Registration for the 2026 Season is Now Closed.
Flame Architects
Chris Key Head Coach Sprints & Performance
Coach Gamble- Head Distance Discus and Shot Put
Chris Key Head Coach Sprints & Performance
Chris Key is the Founder and Co-Owner of CTX Flames Track Club and serves as the program’s Head Coach for Sprints and Performance. With a deep passion for developing young athletes, Coach Key brings years of coaching experience across multiple sports including basketball, soccer, and track and field, along with experience coaching at the
Chris Key is the Founder and Co-Owner of CTX Flames Track Club and serves as the program’s Head Coach for Sprints and Performance. With a deep passion for developing young athletes, Coach Key brings years of coaching experience across multiple sports including basketball, soccer, and track and field, along with experience coaching at the middle school level. Coach Key holds a Master’s degree in Sports Management, a Master’s degree in Health Science, and a Master’s degree in Sports Administration, along with Athletic Director certification. His academic background combined with practical coaching experience allows him to approach athlete development with both strategic structure and performance-focused training.
Known for his ability to connect with athletes and push them to reach their full potential, Coach Key has helped develop athletes who have advanced to Division I collegiate athletics. His coaching philosophy focuses on discipline, mechanics, and performance development, ensuring athletes build the proper foundation necessary to compete at higher levels. In addition to his work with CTX Flames, Coach Key is also an educator and science teacher, bringing the same passion for mentorship and development into both the classroom and on the track.
Through CTX Flames, Coach Key remains committed to helping young athletes grow not only as competitors, but as confident and disciplined individuals prepared for success beyond sports.
Dr. Sukeeta N. Key, D.M. Youth Development
Coach Gamble- Head Distance Discus and Shot Put
Chris Key Head Coach Sprints & Performance
Dr. Sukeeta N. Key is the Founder and Co-Owner of CTX Flames Track Club, which she leads alongside her husband. With over 20 years of coaching experience, she specializes in youth track and field development and currently serves as the Sprint Coach at Palo Alto Middle School, where she has coached on both the boys and girls teams.
CTX Flam
Dr. Sukeeta N. Key is the Founder and Co-Owner of CTX Flames Track Club, which she leads alongside her husband. With over 20 years of coaching experience, she specializes in youth track and field development and currently serves as the Sprint Coach at Palo Alto Middle School, where she has coached on both the boys and girls teams.
CTX Flames was built on a simple philosophy: challenge athletes to be great without tearing them down. The program focuses on positive coaching, discipline, and developing athletes who grow in confidence.
In addition to coaching, Dr. Key is an educator and youth advocate and the founder of the nonprofit The Student Athlete, which supports student-athletes through scholarship education, career awareness, and mental wellness initiatives.
Her leadership and service have earned numerous honors, including Civilian of the Year awards from both the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, the President’s Volunteer Service Award, and the President of the United States Humanitarian Award.
Through CTX Flames, Dr. Key remains committed to developing confident athletes, strong character, and opportunities for young people to succeed.
Coach Gamble- Head Distance Discus and Shot Put
Coach Gamble- Head Distance Discus and Shot Put
Coach Gamble- Head Distance Discus and Shot Put
Coach Gamble serves as the Head Distance Coach for CTX Flames, leading the program’s distance and middle-distance training groups. With six years of coaching experience, he focuses on developing athletes through structured training, technique refinement, and strong mental conditioning.
Coach Gamble is passionate about helping athletes reac
Coach Gamble serves as the Head Distance Coach for CTX Flames, leading the program’s distance and middle-distance training groups. With six years of coaching experience, he focuses on developing athletes through structured training, technique refinement, and strong mental conditioning.
Coach Gamble is passionate about helping athletes reach their full potential while building endurance, discipline, and competitive confidence. His approach emphasizes individualized development, allowing athletes to progress through personalized training and consistent performance improvement.
Committed to creating a positive and supportive team environment, Coach Gamble works closely with athletes to build resilience, strong work habits, and the mindset needed to compete at higher levels.
Through CTX Flames, he continues to guide athletes toward achieving personal bests and long-term growth.
Coach Alyxus- Discus and Shot Put
Coach Gamble- Head Distance Discus and Shot Put
Coach Gamble- Head Distance Discus and Shot Put
Coach Alyxus Key-Rivera serves as the Throws Coach for CTX Flames Track Club, working with athletes in shot put and discus. She focuses on developing proper technique, strength, and competitive confidence while helping athletes build discipline and a strong work ethic.
Coach Key-Rivera brings coaching experience across high school, middle
Coach Alyxus Key-Rivera serves as the Throws Coach for CTX Flames Track Club, working with athletes in shot put and discus. She focuses on developing proper technique, strength, and competitive confidence while helping athletes build discipline and a strong work ethic.
Coach Key-Rivera brings coaching experience across high school, middle school, and elementary athletics. She previously served as a Freshman Basketball Head Coach for three seasons, as well as a swim coach and throws coach at the high school level. As a former track and basketball athlete, she understands firsthand the dedication required to compete and improve.
In addition to coaching, Coach Key-Rivera is a high school English educator who is passionate about mentoring young people and helping them reach their full potential. Through CTX Flames, she is committed to developing athletes who grow in skill, confidence, and character.
Meet The Staff
Coach Toma - Hurdle & Multi Event
Coach Toma - Hurdle & Multi Event
Coach Toma - Hurdle & Multi Event
Coach Toma serves as the Hurdles Coach for CTX Flames Track Club, bringing nine years of experience developing athletes across multiple track and field events. While he specializes in hurdle development, he also supports athletes across sprint and field events, helping them build strong mechanics, rhythm, and explosiveness.
His athletic ba
Coach Toma serves as the Hurdles Coach for CTX Flames Track Club, bringing nine years of experience developing athletes across multiple track and field events. While he specializes in hurdle development, he also supports athletes across sprint and field events, helping them build strong mechanics, rhythm, and explosiveness.
His athletic background includes competition in the 110m hurdles, 400m hurdles, and 400m dash, along with the 200m sprint and field events such as long jump, triple jump, and high jump. This diverse experience gives him a comprehensive understanding of speed development, event rhythm, and technical versatility.
Coach Toma is USATF Level 1 certified and works with athletes from youth through high school levels. His coaching philosophy is built on three principles: discipline before results, technique before intensity, and long-term development over immediate wins.
Through CTX Flames, Coach Toma focuses on helping athletes build strong fundamentals, consistent performance, and the discipline needed to succeed both on and off the track.
Coach Janelle - Vertical Jumps & Hurdles
Coach Toma - Hurdle & Multi Event
Coach Toma - Hurdle & Multi Event
Coach JaNelle serves as the High Jump Coach for CTX Flames, bringing elite athletic experience and nearly two decades of coaching to the program. She is a three-time NCAA Track and Field All-American and a five-time Big 12 Conference medalist, competing at the highest levels of collegiate track and field.
A standout high school athlete, C
Coach JaNelle serves as the High Jump Coach for CTX Flames, bringing elite athletic experience and nearly two decades of coaching to the program. She is a three-time NCAA Track and Field All-American and a five-time Big 12 Conference medalist, competing at the highest levels of collegiate track and field.
A standout high school athlete, Coach Casson holds the Kansas State 6A record in the 100-meter hurdles and is a member of the Topeka High School Hall of Fame, where she also holds school records in the high jump and hurdles.
With 18 years of experience in track and field coaching and personal training, Coach Casson currently serves as the Head Girls Track Coach at Copperas Cove High School. Her coaching philosophy emphasizes mental performance alongside technical development, helping athletes build both the mindset and skills needed to succeed.
Coach Casson has been a proud member of the CTX Flames family for over four years, with her children also participating in the program.
Coach Hicks - Horizontal Jumps & Sprint
Coach Toma - Hurdle & Multi Event
Coach Hicks - Horizontal Jumps & Sprint
Coach Hicks serves as the Jumps Coach for CTX Flames, working with athletes in long jump and high jump, while also assisting with sprint mechanics and starting block development. He focuses on building explosive power, proper technique, and the fundamentals needed for athletes to compete at a high level.
Coach Hicks is a former Atlantic 10
Coach Hicks serves as the Jumps Coach for CTX Flames, working with athletes in long jump and high jump, while also assisting with sprint mechanics and starting block development. He focuses on building explosive power, proper technique, and the fundamentals needed for athletes to compete at a high level.
Coach Hicks is a former Atlantic 10 Indoor Champion and a two-time Indoor All-American in the high jump. As a high school athlete, he achieved a 7-foot high jump and still holds one of the top five jumps in Florida high school history, placing him among the elite jumpers in the state.
He holds a Master’s degree in Exercise Science and currently serves as a Science educator and Jump/Sprint Coach at Shoemaker High School, where he continues to mentor and develop young athletes.
Through CTX Flames, Coach Hicks brings high-level competitive experience and technical expertise to help athletes improve their performance, confidence, and overall development.
Coach Jalisa - Distance
Coach Toma - Hurdle & Multi Event
Coach Hicks - Horizontal Jumps & Sprint
Coach Jalisa serves as a Distance Coach for CTX Flames, helping develop athletes in endurance training, race strategy, and competitive mindset. She has been a part of the CTX Flames family for the past three years, working with student-athletes to strengthen both performance and discipline on the track.
Coach Downer brings 6–7 years of exp
Coach Jalisa serves as a Distance Coach for CTX Flames, helping develop athletes in endurance training, race strategy, and competitive mindset. She has been a part of the CTX Flames family for the past three years, working with student-athletes to strengthen both performance and discipline on the track.
Coach Downer brings 6–7 years of experience in Track and Field, including time officiating the sport, which gives her a strong understanding of competition and event structure. She currently serves as the Girls Athletic Coordinator at Live Oak Ridge Middle School, where she oversees and supports the development of young female athletes across multiple sports.
Through CTX Flames, Coach Downer is committed to helping athletes build confidence, endurance, and the work ethic needed to grow both as competitors and as individuals.
The CTX Flames Track Club Story
Coach Mike- Assistant Coach
Ms. Tasha - Admin & Fundraising
Coach Kortni- Assistant Coach
Coach Mike serves as an Assistant Coach for CTX Flames, bringing a leadership style shaped by 20 years of service in the United States Army. Originally from Mississippi, he approaches coaching with a focus on discipline, preparation, and accountability.
Coach Mike is passionate about helping athletes push beyond their limits while building
Coach Mike serves as an Assistant Coach for CTX Flames, bringing a leadership style shaped by 20 years of service in the United States Army. Originally from Mississippi, he approaches coaching with a focus on discipline, preparation, and accountability.
Coach Mike is passionate about helping athletes push beyond their limits while building confidence, resilience, and strong team culture. His coaching philosophy centers on preparation, unity, and mental toughness.
For Coach Mike, success is about more than performance. His goal is to help develop athletes who grow into disciplined, confident individuals both on and off the track.
Coach Kortni- Assistant Coach
Ms. Tasha - Admin & Fundraising
Coach Kortni- Assistant Coach
Coach Kortni joins the CTX Flames coaching staff after several years as a dedicated team parent and supporter of the program. A former high school track athlete, she brings a genuine passion for the sport and a strong commitment to supporting the development of young athletes.
Coach Kortni enjoys working with youth and takes pride in watch
Coach Kortni joins the CTX Flames coaching staff after several years as a dedicated team parent and supporter of the program. A former high school track athlete, she brings a genuine passion for the sport and a strong commitment to supporting the development of young athletes.
Coach Kortni enjoys working with youth and takes pride in watching athletes grow both on and off the track. Her approach emphasizes patience, encouragement, and consistency, helping athletes build confidence while improving their skills and work ethic.
As she continues to grow in her coaching role, Coach Kortni is committed to helping athletes push themselves, stay motivated, and develop the discipline needed to succeed in both athletics and life.
Ms. Tasha - Admin & Fundraising
Ms. Tasha - Admin & Fundraising
Ms. Tasha - Admin & Fundraising
Ms. Tasha, enters her fifth season with CTX Flames and serves on the program’s administrative and fundraising team, while also assisting with field events.
With a background as a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice and as a Social Emotional Counselor in the school system, Ms. Tasha brings a unique focus on mental performanc
Ms. Tasha, enters her fifth season with CTX Flames and serves on the program’s administrative and fundraising team, while also assisting with field events.
With a background as a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice and as a Social Emotional Counselor in the school system, Ms. Tasha brings a unique focus on mental performance, structure, and emotional development within the program.
She is deeply committed to developing the whole athlete—mentally, emotionally, and competitively—and believes in building accountability, resilience, and confidence.
Ms. Ashley- Operations Support
Ms. Tasha - Admin & Fundraising
Ms. Tasha - Admin & Fundraising
Ashley serves as Team Operations Support for CTX Flames, helping ensure athletes and coaches have what they need during practices and competitions. Having been part of the Flame Family for several years, she plays a key role in supporting the needs of the team.
Ashley assists with meet-day logistics, athlete check-ins, and helping ensure a
Ashley serves as Team Operations Support for CTX Flames, helping ensure athletes and coaches have what they need during practices and competitions. Having been part of the Flame Family for several years, she plays a key role in supporting the needs of the team.
Ashley assists with meet-day logistics, athlete check-ins, and helping ensure athletes are prepared and cared for during competitions, often stepping in wherever support is needed most.
Outside of the track program, Ashley serves as an active-duty Captain in the United States Army, bringing strong leadership, reliability, and a commitment to service that reflects the culture of the CTX Flames program.