Coach Bruckner is in her second year as a graduate assistant coach for cross country and track and field.
Prior to coming to Simpson she spent three years as a volunteer coach at University of California Golden Bears.
Originally from San Jose, CA - Bruckner has had a decorated career as she attended college at the University of Texas. She graduated as one of the Longhorns’ top throwers in program history. She broke school records in the hammer throw, the weight throw and the outdoor discus, as well as earning the No. 4 and No. 5 spots, respectively, in the outdoor and indoor shot put. In 2018, she was named to the All-American Second Team for the discus throw; two years later, she made First Team All-American and was Big 12 Champion in the indoor shot put. Bruckner was also outstanding in the classroom, twice earning Academic All-Big 12 honors.
After college, she returned to the bay area to continue pursuing her throwing dreams and became a volunteer assistant coach at UC Berkeley where she trained with coach Mohamad Saatara. In 2023, Elena placed 3rd at the US championships making the World championship team for the US competing in Budapest. She also represented the stars and stripes at the Pan American games in Santiago, Chile where she placed 6th in the discus. This past summer, Elena qualified for her third US Olympic Trials and placed 6th in the discus, just missing out on a spot for the Paris Games.
As the newest addition to the Red Hawks Track and Field staff, Coach Bruckner is focusing on the throws and operations for our team. When describing her coaching philosophy, Bruckner shares, “For me, coaching starts with the relationship. I know how much that connection shapes an athlete’s mindset and performance. I believe every athlete has value far beyond what they do in the ring. When we take care of both the body and the brain, the results take care of themselves.”
Bruckner helped grow the throws program with 5 new throws school records being broken or set in her initial year. 11 of the 12 throwers on the squad set personal records in their events this past spring.
The throws team is bringing life back into the Cal Pac field events with hammer and javelin making their first appearances at the conference meet this past spring. With a new throws facility being built on campus, Coach Bruckner is ready to continue the growth and improvement of our Red Hawk throws squad.
