Coach Medrano enters his third season as an assistant coach with Texas Lutheran University’s Cross Country and Track & Field programs, bringing a strong background in leadership, performance training, and athlete development.
A U.S. Air Force veteran, Medrano served 11 years with deployments in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve, leading over 100 airmen. He became a certified Lead Military Personal Training Leader and TRX Certified Trainer, personally training more than 3,000 service members. His leadership helped his squadron earn “Top Fit Squadron” honors in 2010 and 2011. During his military service, Medrano coached multiple championship football and volleyball teams and earned four perfect fitness test scores, receiving Warhawk Honors for excellence.
At TLU, Medrano played a key role in assembling a standout recruiting class that shattered numerous school and conference championship records during their inaugural season. He coached the 400m, 400m hurdles, and 800m events in his first two years. Starting in the 2025-2026 season, he will oversee the sprint group.
In the 2024-2025 season, under his guidance freshman Braylen Brown earned All-Region honors, set a Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) record in the 400m (47.24), was named the 2025 SCAC Men’s Track and Field Newcomer of the Year, and earned All-American honors.
Rickey Franks broke the program record in the 400m hurdles with a time of 53.77 seconds, earned All-Region honors and became SCAC Champion in the event with a winning time of 53.98 seconds.
The Texas Lutheran 4x400m relay team comprised of Caden Keller, Gavino Ramirez, Eden Perez, Caden Keller — known as the “freshman four,” won the 4x400m relay with a new SCAC record time of 3:14.68.
Katie Kostelnik placed third at the conference championship in the 400m dash with a time of 58.43 seconds, currently ranks 4th in program history, while Kamilah Tanner’s 400m hurdles mark of 1:06.39 earned 5th at conference and sits 3rd in program history.
Under the leadership of Head Coach Ron McCown, and with key contributions from assistant Coach Medrano during the 2023-2024 season, the Bulldogs delivered a statement performance at the SCAC Championships. In his first season, Coach Medrano played a pivotal role in helping the Bulldogs break the SCAC record in the 4x100-meter relay.
The Bulldogs opened the finals session by repeating as SCAC 4x100m relay champions in record-breaking fashion. The team of Bryce Powell-Chimene, Rickey Franks, Justin Freeney, and Weston Guzman clocked 40.81 seconds, setting a new SCAC record. The 4x100m relay ranked as high as fourth nationally in NCAA Division III in the 2024 season.
Texas Lutheran continued to build on its success with strong individual and team efforts. Powell-Chimene added another second-place finish in the 400 with a time of 48.41 to take third-place with a performance in the 200-meter dash, clocking 21.64 seconds. Franks earned a third-place finish in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 56.38 seconds.
On the women’s side, the quartet of Tanner, Kostelnik, Natalie Garcia, and Ja’Keia Williams delivered an impressive performance, racing to a bronze medal finish in the 4x400m relay. Adding to the team’s success, Kostelnik also earned individual honors with a third-place finish in the 400-meter dash.
Prior to TLU and transitioning from military service, Medrano had spent four years coaching Track and Field and Cross Country in AAU and USATF programs, achieving:
191 National qualifying athletes
52 USATF National Qualifiers
2021 Cross Country National Champion
3 USATF Cross Country All-Americans
11th nationally ranked runner in XC in the 5k
5 nationally ranked XC runners in the 4k
31 All-Americans
2 1500-meter All-Americans
2 Long Jump All-Americans
3 Top 15 nationally ranked long jumpers
8 Top 30 nationally ranked 100- and 200-meter runners
17 Top 20 nationally ranked 1500- and 3000-meter runners
3 Top ten 800-meter runners
7 Top ten nationally ranked 4x800-meter relay teams
12th ranked 4x400 meter relay team
Medrano continues to elevate Texas Lutheran’s program through his dedication to discipline, athlete development, and competitive excellence.
