Hershey Blaze TC Coaches & Volunteers
Coaching is a profession of love. You can't coach people unless you love them.
-- Eddie Robinson
-- Eddie Robinson
Hershey Blaze coaches come from all types of backgrounds here in the Central PA area. While our track and field abilities vary- the main goal is to provide a fun & safe environment for the children to enjoy this great sport while competing at a high level. All HBTC coaches are registered United States Track & Field(USATF) coaches and some have children competing in the club. We are truly a family environment.
HBTC coaches are also recreational athletes who run in various 5K's, half marathons and marathons. We don't just talk the talk...we are examples!! We're always looking for additional help & expertise with our youth. If you'd like to volunteer your time and become a coach with Hershey Blaze please contact us at [email protected].
HBTC coaches are also recreational athletes who run in various 5K's, half marathons and marathons. We don't just talk the talk...we are examples!! We're always looking for additional help & expertise with our youth. If you'd like to volunteer your time and become a coach with Hershey Blaze please contact us at [email protected].
Interested in Volunteer Coaching? We need you!
Hey Coaches and Volunteers!! If you have a desire to make an impact on youth through the sport of track & field and cross country or if you'd like to coordinate a Blaze site near you, we'd like to talk!
Click here to learn more about coaching requirements.
For questions, please contact Coach Alan Paynter at (717)508-4446 or you can email us here
Click here to learn more about coaching requirements.
For questions, please contact Coach Alan Paynter at (717)508-4446 or you can email us here
Our Founders
Head Coach/ Founder Alan Paynter- Hershey
USATF Coaching Certification- Level 1
Sprints & Relays
Children: Christopher, Maliyah & Jaren
Alan Paynter was inspired to form the Hershey Blaze Track Club by his own personal childhood experience with the Cinnaminson Track Club in NJ. By the time he and his wife settled in Central Pennsylvania and had their own children who wanted to run track they learned there was nothing in the area. So they entered meets as unattached runners and competed alone for a number of years. With the support and addition of a few other families in the spring of 2013, all of that changed. The Hershey Blaze Track Club was born!
Coach Paynter was a sprinter and football player at Lenape High School in South Jersey and earned a scholarship to the West Virginia Wesleyan College and later transferred to Kutztown University to play football. Upon graduation from college Coach Paynter accepted an assistant football and Head Boys & Girls Track Coach position at Central Catholic High School in Reading, Pa and Mechanicsburg Area High School. His high school athletes have gone on to earn more than 50 District & State medals and have become some the most successful track & field athletes in the Pennsylvania.
Professionally, Coach Paynter is an educator and formerly was a college admissions professional and Director for over 20 years. He is currently is the Director of College Counseling at Sacred Heart Academy in Bryn Mawr, PA. He is a sought after speaker and educator on college admissions topics and trends as well as overcoming adversity. Alan is a member of Iota Phi Theta, Fraternity, Inc., enjoys exercise and fitness as well as riding his bike. He has already completed several marathons and half marathons and soon taking on triathlons.
USATF Coaching Certification- Level 1
Sprints & Relays
Children: Christopher, Maliyah & Jaren
Alan Paynter was inspired to form the Hershey Blaze Track Club by his own personal childhood experience with the Cinnaminson Track Club in NJ. By the time he and his wife settled in Central Pennsylvania and had their own children who wanted to run track they learned there was nothing in the area. So they entered meets as unattached runners and competed alone for a number of years. With the support and addition of a few other families in the spring of 2013, all of that changed. The Hershey Blaze Track Club was born!
Coach Paynter was a sprinter and football player at Lenape High School in South Jersey and earned a scholarship to the West Virginia Wesleyan College and later transferred to Kutztown University to play football. Upon graduation from college Coach Paynter accepted an assistant football and Head Boys & Girls Track Coach position at Central Catholic High School in Reading, Pa and Mechanicsburg Area High School. His high school athletes have gone on to earn more than 50 District & State medals and have become some the most successful track & field athletes in the Pennsylvania.
Professionally, Coach Paynter is an educator and formerly was a college admissions professional and Director for over 20 years. He is currently is the Director of College Counseling at Sacred Heart Academy in Bryn Mawr, PA. He is a sought after speaker and educator on college admissions topics and trends as well as overcoming adversity. Alan is a member of Iota Phi Theta, Fraternity, Inc., enjoys exercise and fitness as well as riding his bike. He has already completed several marathons and half marathons and soon taking on triathlons.
Jennifer Paynter- Hershey
Head Club Administrator/ Co-Founder
Jennifer is often referred to as "the glue that keeps the club together and running". She is responsible for most of the day to day organization of the club as well as being the parent of 3 standout athletes. As a child, Jennifer herself was a multi-sport athlete from the Big Spring School District in Newville, PA. Her athletic talent as a defensive back in Field Hockey landed her a scholarship to play for the Kutztown University Golden Bears. It was during their college years when she and Coach Paynter met. As athletes, they often spent time working out together in the off season.
Jennifer is an at home mom and also the owner of Perfectly Paynted by Jennifer. She produces some of the best custom cupcakes and cakes one could ask for. Her baking has long been one of her greatest talents known by all. But it is the care, dedication and passion that she puts into that business that also fuels the Hershey Blaze Track Club.
Head Club Administrator/ Co-Founder
Jennifer is often referred to as "the glue that keeps the club together and running". She is responsible for most of the day to day organization of the club as well as being the parent of 3 standout athletes. As a child, Jennifer herself was a multi-sport athlete from the Big Spring School District in Newville, PA. Her athletic talent as a defensive back in Field Hockey landed her a scholarship to play for the Kutztown University Golden Bears. It was during their college years when she and Coach Paynter met. As athletes, they often spent time working out together in the off season.
Jennifer is an at home mom and also the owner of Perfectly Paynted by Jennifer. She produces some of the best custom cupcakes and cakes one could ask for. Her baking has long been one of her greatest talents known by all. But it is the care, dedication and passion that she puts into that business that also fuels the Hershey Blaze Track Club.
Hershey Site
Coach Chris Paynter- Hershey
Head Coach- 13-18 year olds
Coach Chris Paynter leads the Blaze middle and high school aged athletes with his talents in elite performance as a recent former Division I college athlete at Villanova University. He is currently the Head Men's and Women's Swimming Coach at Wilkes University. While he heads all aspects of the program at Wilkes, he is known for being quite skilled in individualized training tactics and is an expert sports performance motivator. Coach Paynter also is the sprinting coach for the Milton Hershey School and trained several record breaking athletes during his short tenure there.
While he was a member of one of Villanova University’s most successful swimming and diving teams, his accolades include being a two-time Big East champion and six-time All-Big East performer in the relays. His times place him among the top three fastest ever Villanova swimmers including holding 2 university program records.
Prior to attending Villanova, Coach Paynter was a standout member of the acclaimed Hershey Aquatic Club and Hershey High School Swim team where he was a NISCA All-American and an all-state performer in the 50 free and relays during his scholastic career. He was also a track & field athlete at Hershey High School leading the team in every event from the 100m to the 800m.
Head Coach- 13-18 year olds
Coach Chris Paynter leads the Blaze middle and high school aged athletes with his talents in elite performance as a recent former Division I college athlete at Villanova University. He is currently the Head Men's and Women's Swimming Coach at Wilkes University. While he heads all aspects of the program at Wilkes, he is known for being quite skilled in individualized training tactics and is an expert sports performance motivator. Coach Paynter also is the sprinting coach for the Milton Hershey School and trained several record breaking athletes during his short tenure there.
While he was a member of one of Villanova University’s most successful swimming and diving teams, his accolades include being a two-time Big East champion and six-time All-Big East performer in the relays. His times place him among the top three fastest ever Villanova swimmers including holding 2 university program records.
Prior to attending Villanova, Coach Paynter was a standout member of the acclaimed Hershey Aquatic Club and Hershey High School Swim team where he was a NISCA All-American and an all-state performer in the 50 free and relays during his scholastic career. He was also a track & field athlete at Hershey High School leading the team in every event from the 100m to the 800m.
Coaches David & Josie Vitale- Hershey
Distance / Blaze Cross Country Children: Giada(GiGi) & Luciana(LuLu) Coach Dave and Coach Josie are parents of two of our youngest Blaze athletes and a constant figure at our practices supporting all of our "Blaze Mini's". Both are highly competitive and experienced marathon runners as well as triathletes. The energy and commitment they bring to the organization is second to none. When they are not coaching they can almost always be found training intensely for their next major event. 
Coach Lindsey Wonchalk
Throwing Head Coach(Javelin) 
Coach Kathleen Dornes
Lebanon County Site Director Jumps Coach Coach Dornes is a Lebanon County native and a graduate of ELCO school district and Susquehanna University. She ran track for 12 years, competing in the sprints and relays. Coach Dornes has been an assistant track and field coach for Lebanon School District for the past 7 seasons where she coaches the jumps and 4x1 teams. Coach Dornes has coached 3 school record holders, 3 PIAA district 3 qualifiers, a league champion, a league runner up, a 3 time county champion, and a 2015 Junior Olympics qualifier in her time with Lebanon. |
Coach Quincy Hardison
10 and Under Coach Coach Quincy or "Coach Q" has been affiliated with the club since he was 10 years old. He's competed in all of the sprinting events and several relays, including a top 5 finishing relay at the National Outdoor Championships in Chicago. Quincy is a Central Dauphin East High School graduate and brings to the club a great deal of organizational history playing a major role in community building both as an athlete and now as a coach. Coach Q is currently attending York College of Pennsylvania where he's been a 2 yr captain of Track & Field Team and School Record Holder of the Indoor 4x200 relay. Coach Q is studying Criminal Justice. 
Coach Tyler Lenda
Throws Coach (Shot & Discus) Bio coming soon |
Coach Kevin Mobley- King of Prussia
Coach & Site Director Children: Isaiah & Mia Coach Mobley brings years of experience as a college football player and high school coach to the Hershey Blaze Track Club. He also was a high school track athlete at Harriton High School before college. Kevin earned a scholarship to play football at Kutztown University where he was a standout Defensive Back and recently named to the University's All Decade Team. As a high school football coach he's been a major part of the success of the Upper Merion High School football program. Kutztown Univeristy is where Coaches Mobley and Paynter developed a friendship. This is where he and his wife Chrissy also met. They are the parents of two amazing young athletes- one of which run for Hershey Blaze Track Club. As much as our coaches bring athletic experience to the sport our true goal is to model lifelong dedication and friendship for our athletes. As a result of this renewed bond between these coaches the Hershey Blaze Track Club is launching its Blaze KOP site in the summer 2016. Together with the Paynters, the Mobley family are dedicated to growing this site as a testament to the great success of the Hershey Blaze Track Club and making the organization a national power. |
