Comets Leadership

Coaches

Chris Boos
Head Coach – Distance
Chris has been a coach of youth track and cross-country athletes for the past 6 years and has a son who is currently competing in his third season with the Comets.  Chris loves to encourage and support young people as they learn and grow.  Having fun along the way is essential to long-term success.  Chris likes to plan workouts that are designed to achieve specific training effects and improve fitness by challenging multiple physiological systems.  He values preparation, attention to detail, and keeping a positive attitude.

Theresa O’Leary
Sprints, Hurdles, Javelin
Theresa grew up in Michigan where she earned high school all-state honors in the 300m hurdles, 4×400, 100m hurdles and the long-jump multiple times. She was a Div. 1, Varsity athlete at Michigan State University where she ran the 400m and threw javelin and competed at Big 10 Championships. Theresa wants to ignite a passion for track & field in young athletes through a combination of fun and smart training. This is her second season coaching with the team.

Betsy Lee
Distance Coach
Betsy started participating in AAU and USATF track and field at age 8 and never looked back. She was a two-time Kansas 6A state champion and competed at both the NCAA Division 1 and Division 2 levels, earning all-conference honors. She specialized in the 1500- and 800-meter events. She believes wholeheartedly that the lessons learned pursuing excellence on the track translate beautifully into everyday life. She wants to help athletes of all abilities learn and grow through the sport. 

Rachel Hancock
Distance Coach
Rachel has been involved with the Comets since 2019. She serves as club treasurer and helps run with the distance kids. Rachel began running cross country and track during high school and quickly fell in love with the sport. After high school, Rachel ran collegiately for WSU for a year. Her passion for running has continued and she can often be found competing in local road races. Rachel’s goal with coaching is to help foster a love of running in the kids.

Jessica Tallman
Assistant Shot Put Coach, Assistant Discus Coach

Jessica Tallman is an 8-time NCAA Division II All-American in the Shot Put and Hammer Throw. She competed at Missouri Southern State University, where she trained under her future husband, Jamie Tallman.

Now coaching the Comets throwers, Jessica is passionate about helping young athletes develop strong technique and confidence in the ring. She has a gift for breaking down each phase of the throw to meet athletes where they are and help them grow. With a professional background in Chiropractic care, she brings valuable insight into movement, body mechanics, and injury prevention.

Off the field, Jessica enjoys singing at church, reading, and playing games with her husband and their three daughters — Josie, Julia, and Janna — who also compete for the Johnson County Comets.

Jamie Tallman : Shot Put Coach, Discus Coach

Jamie Tallman competed in the shot put, discus, and hammer throw at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, Missouri. After concluding his collegiate throwing career, he remained at Missouri Southern as the throws coach for six seasons. During his tenure, the throwing program reached unprecedented heights, winning multiple MIAA championships, setting numerous school records, and contributing to several team titles. Among the standout athletes he coached was Jessica Selby-Tallman, who went on to become a national champion in the hammer throw and a multi-time NCAA All-American in the shot put. Jessica and Jamie later married and now have three children who compete for the Comets track and field club.

Jamie’s passion for coaching has remained a central part of his life. In addition to working with the Comets’ throwers, he also enjoys coaching his children in softball and supporting them in all their athletic pursuits.

Board of Directors