PURE ATHLETICS NATIONAL TRACK CLUB (NTC) offers Track & Field and Cross Country training and competitive opportunities for both adult and youth athletes, ages 7-18, with the mission to empower athletes to reach their full potential by developing self-confidence, leadership skills, sportsmanship, self-discipline, teamwork, and integrity through athletics. The program will promote athletic development by teaching fundamental skills in speed development, biomechanics, field events, and distance running.

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PURE Athletics NTC is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation in the State of Florida. The staff is comprised of USATF certified coaches, assistants, and parents, all with the mutual goal to provide a safe and positive atmosphere for athletic training for youth athletes.

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Training takes place at the National Training Center Track & Field Complex. All levels are welcome, from beginners to competitive athletes.

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DIRECTOR, CRISTY SNELLGROVES

 

is a dedicated leader with vast experience coaching athletes of all ages and levels, including youth, high school, collegiate, elite, and world-class athletes. Coach Snellgroves holds the highest level coaching certifications, USA Track & Field Level 3 and International Association of Athletics Federations Level V Elite Endurance and Sprints & Hurdles Coach. This is the most distinguished achievement awarded through both organizations and recognizes a coach throughout the world as an influential leader, commanding the knowledge to coach at the highest international levels of the track & field profession.

 

Coach Snellgroves' accomplishments include:

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• Asst. Sprints Coach Pure Athletics Elite

• Head Distance Coach Pure Athletics Elite

• Head Cross Country and Track Coach: Lake Sumter State College

• Director Pure Athletics NTC Track Club

• Team Liaison & Track Manager at the National Training Center

• 2025 US Men's Distance Coach Alternate: World Championships

• 2024 US Women's Distance Coach World Indoor Championships

• 2023 US Women's Distance Coach Pan Am Junior Championships

• 2021 Women's Distance Coach NACAC U23 Championships

• 2020 Head Manager: World Junior Track & Field Championships-Kenya

• 2019 US Distance Coach: The Match - Europe vs. USA-Belarus

• 2017 US Women's Distance Coach: Pan Am Junior Championships-Peru

• IAAF Level V Elite Endurance and Sprints & Hurdles Coach

• USATF Level III Endurance Coach and Sprints & Hurdles Coach

• USTFCCA Injury Management for Track & Field

• USTFCCA Sports Science for the Endurance Events

• USTFCCA Strength & Conditioning

• USATF Certified Official

• Past President US Women's Track Coaches Association

• Executive Board Member US Women's Commission

• US Representative NACAC Gender Leadership Program

• President & Founder Shine Symposiums - Education & Empowerment for Female Athletes

• 2010 & 2012 USATF 50 Mile National Championship Medalist

• 2012 Comrades Marathon 89K Bronze Medalist

• Completed over 135 marathons & ultra marathons, including marathons in all 50 U.S. States

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HEAD COACH, KAREN LA ROSA

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 has vast experience coaching athletes of all ages, including youth, high school, collegiate and adult athletes. Coach La Rosa's involvement in the PURE Athletics program spans almost a decade. Karen's broad vision and focused coaching philosophy embodies her as an exemplary leadership model. She holds an USATF coaching certification and has coached medalists in the Junior Olympics, Middle & High School State Championships, and Collegiate All Americans.

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Coach La Rosa's accomplishments include:

Coach La Rosa's accomplishments include:

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• Assistant Cross Country and Track Coach: Lake Sumter State College

• Head Coach Pure Athletics NTC Track Club

• USATF Certified Level 1 Coach

• USATF Principles of Endurance Certification

• Positive Coaching Alliance Double Goal Coach

• SafeSport Certified

• Co-Founder Shine Symposiums-Education & Empowerment for Female Athletes

• Drexel University Bachelor of Science

• Penn State University Masters of Professional Studies Human Resources and Employment Relations