Athletic Administration & Program Heads

Administration

Terrence Barnum

Head of Athletics

I am the Head of Athletics at Harvard-Westlake School.

Prior to serving in this role, I was the Athletic Director for Communication at HW.

Before coming to Harvard-Westlake, I was a Department Business Manager at the University of Southern California (USC), where I was responsible for the restricted and unrestricted budgets for the Linguistics, Psychology, and Neuroscience departments.

I received my bachelors in communication and my master’s in education from USC. I was also captain of the USC Football team in 1995.

Darlene Bible

Athletic Director

I am the Athletic Director in charge of Operations at Harvard-Westlake School.

I was the head coach of the swim teams at Harvard-Westlake for thirty years before retiring from coaching in 2012.

As Program Head for swimming, the girls’ team won a CIF title, and I was privileged to coach numerous All Americans, a national champion, and 5-time Olympian, Dara Torres.

Before working at Harvard-Westlake, I was the Athletic Director at Immaculate Heart High School and St. Michaels High School.

I received my bachelor of arts degree in physical education from California State University, Northridge, and my master of science degree in athletic administration from Ohio University.

I am also the Director of Summer Sports Programs and the chair for the Community & Character Committee at Harvard-Westlake.

Chelsea Heyward

Athletic Director

I am the Athletic Director in charge of Compliance and Operations at Harvard-Westlake School.

Jason Kelly

Athletic Director

I am the Athletic Director for Communications and Student Services at Harvard-Westlake School.

Prior to coming to Harvard-Westlake in 2013, I was the Head of Athletics for the Milken and Stephen S. Wise schools for 8 years and spent 18 years total working for the Stephen S. Wise Schools.

I received a Bachelor of Education in Physical Education from the Carnegie College of Physical Education at Leeds Metropolitan University in England, where I captained the University's soccer team and was selected to represent the British Universities.

I completed a Master's degree in Educational Administration from Pepperdine University, Malibu.

Outside of Harvard-Westlake I coach club soccer for the Westside Breakers Soccer Club.

Matthew LaCour

Athletic Director

I am the Athletic Director for Performance at Harvard-Westlake School.

Before transitioning to Athletic Director I was the Program Head for Baseball at Harvard-Westlake.

After taking over a program that had not won a league game in two years in 2007, the baseball program achieved national recognition as one of the premier programs in high school baseball, winning the Mission League titles in 2011, 2012 and 2013.  In both 2012 and 2013, Harvard-Westlake were finalist in the National High School Invitational that is hosted by USA Baseball in Cary, North Carolina.

The 2013 Wolverine squad won the CIF Division 1 Championship at Dodger Stadium.  That team was recognized by Baseball America, USA Today, and the National High School Baseball Coaches Association as the National Champion and anointed the California Baseball Team of the Year by Cal-Hi Sports.  I was named the National Coach of the Year.

Over 40  of my players have gone on to play baseball at NCAA institutions .  Seven players were drafted by Major League Baseball organizations, including three first round picks.  Four of the players drafted have made appearances in Major League baseball games.

Prior to coming to Harvard-Westlake I was the Head Baseball Coach at El Camino Real High School in Woodland Hills for five years.  My Conquistador teams won league championships and won the 2005 Division 1 CIF Championship at Dodger Stadium.  That 2005 squad was named the California State Team of the Year.

Currently, I am the only coach in California State history to lead baseball teams in two different sections to CIF Division 1 titles and have two different teams named California State Team of the Year by Cal-Hi Sports.

 

Robert Ruiz

Physical Education Department Head

I am the Physical Education department chair at Harvard-Westlake Middle School. 

Prior to serving in this role, I was one of HW’s athletic trainers, primarily covering the middle school.

I received my bachelors of science degree in Kinesiology from U.C.L.A.  I was in the student trainer internship program at U.C.L.A. where I worked with teams that included Football, Basketball, Baseball and Swimming.

Program Heads

Junior Amazan

Wrestling Program Head and Sports Performance Coach

Prior to arriving at Harvard Westlake, I assisted with California State University Northridge (2017-2018), where I helped with the basketball, soccer, volleyball, softball, water polo, baseball and tennis teams.

From 2016 through 2017, I assisted at Santa Monica College, preparing athletes to transfer into highly competitive four-year schools.

In 2011, I founded a Sports Performance firm that focuses on the developing athlete.

I received my bachelor's degree from Ithaca College (Ithaca, NY) in Sport and Exercise Science w/ Medical Emphasis.  During my time at Ithaca I spent four years as a competitive member of their wrestling team. I currently hold a NCSA-CSCS certification.

My sport specialty is wrestling. Being a four-year wrestler at Ithaca College, I have gained vast knowledge around the sport of wrestling. I am still involved as a wrestling coach in the area.

Freddy Arroyo

Physical Education Teacher

I teach Physical Education and assist with Middle School Girls’ Soccer program.

I started working at Harvard Westlake as on off campus coach in 1997 and was iProgram Head for Boys' Soccer from 2000-2012.

I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from California State University, Northridge. I was also captain of the Men’s Soccer Program at CSUN in 98’ & 99’.

Outside of Harvard Westlake, I am a head coach for Santa Monica United Soccer Club. 

Christa Choe

Equestrian Program Head

I am the Equestrian Team Program Head at Harvard-Westlake School.

I began coaching shortly after my graduation from Amherst College, where I received my B.A. in Fine Arts.

I graduated from Keck School of Medicine at University of Southern California, and currently work as a Pediatric Neurologist with a focus on sports-related concussion and traumatic brain injury. 

I am an alumna of Harvard-Westlake where I was on the CIF Champion Girls Swim Team and rode on the equestrian team.

Jelena Durisic

Girls Tennis Program Head

I am the Program Head of Girls Tennis at Harvard-Westlake School.

Prior to serving in this role, I worked as a tennis coach at Riviera Country Club, in Pacific Palisades, and competed on the professional tennis tour.

I received a D-1 tennis scholarship from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, where I graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in business management and economics in 2011.

I was also the captain on the tennis team at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Amy Egbert

Spirit Squad/Cheer Program Head

I am the Program Head for Cheerleading at Harvard-Westlake School.

For the past five years, I was the assistant coach for the Cheer Program at Harvard Westlake. 

I have over 18 years of experience in cheer and dance including the NBA and Arena Football League, and currently dance for the Walt Disney Company. 

I also spend much of my time teaching dance, cheer and fitness to students of all ages around the country.

I received my Bachelor's of Business Administration with a focus in Human Resources from the University of New Mexico in 2008.

Jared Halpert

Baseball Program Head

I am the Program Head for Baseball at Harvard-Westlake School

Before taking over the program in 2016, I was an assistant coach for four years. I have been a part of Wolverine teams that have won 3 league championships, a National Championship and a CIF-SS Div 1 title.

I graduated from Fresno State with a BA in Health Science. As an athlete, I was able to help the Bulldogs win their first ever NCAA Div 1 National Baseball Championship.

Bo Hardt

Boys' Tennis Program Head

I am the Program Head for Boys' Tennis.

I joined HW as the varsity assistant for the boys tennis program at Harvard-Westlake in 2014. During this time the Wolverines won the Mission League four times (without losing a match), back-to-back CIF-SS Division I titles in 2017 and 2018, and the State Regional Championship in 2018.

Outside of HW I play professionally on the ATP tour and am nationally ranked in the US. I am a certified Master Pro and work with professional athletes, DI college players and nationally ranked juniors.

Sue Hodgkins

Field Hockey Program Head

I am the Head of the Field Hockey program at Harvard-Westlake. 

 

Aaron Huerta

Football Program Head

I am the  Football Program Head at Harvard-Westlake School.
 
I was recently the head coach at Notre Dame High School in Riverside, California. In my two years leading the program, the Titans posted a 16-8 overall record, won a league championship in 2018, and made the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section playoffs in 2018 and 2019. 

Prior to coaching at Notre Dame, I served as an assistant coach at Corona del Mar High School and Servite High School. 

In my 15 years in coaching, I am proud of the collegiate connections I have made all over the country and am proud of being instrumental in helping many of his athletes move on to play successfully in college.

Mitch Kallick

Girls Volleyball Program Head

I am the Program Head for Girls Volleyball. 

 

Jonas Koolsbergen

Cross Country and Track and Field Program Head

I am in my 33rd year of Coaching at Harvard-Westlake.  This is my 30th as the Head of Track and Field and my 21st year coaching in the cross country program.

I have helped guide the Wolverines to six CIF team titles amassing over 550 HS wins in the two sports and have coached over 400 CIF Finalists.   I have also coached four National Record and Grade Level Record performances as well as six athletes that have represented the USA in International competition. 

I currently teach Physical Education at Harvard-Westlake and taught History at the school for 15 years as well as served as one of the school’s ADs for seven years. 

I was a Decathlete for UC Santa Barbara and placed in the Big West Championships in that event as a Junior.  I am also a proud alum of Harvard-Westlake having graduated from the Harvard School in 1983.

Erik Krum

Lacrosse Program Head

I am the Head coach of the lacrosse program at Harvard Westlake. 

Before coming to Harvard Westlake, I co-founded the Santa Monica Dragons youth lacrosse program  while finishing my pro career in Major League Lacrosse. 

I attended Salisbury University where I won 3 National Championships, and graduated with a major in Social work and minor in exercise science

Laura Lopez

Girls Water Polo Program Head

I am the Head Girls’ Water Polo Coach at Harvard-Westlake School.

 

David Rebibo

Girls Basketball Program Head (Interim)

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David Rebibo

Boys Basketball Program Head

I am the Head of the Boys basketball program at Harvard-Westlake. 

In the last two years the Varsity basketball program won a State title (2016) and a CIF Division 1 title (2017).

Before coming to Harvard-Westlake, I was an assistant basketball coach at the University of San Francisco and Head Coach at El Camino Real High School for 6 years that included two city championships in 2010 and 2012.

I received my BA and MA/teaching credential from California State University Northridge.

Kat Scardino

Sports Psychology

HW Sport Psychology is led by Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) Kat Scardino, who is trained at the graduate level in sport and clinical psychology. Kat is passionate about working with both athletes and coaches in developing ideal mindsets and training environments for optimal performance. Her focus on working with youth athletes is rooted in the belief that long term success in sport and life is developed through resilience, balance, and enjoyment.

Jason Schwarz

Swimming and Diving Program Head

I am the Swimming & Diving Program Head for both boys and girls at Harvard-Westlake School and full-time Physical Education teacher at the Middle School. 

Before joining Harvard-Westlake as Program Head, I was an assistant coach for the swim program. 

I am currently the Executive Director/Head Coach of Los Angeles Swim Club, since 2008. 

I received my bachelors in fine arts from the University of Florida where I was also a member to the Florida Gator SEC championship swim teams. 

Tim Sharpe

Cross Country Head Coach

I am the Cross Country Head Coach and serve as a Track & Field Assistant Coach.

I have over 12 years’ experience at Harvard Westlake. I have been part of five CIF team championship teams in Cross Country and Track & Field. I have coached 23 CIF and State Champions; athletes who have made multiple National Championship appearances including two National Champions and two National Record holders.

Richard Simms

Girls Soccer Program Head

I am the Head of Girls’ Soccer and a full-time Physical Education at Harvard-Westlake School. I was named CIF Girls Soccer Coach of the Year in 2006 and 2010 and the California State Coach of the Year in 2012.

Prior to Harvard-Westlake I was the Head of Girls’ Soccer at Crossroads School and have taught PE and coached at Westmark School and Stephen S. Wise Elementary School.

Outside of Harvard-Westlake, I work as a head coach for the Westside Breakers Soccer Club and previously coached for the Real So Cal Soccer Club.

Garrett Yamasaki

Boys Volleyball Program Head

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Sports Medicine

Kelli Arnold

Sports Medicine

I am a certified Athletic Trainer in the Sports Medicine Department at Harvard-Westlake School.

Prior to joining Harvard-Westlake, I spent the previous 5 years as the Athletic Trainer for El Camino Real Charter High School in West Hills, CA. I was responsible for implementing and managing the Athletic Training Program for the school.

I graduated from California State University, Northridge in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Athletic Training. I received a Master's Degree in Education from Concordia University, Portland in 2016.

I am the assigned Athletic Trainer for Harvard-Westlake Baseball, Girls Basketball, Swimming and Diving, Girls Tennis, Boys’ and Girls’ Water Polo.

Alex Calderon

Sports Medicine

I am a certified Athletic Trainer in the Sports Medicine Department at Harvard-Westlake.

I work primarily on the Middle School campus serving student in Grades 7-9 but I have responsibilities with Upper School athletic programs throughout the year.

I graduated from Chapman University with a degree in Athletic Training. I worked at the University of Florida, assigned to the cross-country and track and field programs.

I gained High School experience at Foothill High School in California, working with all of their athletic programs.

I am the assigned Athletic Trainer for Harvard-Westlake Middle School, and work with the Upper School Softball and Wrestling programs.

Dunford Rodill

Director of Sports Medicine

I am the Director of Sports Medicine at Harvard-Westlake School.

 

Tiara Wells

Sports Medicine

I am a certified Athletic Trainer in the Sports Medicine Department at Harvard-Westlake School.

I began my career in Sports Medicine as a student with the College of the Canyons (COC) sports medicine department, where I earned an associate degree.  I transferred to the California State University, at Northridge and earned a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training. 

I love all sports, while completing my undergraduate degrees I played golf competitively and rode horses. I am currently completing a Master’s degree in Athletic Training from Fresno Pacific University. 

I am the assigned Athletic Trainer for Harvard-Westlake Cross-Country, Field Hockey, Girls’ Soccer, Boys’ Tennis, Track and Field.

Sports Performance

Junior Amazan

Wrestling Program Head and Sports Performance Coach

Prior to arriving at Harvard Westlake, I assisted with California State University Northridge (2017-2018), where I helped with the basketball, soccer, volleyball, softball, water polo, baseball and tennis teams.

From 2016 through 2017, I assisted at Santa Monica College, preparing athletes to transfer into highly competitive four-year schools.

In 2011, I founded a Sports Performance firm that focuses on the developing athlete.

I received my bachelor's degree from Ithaca College (Ithaca, NY) in Sport and Exercise Science w/ Medical Emphasis.  During my time at Ithaca I spent four years as a competitive member of their wrestling team. I currently hold a NCSA-CSCS certification.

My sport specialty is wrestling. Being a four-year wrestler at Ithaca College, I have gained vast knowledge around the sport of wrestling. I am still involved as a wrestling coach in the area.

Jeff Crelling

Director of Sports Performance

I am the Director for Sports Performance at Harvard-Westlake School. I joined the Wolverine family in July of 2017.

I have over 12 years’ experience in strength and conditioning at the NCAA Division I level, most recently serving as the Director of Sports Performance for California State University of Northridge. 

At CSUN I supervised the strength & conditioning needs for CSUN’s 20 athletic programs.  Prior to that I was an assistant Strength & Conditioning coach for the UC Davis Aggies from 2008-2010. 

I received my Master’s in Physical Education/Coaching from the University of Nebraska Omaha in 2008, where I served as a strength and conditioning coach for 4 of their varsity programs.  I earned a Bachelors in Exercise Science from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2004. 

I work directly with the Harvard-Westlake Baseball, Boys’ Basketball, Girls’ Soccer and girls’ volleyball programs.

Hannah Johnson

Sports Performance

I am a Sports Performance Coach at Harvard-Westlake School.

 

Mitch Nobile

Sports Performance

I am a Sports Performance Coach at Harvard-Westlake School. 

 

Administrative Staff

Miguel Acevedo

Equipment Manager

I am the Athletic Equipment Manager and school transportation for both the middle and upper school campuses. 

As the athletic equipment manager, I am responsible for maintaining, ordering, and inventory of all the HW sports athletic equipment and uniforms. 

I am native of Mexico and have lived in the US for 33 years. This year I will be celebrating 21 years at Harvard-Westlake. Prior to coming to Harvard-Westlake, I ran my own business in textiles. In my free time, I enjoy dancing, eating, and traveling.

Tami Gibson

Athletics Administrative Assistant/Transportation

I started at Harvard-Westlake in 2000 and have served many roles in the Athletic Department through the years.

Before coming to Harvard-Westlake I held various administrative positions. I am responsible for coordinating transportation for Athletics and Field trips for both campuses.

I enjoy outdoor activities including softball. I represented the  Amateur Sport Development USA Women’s softball team in the Bahamas.

Roberto Hernandez

Athletics Facilities Manager

I am the Athletics Facilities Manager.

I have been working at Harvard-Westlake since 1989. 

I oversee field and equipment maintenance for all 27 athletic programs.

Carlos Samayoa

Maintenance

I am the Assistant Director of Maintenance for Athletic Facilities at Harvard-Westlake School, as well as  a general maintenance employee for the entire school.

Prior to coming to Harvard-Westlake, I worked in industrial maintenance for fifteen years.

Kaiulani Welch

Executive Assistant to the Head of Athletics

I am the Executive Assistant to the Head of Athletics.

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