How two coaches from opposite ends of the track are shaping Florida’s next generation of elite athletes

In Marion County’s competitive high school track scene, few names hold more weight than Tony McCall and Darrin DeTorres — but their paths to coaching prominence couldn’t be more different.

One was a world-class sprinter who shined on the biggest stages. The other built his legacy slowly, as a mentor, announcer, and coach rooted deeply in the local running community. Today, the two have found common ground — not through similar styles, but through a shared belief that the athlete always comes first.

The Sprinter: Tony McCall

Tony McCall’s resume reads like a track & field legend. A Forest High School graduate, he never lost a race to a Florida Competitor after his sophomore year, capturing state titles in the 100m, 200m, and 4×100 relay. He ran 10.31 as a high school senior — the fastest in the nation — and placed third in the 100m at the Junior Worlds in Seoul, South Korea.

At the University of North Carolina, McCall became an 11-time All-American and still holds the school records in the 100m (10.08) and 200m (20.44). He competed internationally and later played in the XFL before returning to Ocala, where he now runs speed and agility programs for youth athletes.

The Builder: Darrin DeTorres

A Vanguard High School graduate, Darrin DeTorres was a varsity athlete in both cross country and track, earning a scholarship to Embry-Riddle before finishing his degree at the University of North Florida. Though injuries ended his collegiate competition early, he remained active in the sport — working at the prestigious Jacksonville Running Company, helping organize summer camps, and mentoring high school athletes across the region.

Upon returning to Ocala, DeTorres served as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Vanguard, under legendary distance coach James Travieso — widely regarded as one of Florida’s all-time greats. Vanguard has dominated the local distance scene for over two decades, and the lessons DeTorres learned under Travieso helped shape his coaching philosophy.

He later founded the Ocala Distance Project, a youth development program that now accounts for over 70% of the top-ranked distance runners in Marion County. The program emphasizes long-term growth, consistency, and community — and has become a launching pad for state champions and national qualifiers.

Individual Coaching Successes

McCall’s recent coaching highlights include:

  • Hope Willis – 2024 1A state champion in girls discus

  • Marshall Zackery – U.S. Paralympian, national record holder in 100m and 200m, Tokyo 2020 competitor

  • Jonathan Gore – Qualified for the 2024 Paralympic Championships in Paris

  • Caleb Moore – Ran 52.79 in the 400m and 23.55 in the 200m (Nike & New Balance Nationals qualifier; currently ranked top 30 nationally in the 400m)

  • Cedric McFadden – 2024 1A state champion in the 800m (coached alongside DeTorres)

DeTorres’ distance coaching success includes:

  • Jacob Rogers – Indoor 800m state champion as an 8th grader

  • Collin Moore – Winner of the Boston Distance Medley age group; top under-18 finisher at 2025 Gate River Run (55:31 for 15K)

  • Trevor Berquist – 4th at the middle school state XC meet, 21st nationally in the 3K (10:10.96)

  • Lachlan Bryniarski – Top 25 national ranking in the 3K (10:15.03)

  • Sydney Farris – Top 15 national ranking in the 3K (11:19)

  • Ocala Distance Project 4×800 relay – Ranked top 40 nationally (9:26)

  • Caleb Moore – Initially developed under DeTorres and now splits his time between ODP and McCall’s program

Where Their Work Intersects

While their individual coaching portfolios are impressive, what makes this duo unique is the way they’ve blended their expertise when the situation calls for it — always in the best interest of the athlete.

One of their earliest collaborations was with Lexi, a young sprinter in McCall’s program who showed endurance potential. Rather than limit her development, McCall encouraged her to begin working with DeTorres and the Ocala Distance Project a couple of days each week. Lexi remained in McCall’s program while growing her distance abilities — a decision that led her to place top 15 nationally in cross country and win a national title for a different club in the 3K, an event she would have never discovered without McCall’s insight.

“One of the reasons the partnership works,” DeTorres says, “is we both understand our blind spots. Instead of keeping a talented kid just to say they’re ‘ours,’ neither of us has a problem sending an athlete to the other. Lexi could have been a good sprinter, but she became a great distance runner. Caleb Moore looked like a promising 800-meter runner early on, but under Tony, he’s become a nationally ranked 400m sprinter. When you have coaches who can collaborate without ego, it helps the athletes tremendously.”

Looking Ahead

Though their methods differ, the results speak volumes. McCall’s athletes explode out of the blocks; DeTorres’ grind out negative splits. And together — even if only part of an athlete’s weekly routine — they’ve built a developmental model rooted in flexibility, mutual respect, and athlete-first thinking.

Their goal isn’t to dominate the coaching landscape. It’s to elevate the athletes within it. As McCall and DeTorres look to the future, they aren’t just chasing medals — they’re building one of the strongest pipelines of youth talent in Florida, one athlete at a time.