Dave Caldwell, Head Coach

My coaching career began in 1997 at the Community Colleges of Spokane, where I gained six-years of experience working with the multi-event athletes (heptathletes and decathletes), jumpers, distance runners, and sprinters.  From there, I moved onto colleges in Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington, leading competitive programs at Mt. Hood Community College and Clark College, all the while coaching countless All-Americans and Conference Championships in events ranging from the 100m to the 10k in track, as well as the Cross-Country 5k (women) and 8k (men). 

My commitment to all of my runners is unwavering.  It is my objective to study their kinetics, understand and enhance their psychology and motives for running, enhance their physical and psychological skillsets as a runner, and help each of them reach their potential in events ranging from the 100m through the 5k.  This means every runner, whether a sprinter or a distance runner, should be able to see improvements and run respectable times following each training cycle.  I understand runners will want to focus on specific events, however it is important to be able to have both top-end speed, as well as the physical and emotional endurance to sustain high levels of speed-endurance.

I earned my Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science and then my Masters of Science in Sport & Exercise Psychology.  Though my degrees have landed me a nice career at Clark College where I teach adult health and physical education classes, Whisper Running has enabled me to implement my degrees further into each training session.  Whether an athlete needs general conditioning, speed-endurance training, anxiety management, or simply to learn how to run and race, it is my objective to help runners reach their running goals.

To remain sharp in the field of Sport Psychology, I speak at annual coaching clinics on topics such as Goal Setting, Visualization, Anxiety Management, and more, providing tangible strategies coaches can implement the next day at their practice.  Appreciating the influence a coach may have on an athlete, I am highly sensitive to what and how I communicate for the betterment of my runner’s progress.  Teaching about communication, self-talk and developing self-confidence is paramount in a positive, healthy, and sustainable working relationship with a middle school and high school runner.  I recognize that in addition to developing a runner, I am also developing person who will learn to set goals in many facets of their lives, become a better peer and citizen, and live a healthy lifestyle. 

Sport Psychology and Exercise Science are fields of study I implement in my own life on a daily basis.  I raced in the 400m and 800m in both high school and college and in my late 30’s began racing in local, national, and international half and full marathons.  I am driven to remain in peak condition so that I can run with the groups of runners that I train during each practice, ensuring that they are running their prescribed pace during each workout.  I have had the blessing of qualifying numerous times for both the New York City Marathon and the Boston Marathon, having run Boston twice so far.

Why Whisper?

When my daughter entered middle school cross-country, I was impressed by her head coaches knowledge and enthusiasm, as well as his ability to juggle over 100 middle school runners (all girls).  However, as I began to look around the conference, I noticed a severe need for off-season training.  Many kids attend their track or cross-country practice, only to stand around and/or socialize, not knowing or realizing that track and cross-country are very real sports and they might be able to do fairly well if they are provided with the appropriate training and support system in which to do so.  Running training is a real science, both psychologically and physically.  Like any other sport, running needs off-season training in order to maximize ones potential during season.  As I looked around the middle school conference, I saw this need for off-season training and in October 2016, after coaching for over 20-years, Whisper Running was formed. 

If you are still reading this, then I want to thank you for your time thus far.  Please send me an email using the contact link (above right) so we can get your child started in training for the up-coming season!

Hillary McKinstry, Assistant Distance Coach

“I first started running in elementary school with my school’s track program.  At 11 years old I ran my first 5K and was hooked.  I grew up in Southern California and went to Yucaipa High School where I ran both cross country and track, primarily competing in the 1600m and 3200m.  After high school I attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where I ran cross country and track, competing in the 3000m and 5000m.  I still love running but these days prefer the longer distances and have moved into the world of ultra-trail running.  I have 4 children, all who run, and nothing gives me more joy than to be able to run with them.  I started working with Coach Dave and the Whisper Running kids and love the excitement and dedication each one of them has.  I am excited to be able to share my experiences and love of running with them.

Hilary Garrison, Sprint Coach

Hilary Garrison is a sprint/jump coach with experience coaching high school track for over 14 years. Hilary’s track career began in high school where she was a three-time Oregon state champion in the 100 meter and long jump, as well as four-time state champion runner up in the triple jump and a 200 meter. After high school Hilary excepted a scholarship to run for the University of Oregon and enjoyed a successful collegiate career as a sprinter and jumper.
Hilary has since coached at multiple high schools (Thanks to career moves), and has now settled back into the Pacific Northwest. High schools that include Oregon Espicopal school (OES), Mountain View High school in Bend Oregon, South Eugene and Excel Christian school in Sparks Nevada. In addition to coaching high school track Hilary has worked in speed and mobility with athletes across multiple sports. She has a passion for coaching middle and high school and loves diving into the fundamental of speed and agility with her athletes. Coach Hilary began with Whisper in the winter of 2018.

Kyle Leif, Assistant Distance Coach, Physical Therapist

Kyle is Physical Therapist with over 14 years of experience treating sports and orthopedic injuries.  He is certified by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties in Sports (SCS) and Orthopedics (OCS). He also holds certifications as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist (SCS) and Running Coach (RRCA Level 1). Kyle is a PT at Washougal Sport and Spine and specializes in running.  He uses a combination approach that is individualized to each patient to treat and prevent injuries and improve performance. As a runner, Kyle has been running marathons and ultra marathons or over 19 years, but now with younger children, he also enjoys local 5k and fun runs. Kyle began with Whisper in the summer of 2018.

Alan Wiest, Assistant Coach, Professor of Health and Physical Education at Clark College

Alan is a Professor of Health and Physical Education at Clark College and has been teaching Health, Fitness Education, and Physical Education since 2001. Alan received his bachelor’s and master’s degree (2001/2003) from the University of Oregon in Exercise and Movement Science. In college, he was a sprinter and threw the javelin for Lane Community College and rowed for a year at the University of Oregon. Alan is an avid hiker and is attempting to climb the tallest mountain in all fifty states. He enjoys outdoor adventures with his beautiful wife and their two young daughters.

Matt Scholer, Assistant Coach - Sprints, Teacher, Soccer Coach

Matt is an assistant Track & Field Coach at Clark College, as well as a teacher and 6A Boys Soccer Coach in Portland.  Matt ran in college at Warner Pacific, while earning his Bachelor's Degree. He went on to earn his MAT at Concordia University. At Clark College, every sprinter Matt has coached at Clark College has competed in one or more events at Championships. He is a student of Track & Field, always learning new ways to improve his athlete's performances. His passion is working with youth, striving to be a positive influence in his community, and helping young students and athletes succeed. Matt happily lives nearby Clark College with his family, including his wife, step daughter, and newborn daughter.