Jessica Zelinka joined the Dinos on Aug. 16, 2021, as the head coach of the Dinos Track & Field and Cross Country teams.
Zelinka is no stranger to the University of Calgary community, having graduated from the university in 2007 after competing on the Dinos track and field team for four seasons. She is one of the most decorated student-athletes in Dinos history and was inducted into the Canada West Hall of Fame in 2020.
Zelinka began her international career on the track in 2000, two years before she enrolled at UCalgary and competed on the varsity circuit, under the training of former Dinos track and field head coach Les Gramantik. A specialist in combined events, she was a four-time Canada West Athlete of the Year, based on her outstanding performances at conference championships, and helped the Dinos win Canada West titles in 2005 and 2007. At U SPORTS championships, she picked up medals from 17 podium finishes in her collegiate career and was named Female Track Athlete of the year in 2004 and top female field athlete in 2007. The 2007 season was a banner year for Zelinka and the Dinos women's track and field team as they won the national championship, while Zelinka later earned the BLG Award as the top female athlete in U SPORTS.
A native of London, Ont., Zelinka's top performances internationally came in the heptathlon and the individual 100-metre hurdles. She captured her first international medal, winning the heptathlon, at the 2007 Pan American Games. The following year, she made her Olympic debut and finished fourth in the heptathlon at Beijing 2008, breaking a Canadian record. After returning from having a baby in 2009, Zelinka broke her Canadian record in the heptathlon and won the 100-metre hurdles at the 2012 Canadian Trials to qualify for the London 2012 Olympics. At those Games, she placed fifth overall in the heptathlon and had an impressive sixth-place finish in 100-metre hurdles. Zelinka was also a two-time silver medallist in the heptathlon at the Commonwealth Games in 2010 and 2014.
Zelinka has served in coaching capacities for clubs and programs since retiring in 2016. As a contract coach with Athletics Alberta, she has promoted track and field programs and inspired participation in local and rural schools. At the club level, Zelinka's roles include head coach of the junior development program and hurdles and horizontal jump event coach. Zelinka has also delivered track camps and clinics, led dryland training, and offered mentorship for individuals of all ages and sports organizations.
Zelinka received a Bachelor of Arts in communication and culture from UCalgary in 2007 and a Master of Management Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Queen's University in 2018. In addition to several honours from Athletics Canada, Zelinka was named one of Global Calgary's Woman of Vision in 2009, celebrating the accomplishments of outstanding women in the city, and received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012, which recognizes significant contributions by Canadians in their communities or abroad.
SEASONS AS HEAD COACH: 5th (2025-26)
Jessica Zelinka's All-Time Coaching History
^ denotes Coach of the Year
Track & Field
| SEASON |
CANADA WEST - MEN |
CANADA WEST - WOMEN |
U SPORTS - MEN |
U SPORTS - WOMEN |
| 2022 |
6th Place |
Bronze Medallists |
t10th Place |
7th Place |
| 2023 |
6th Place |
Bronze Medallists |
8th Place |
17th Place |
| 2024 |
Bronze Medallists |
Silver Medallists |
9th Place |
Bronze Medallists ^ |
| 2025 |
6th Place |
Silver Medallists |
13th Place |
5th Place |
Cross Country
| SEASON |
CANADA WEST - MEN |
CANADA WEST - WOMEN |
U SPORTS - MEN |
U SPORTS - WOMEN |
| 2021 |
Silver Medallists |
4th Place |
9th Place |
13th Place |
| 2022 |
6th Place |
6th Place |
20th Place |
18th Place |
| 2023 |
6th Place |
6th Place |
-- |
-- |
| 2024 |
6th Place |
6th Place |
20th Place |
-- |
