump 21’5

2 Cross Country Division Titles (2011 & 2012)