Pamela Armel brings a unique combination of multi-sport competitive experience, decades of coaching, education, and athlete development to VAST Track Club. Her background spans gymnastics, track and field, cross country, and physical education, giving her a well-rounded perspective on developing young athletes.

Born in Mexico City, Pamela began her athletic career as a competitive gymnast before immigrating to the United States at age 15. Her passion for coaching emerged early. At 18, she began coaching recreational gymnastics and moved into competitive coaching the following year, quickly discovering that helping athletes develop their abilities was something she wanted to pursue long-term.

Pamela also competed in track and field during high school, ultimately earning an athletic scholarship to California State University, Fullerton. She initially joined the collegiate program as a pole vaulter, but her versatility soon led her into the heptathlon, where she competed across multiple disciplines. She also ran the 4x400-meter relay, competed in the 800 meters and middle-distance events, and spent two years competing in cross country. Her experience across such a broad range of events gave her an extensive understanding of speed, endurance, strength, technique, coordination, and overall athletic development.

Even while competing collegiately, Pamela continued coaching competitive gymnastics. She later expanded into track and field coaching, serving as a volunteer assistant track and cross-country coach at Cal State Fullerton before coaching multi-event athletes at the junior college level for several years.

Pamela earned her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology in 2002, further strengthening her understanding of human movement, physical performance, and athlete development. After graduation, she continued coaching competitive gymnastics and advanced into leadership roles, including serving as her gym’s Compulsory Team Director and Future Stars Director.

Following her marriage in 2006, Pamela continued her education, earning a Master’s degree in Elementary Education as well as her teaching credentials in Physical Education. Her combination of coaching and educational experience has shaped an approach centered on developing the whole athlete—building technical ability and physical fitness while also encouraging discipline, confidence, perseverance, and personal growth.

Pamela and her husband relocated to Florida with their two children in 2018. She continued coaching competitive gymnastics until 2020, when she shifted her focus to homeschooling her children.

At VAST Track Club, Pamela brings decades of experience as an athlete, coach, educator, and mentor. Her diverse background allows her to understand athletes from multiple perspectives and reinforces VAST’s commitment to developing young people who are prepared to succeed both on and off the track.