Coaches
COACH Z
Coach Bill Zarrella is the head of the track and field program here at the Ranch and the boys head track and field coach. He started coaching the boys distance runners in track in 2022 and has been the head boys cross country coach since 2019. Zarrella brings valuable experience in cross country and indoor and outdoor track. Zarrella coached at the high school level for 8 years in Massachusetts before moving to Florida to pursue a career in Law Enforcement.
During his time as a Deputy, Zarrella continued coaching and mentoring AAU athletes. Zarrella retired from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office in 2019 after 22 years.
Coach Z brings a seasoned perspective and valuable knowledge. He is excited to continue strengthening the program.
Contact Coach Zarrella: 941-726-0179 or kathi1818@aol.com
COACH RAE ANN
Coach Rae Ann Darling Reed is the head girls track and field and cross country coach at the Ranch. Since 2022 she has been coaching the girls middle distance (400/800) and distance (1600/3200) events. Darling Reed has coached high school cross country and track since 2001 at schools in Florida and Massachusetts.
Darling Reed competed in both cross country and track in high school and college. After graduating from Brown University and International University of Monaco, she focused on running longer distances and has experience training for and racing distances from 400 meters up to 57 miles. Darling Reed holds the following coaching certifications: USA Track & Field (USATF) Level 2 and Cross Country Specialist as well as Road Runners Club of America (RRCA). In addition to coaching at the high school level, she coaches adults of all ages and works as a Fit Expert at Fleet Feet Sarasota. She is excited to share her knowledge, experience, and love of running with the Mustangs!
Contact Coach Darling: 941-586-9375 or raeann.darlingreed@gmail.com or darlingreedr@manateeschools.net
COACH JEFF
Jeff Lukas coaches the throws - discus, javelin, and shot put.
Contact Coach Lukas: 941-713-8311
COACH DAVE
Dave Revord coaches the throws - discus, javelin, and shot put.
Contact Coach Revord: 941-780-7949
COACH AMY
Amy Haddad coaches the high jump.
Contact Coach Haddad: 508-667-2759
COACH DANE
Dane Dougherty coaches the pole vault.
Contact Coach Dougherty: 302-750-0324
COACH ASHLEY
Coach Ashley Palmer joins Lakewood Ranch High School as the Varsity Hurdles Coach for both the boys’ and girls’ track and field teams and will also be helping coach the sprint relays. A standout hurdler, Coach Palmer holds the 100-meter and 300-meter hurdle records at Sandy High School in Sandy, Oregon. She was a state runner-up her senior year by 0.1 seconds and placed in the top three in the district all four years in high school as a varsity hurdler, while consistently ranking among the top eight hurdlers in the state of Oregon at the 5A level. She was also a multi-sport athlete in high school and competed in basketball in addition to track and field.
Coach Palmer went on to compete as an NCAA track and field athlete, earning a full-ride scholarship at Utah Valley State University for two years before transferring to Brigham Young University, where she is a track and field alumna. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Health from Brigham Young University and an associate’s degree from Utah Valley State University. Throughout her athletic career, she has been influenced by a wide range of elite coaching philosophies and competitive environments, shaping her balanced approach to athlete development that emphasizes smart training, athlete care, and a positive environment.
Outside of athletics, Coach Palmer recently relocated to Florida with her family. She and her husband are proud parents of four daughters. Her hobbies include reading, riding horses, going to the beach or sailing, and traveling. Coming from a large family, she values strong relationships and is passionate about creating community, connection, and meaningful relationships both on and off the track.
Contact Coach Palmer: 848-448-9544
COACH JUSTIN PALMER
Justin Palmer is a volunteer track and field coach at Lakewood Ranch High School with an elite background as a multi-sport and combined-events athlete. He is passionate about maximizing individual potential and helping athletes elevate their performance through disciplined, intentional development. In high school, he competed in football, basketball, and track and field—qualifying for state championships in 10 events and winning three state titles in the 110 hurdles, long jump, and javelin. He was the Great Southwest Decathlon Champion, an indoor national pentathlon champion, and Junior Olympics decathlon runner-up. Palmer competed on scholarship at Brigham Young University, earning a Mountain West Conference decathlon title and qualifying for the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Outside of coaching, he enjoys sailing catamarans, traveling, and spending quality time supporting his four daughters in their goals and life pursuits.
Contact Coach Palmer: 832-808-2922
COACH JUSTIN
Justin Schmitz coaches the sprints.
Contact Coach Schmitz: 941-416-2003
