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Experience
Jacksonville University
Alma Mater
Formal
Style
Coaching Intelligence
Biography
Diego Vela enters his 12 season as Jacksonville University women’s track and field assistant coach in 2025-26. In the 2025 season, Vela helped long jumper Julia Sue-Kam-Ling to the NCAA Championships where she was given an Honorable Mention All-American nod. Before the start of the 2024-25 season, Vela coached sprinter Mariandree Chacon during her time in the Paris Olympics running for Team Guatemala. During the 2023 season, Kristi Snyman was crowned second time All-American in the High Jump at NCAA Outdoor Nationals (9th place) with a jump of 1.84m/6’-0.5ft. She finished top 17 in the 2023 Indoor National Ranking with a jump of 1.85m/6’-0.75ft. During the 2022 season, Vela coached three indoor conference champions, six outdoor conference champions, and four NCAA Prelims qualifiers. During the 2021 season, Adja Sackor qualified to the U.S Olympic Trials with a jump of 13.51m/44’-4”. Kristy Snyman in the high jump (1.82m) and Adja Sackor (13.51m) qualified to the NCAA Outdoor Nationals, and both were crowned All-Americans. Vela also averaged a 3.442 team GPA from 2014 until 2022. Vela, a native of Peru, graduated in 2006 from International School of Physical Education and Sports (Cuba) with a Bachelor of Physical Education and Sports; and earned his Master’s in Kinesiology at Jacksonville University (2020-2022). Vela spent five years in Cuba to enhance his coaching knowledge, witnessing the training of several World and Olympic champions at Pan American Stadium, spending time with coaches and the Cuban senior and junior teams which had their fair share of world-class athletes. Prior to his time in Jacksonville, Vela worked from 2007 until 2012 in Guatemala as a track coach with the national federation team. He was a volunteer track coach at Creekside High School, the University of North Florida, and Jacksonville Track and Field Club from 2012 until 2014. Vela is proudly married to Mariaisys Gomez, a Cuban doctor and Nurse Practitioner. Vela wishes to thank Mariaisys and his family for the devoted love and support they share, as it has been key to his continued success and drive.
Coaching Philosophy
Vela believes in combining world-class technical training with strong academic excellence, drawing from his extensive international experience studying Cuban training methods. His approach focuses on developing athletes who can compete at the highest levels while maintaining exceptional academic standards, as evidenced by his team's 3.44 GPA and consistent production of All-Americans and Olympians.
Known For
Program Culture
The Jacksonville women's track program under Vela emphasizes technical excellence and international-level training standards, influenced by his study of Cuban training methods. The culture balances elite athletic development with strong academic achievement, creating an environment where student-athletes are expected to excel in both the classroom and on the track at the national level.
Career Path
University of North Florida → Creekside High School
Recruiting Priorities
- •Athletes with potential for national-level competition in jumps and sprints
- •Student-athletes who prioritize academic excellence alongside athletic achievement
- •Coachable athletes willing to embrace technical, systematic training approaches
Overview
Biography
Diego Vela enters his 12 season as Jacksonville University women’s track and field assistant coach in 2025-26. In the 2025 season, Vela helped long jumper Julia Sue-Kam-Ling to the NCAA Championships where she was given an Honorable Mention All-American nod. Before the start of the 2024-25 season, Vela coached sprinter Mariandree Chacon during her time in the Paris Olympics running for Team Guatemala. During the 2023 season, Kristi Snyman was crowned second time All-American in the High Jump at NCAA Outdoor Nationals (9th place) with a jump of 1.84m/6’-0.5ft. She finished top 17 in the 2023 Indoor National Ranking with a jump of 1.85m/6’-0.75ft. During the 2022 season, Vela coached three indoor conference champions, six outdoor conference champions, and four NCAA Prelims qualifiers. During the 2021 season, Adja Sackor qualified to the U.S Olympic Trials with a jump of 13.51m/44’-4”. Kristy Snyman in the high jump (1.82m) and Adja Sackor (13.51m) qualified to the NCAA Outdoor Nationals, and both were crowned All-Americans. Vela also averaged a 3.442 team GPA from 2014 until 2022. Vela, a native of Peru, graduated in 2006 from International School of Physical Education and Sports (Cuba) with a Bachelor of Physical Education and Sports; and earned his Master’s in Kinesiology at Jacksonville University (2020-2022). Vela spent five years in Cuba to enhance his coaching knowledge, witnessing the training of several World and Olympic champions at Pan American Stadium, spending time with coaches and the Cuban senior and junior teams which had their fair share of world-class athletes. Prior to his time in Jacksonville, Vela worked from 2007 until 2012 in Guatemala as a track coach with the national federation team. He was a volunteer track coach at Creekside High School, the University of North Florida, and Jacksonville Track and Field Club from 2012 until 2014. Vela is proudly married to Mariaisys Gomez, a Cuban doctor and Nurse Practitioner. Vela wishes to thank Mariaisys and his family for the devoted love and support they share, as it has been key to his continued success and drive.
Coaching Philosophy
Vela believes in combining world-class technical training with strong academic excellence, drawing from his extensive international experience studying Cuban training methods. His approach focuses on developing athletes who can compete at the highest levels while maintaining exceptional academic standards, as evidenced by his team's 3.44 GPA and consistent production of All-Americans and Olympians.
Known For
Program Culture
The Jacksonville women's track program under Vela emphasizes technical excellence and international-level training standards, influenced by his study of Cuban training methods. The culture balances elite athletic development with strong academic achievement, creating an environment where student-athletes are expected to excel in both the classroom and on the track at the national level.
Career
Career Path
University of North Florida → Creekside High School
Recruiting Intel
Recruiting Priorities
- •Athletes with potential for national-level competition in jumps and sprints
- •Student-athletes who prioritize academic excellence alongside athletic achievement
- •Coachable athletes willing to embrace technical, systematic training approaches
Frequently Asked Questions
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