Sam Llaneza joins the University of Lynchburg cross Country and Track and Field Staff in the fall of 2025. Llaneza brings elite collegiate experience and a deep passion for distance running the staff. A standout student-athlete at the University of Lynchburg, he competed in both cross country and outdoor track, earning 10 NCAA Division III All-American honors, a 2024 DMR national championship, and the 2024 2500m national title. His consistent excellence earned him three Regional Runner of the Year honors and two Lynchburg Athlete of the Year accolades, cementing his place as one of the top distance runners in program history.
Off the track, Llaneza also excelled academically, earning Academic All-American honors and completing both his undergraduate degree and MBA at Lynchburg (Class of 2025). During the 2024–25 season, he served as a volunteer assistant coach for Lynchburg’s indoor track distance squad, where he helped guide the next generation of athletes.
During his first season, Llaneza led the men's cross country team to its fifth consecutive NCAA appearance, where the Hornets earned 26th. Alex Jordan earned ODAC Runner of the Year and won the NCAA South Region individual title. On the track, Llaneza helped the Lynchburg men to ODAC titles during the indoor and outdoor seasons, while Chasen Hunt and Alex Jordan combined to produce four All-American honors. He also helped lead the men’s team to a fifth-place finish at the 2026 NCAA Division III Indoor Championships, the second-best finish in program history. His athletes secured 26 All-ODAC and 31 All-Region honors between the indoor and outdoor seasons.
In addition to his collegiate coaching experience, Llaneza also worked with the Burger Track Club, providing online coaching for distance runners at various levels. His background as a high-level competitor, mentor, and coach makes him an invaluable asset to any athlete looking to improve and chase their goals.
