Track & Field
Speed, strength, and endurance come together in The Dalton Academy Track & Field program! Whether you're a sprinter, distance runner, jumper, or thrower, our team provides student-athletes with the opportunity to train, compete, and push their limits. With a focus on discipline, teamwork, and personal growth, TDA Track & Field encourages athletes to set goals, break records, and represent our school with pride. Join us as we race toward success—one stride at a time! 🐾🏃♀️
Roster
Beautiful Vellon
Briayna Tarrant
Camila Valdez
Karen Pacheco
Legacey High
Makayla Bartley
Nissi Castaneda
Nora Ulloa Vargas
Zamiya Umble
Aidan Criswell
Anthony Quinto
Cannon Baker
Cesar Barrera
Charles Capehart
David Fraire
Devon Capehart
Jake Wilson
Logan Gibson
Max Adkins
Head Coach
Michaela Burke
Coach Michaela Burke grew up in Missouri, where she began participating in sports at an early age. Excelling in basketball, volleyball, softball, and track throughout high school, she was offered a college scholarship for track but chose to pursue basketball at a school further from home. This decision reflected a deep love for the game and an opportunity to pursue her true passion: a career in the mental health field. After earning a master's degree in School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health, Coach Burke pursued coaching, eager to share her knowledge and enthusiasm for athletics with the next generation.
Starting at Brookwood High School, Coach Burke served as the assistant track coach, focusing on developing the skills of the female throwers. In one season at BHS, Coach Burke had two athletes receive college offers to throw discus. After gaining valuable experience, she transitioned to Dalton, where she took on the roles of assistant girls' basketball coach and head track coach at TDA. With a diverse background in multiple sports and a commitment to fostering both athletic and personal growth, Coach Burke is dedicated to helping student-athletes reach their full potential on and off the field.
Assistant Coach
Chris Gibson
Chris Gibson resides in Dalton, Georgia, and was born and raised in Walker County, Georgia. He attended Ridgeland High School as a 9th and 10th grader, lettering in football, wrestling, and soccer, before transferring to Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School, where he graduated as a two-year letterman in football. Following high school Chris served four years in the Army Reserves in Chattanooga, Tennessee, before moving to Savannah, Georgia to become a firefighter/EMT.
In 2006, Chris left the fire service and served full-time in the Air Force, retiring in November 2021. During his years of service, he earned the Air Force’s Meritorious Service Medal, an Air Force Commendation Medal with a Combat device, an Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and an Air Force Achievement Medal. It was during this time that he also obtained a bachelor’s degree from Saint Leo University in 2008, graduating Magna Cum Laude, followed by a master’s degree from South University in 2012.
Following military retirement, Chris felt the calling to teach and received his teaching certification in History (grades 6-12), Health and PE, and Law and Public Safety.
Chris has two sons. Chase is 25, a graduate of Georgia Southern University, and lives in Savannah, Georgia as a marketing executive. Logan is a sophomore at The Dalton Academy and participates in basketball and track. His daughter Madison is 22, attends Grand Canyon University, and lives in Statesboro, Georgia. She is in school and hoping to become a teacher. In his personal life, he enjoys spending time with his best friend and fiancé Deanna. They are avid Braves fans, love to travel, and enjoy concerts and the beach.
This will be Chris’ second year as a coach at The Dalton Academy. Last year he served as an assistant coach on the Pumas’ track team. He will once again coach track and in addition, will serve as an assistant coach on the Pumas’ inaugural wrestling team. Last season as an assistant track coach, Chris had the honor of coaching Alicia Mendoza, who placed second in the shot put and discus in two different region meets, as well as Olivia Moore who placed and qualified for the region sectionals and narrowly missed qualifying for the state meet last April.
Chris is honored to be a part of the DPS family and can’t wait for wrestling season to start. He is looking forward to bringing the life lessons and self-discipline that he learned through his years of service in the military and public service to the mats and the track this year.
Assistant Coach
Stephanie Cole
Coach Cole's story starts right here in Dalton Georgia. She grew up on the other side of town, as some would say, and graduated from Southeast High School. However, her heart now lies with her athletes and students at The Dalton Academy (TDA). Adopted at the age of five, she was raised by two loving parents alongside her three vivacious brothers. Her family always supported her passion for sports, and she excelled in volleyball, basketball, and track. She was a region champion in the 200-meter dash during her junior year, but unfortunately, she couldn't complete her senior season due to the pandemic in 2020. Sports have always been a big part of her life, helping her through some of the toughest times. She firmly believes that sports provide students with a place to feel safe and belong.
Inspired by this belief, she decided to major in education at Dalton State College, aiming to shape students' lives both in the classroom and on the court as a coach. This is her first year as an assistant volleyball coach, and her goal is to empower her athletes, showing them that they can all achieve success. She is honored to be part of the effort to build up TDA volleyball and hopes to demonstrate to the students and the community the powerful impact their support can have on the athletes. So, she encourages everyone to keep them in mind and cheer, "Go Pumas!
