About Our Team
Penn Elite Track Club is a USATF and AAU-affiliated Track & Field program based in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Our mission is to develop athletes through high-quality coaching, individualized training, and a commitment to excellence both on and off the track.
Unlike larger programs, Penn Elite intentionally maintains a small team environment, allowing coaches to provide personalized attention and training plans tailored to each athlete's goals, strengths, and areas for growth. Whether an athlete is looking to improve performance, qualify for championship meets, or compete at the highest levels of youth track and field, our coaching philosophy emphasizes long-term development, technical mastery, and competitive success.
At Penn Elite, we believe that great athletes are built through character, commitment, and competition. We strive to create an environment where athletes are challenged to reach their full potential while developing the confidence, discipline, and work ethic that extend far beyond the sport.
Our Mission
Penn Elite Track Club is committed to developing the whole student-athlete—personally, academically, and athletically. Our mission is to provide a structured, supportive, and high-performance environment where athletes are challenged to reach their full potential on the track while also growing as students and contributing members of their community.
We believe true success extends beyond competition results. Through intentional coaching, individualized development, and a culture rooted in character, commitment, and accountability, we aim to prepare athletes for success in sport, in school, and in life.
coaching Staff
Brandon Thompson- Head Coach
Sprints | Relays | Jumps
Coach Brandon Thompson is the founder and head coach of Penn Elite Track Club, a USATF and AAU-affiliated Track & Field program based in Hershey, Pennsylvania. He brings over a decade of coaching experience combined with an elite athletic background and a strong foundation in education and school leadership.
As a former elite sprinter, Coach Thompson was a two-time high school All-American in the 100m and 200m. He went on to compete at the University of Georgia, where he earned NCAA Honorable Mention All-American honors and First Team All-SEC recognition as part of the 4x100m relay team, while also being named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll.
He later transferred to the University of Maryland, where he became one of the top sprinters in program history, ranking in the top 10 all-time across six events. His personal bests include 10.4 in the 100m and 20.9 in the 200m.
Over the past 10 years, Coach Thompson has trained and developed athletes across Texas and Georgia, helping more than 50 student-athletes earn collegiate track and field scholarships through his affiliated programs. His coaching approach emphasizes individualized development, technical precision, and building the confidence required to compete at a high level.
Coach Thompson holds a Pennsylvania Level I teaching certification and earned his graduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania in School Leadership, where he completed his K–12 principal certification. He is also SafeSport certified, reflecting his commitment to athlete safety and professional excellence.
At Penn Elite Track Club, his mission is to develop disciplined, confident athletes through a culture built on character, commitment, and competition.
Charlotte Thompson- Assistant Head Coach
Middle Distance
Coach Charlotte Thompson is a former collegiate middle-distance runner with extensive experience competing at the NCAA Division I level, primarily in the 400m, 800m, and relay events. A standout student-athlete, she earned Academic All-Big Ten honors while competing for the University of Maryland.
During her collegiate career, Charlotte consistently contributed across multiple events, including the 400m, 800m, 4x400m relay, 4x800m relay, and distance medley relay. She recorded a personal-best of 2:10.47 in the 800m and earned multiple podium finishes, including victories and top performances at meets such as the Maryland Invitational and Lou Onesty Invitational. She also competed at high-profile competitions including the Penn Relays and Big Ten Championships, contributing to relay squads that posted strong finishes at the conference and national level.
Prior to Maryland, Charlotte competed at American University, where she was part of a school record-setting 4x400m relay team and ranked among the program’s top performers in both the 400m and 800m. She also distinguished herself as a multi-sport athlete in high school, excelling in track, soccer, and lacrosse, while capturing multiple state titles in the 800m. She was also a state record holder in the 800m, along with earning regional and conference championships across middle-distance events.
Charlotte brings a deep understanding of athletic performance, consistency, and team culture developed through years of high-level competition. Her background reflects both academic excellence and elite competitive experience at the highest levels of collegiate track and field.