Bio

Linda Lanker is one of the most accomplished and respected figures in Northwest track and field, bringing more than 40 years of coaching, officiating, and leadership experience to the Spokane Colleges program. A former collegiate and national-level competitor, Lanker has dedicated her career to advancing the sport at every level, from youth and high school to junior college and international competition.

Lanker joined the Spokane Colleges track and field staff in 1998 and has been an integral part of the program’s success ever since, coaching through 2023 at Spokane Community College and continuing her work with the combined Spokane Colleges program today. Over her tenure, she has developed 84 All-Americans, 23 conference champions, and five Olympic Trials qualifiers in the sprints, hurdles, and relays, helping sustain Spokane’s reputation as one of the premier programs in the NWAC. Prior to her time with the Sasquatch, she coached at Valley Christian, University, and Coeur d’Alene high schools, earning three state team titles, three runner-up finishes, and 14 individual state hurdle champions.

On the national stage, Lanker has represented the United States as a coach at multiple USATF international competitions, including serving as Head Women’s Coach at the 2017 Junior Pan American Championships (Trujillo, Peru) and the 2018 World Athletics Championships (London), and as Head Men’s Coach at the 2019 World Relays (Tokyo, Japan). She also served as Men’s Sprints and Hurdles Coach at the 2006 Junior World Championships in Beijing and the 2010 NACAC U23 Championships in Florida.

An active leader in the sport’s governance, Lanker currently holds several positions within the USATF Inland Northwest Association, including Official’s Chair, Sanctions Chair, and Men’s and Women’s Track & Field Chair. She is also a USATF Certified Master Official, Level 3 Certified Coach, and member of the national Coaches Advisory Committee. At the national level, she has served as Vice Chair of the Men’s Executive Committee, worked 17 years on Meet Management and Protest Tables, and contributed to the Diversity Committee representing women on men’s staffs.

Lanker has received numerous honors throughout her career, including the USATF President’s Award (2018), USATF National Officials Chair Award (2022), Spokane Community College Outstanding Service and Coach Award (2023), and induction into both the Washington State High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2017) and the NWAC Hall of Fame (2019). She has also been recognized as Coach of the Year by multiple associations in Washington and Idaho, as well as the Gill Athletics Western Region Girls Coach of the Year (2013).

A former AAU Junior Olympic National Champion and Masters National Champion in the 400m hurdles, Lanker’s athletic career included national records, collegiate success at Arizona State, and recognition as Inland Northwest Masters Athlete of the Year in 2001 and 2002.

In addition to her coaching and officiating roles, Lanker continues to contribute to the sport as the Officials Director for all NCAA and open meets hosted by Spokane Sports at The Podium, and as the Head Coach of the USATF North Idaho Blaze Track Club, where she mentors youth athletes.