Meet the Coaching Staff
Experienced coaches, former Vikings, and event specialists working together to develop athletes at every level of the program.
Mike McCabe
Coach McCabe is the Head Coach of the Union Catholic Cross Country and Track & Field program and has spent more than two decades building one of the premier high school programs in the United States. Under his leadership, Union Catholic has become synonymous with excellence, developing state champions, national champions, All-Americans, Olympians, and student-athletes who have gone on to compete at many of the nation’s top collegiate programs.
Coach McCabe’s teams have captured numerous county, conference, state, regional, and national championships while establishing multiple state and national records. His athletes have earned countless individual and relay titles, including national record performances that have placed Union Catholic among the elite programs in high school track & field history.
Widely recognized as one of the country’s most accomplished coaches, McCabe has received numerous coaching honors throughout his career, including being named USA Today National Girls Track & Field Coach of the Year, multiple USTFCCCA New Jersey Coach of the Year awards, and recognition as one of New Jersey’s most influential figures in high school athletics.
While championships and records are celebrated, Coach McCabe believes the true measure of success is the development of the whole person. His coaching philosophy emphasizes character, leadership, accountability, resilience, and creating a team culture where athletes push one another to become their very best, both on and off the track.
McCabe is also passionate about the science of training and athlete development, blending evidence-based training with years of coaching experience to help every athlete maximize their potential.
Assistant Coaches
Event Specialists + Program Leaders
Luiz Cartagena
Coach Luiz has been a valued member of the Union Catholic coaching staff for over 15 years, specializing in the hurdles and jumps. He has helped develop numerous state champions, All-Americans, and national-caliber athletes, including Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin, and is known for his technical expertise and dedication to athlete development.
Ed Guzman
Coach Guzman serves as Union Catholic’s throws coach, bringing a passion for developing student-athletes both on and off the field. He has helped guide the Vikings’ throwers to success at the conference, county, and state levels while emphasizing sound technique, hard work, and a team-first mentality.
Brian Kopnicki
Coach Kopnicki helps develop athletes from the freshman level through the national stage. His focus on consistency, teamwork, and long-term development has played an important role in the continued success of the Vikings’ distance program.
Samantha Peters
Coach Sam is a proud alumna of the Vikings cross country and track & field program. Having competed for Coach McCabe during her time at Union Catholic, she brings firsthand experience, enthusiasm, and a passion for mentoring student-athletes while helping continue the tradition of excellence.
Braeden Rembert
Coach Braeden is a proud alumnus of the Vikings track & field program. Having competed for Coach McCabe during his time at UC, he brings firsthand knowledge of the program’s culture and standards while helping develop the next generation of sprinters.
Jeff Zeigler
Coach Zeigler serves as Union Catholic’s Assistant Pole Vault and Throws Coach, with a primary specialty in the pole vault. He is dedicated to helping athletes build confidence, master technical skills, and reach their full potential while contributing to the Vikings’ tradition of excellence.
Connor Cooper
Coach Cooper is the newest member of the Union Catholic coaching staff and a proud alumnus of the Vikings track & field program. A former athlete at UC, he brings youthful energy, enthusiasm, and firsthand knowledge of the program’s culture as he helps develop the next generation of Union Catholic sprinters.
Great teams are formed through trust, consistency, selflessness, accountability, and an unwavering commitment to daily improvement—on the track, in the classroom, and beyond.