A New Era

In May of 2008 we graduate group of young ladies in our program that were so talented and so team oriented you just knew they were going to be difficult to be replaced. Well, you can't replace them but you can be blessed with another committed and talented young group. We have a great and competitive group of 9Th graders that are the truth. We are excited about their potential this season. Its not going to be easy but our possibilities are endless for '09.

What we accomplish together is far greater than what we do on our own

The XC season ended a couple of weeks ago but I was really pleased with what was accomplished. The boys were 7th overall at state which was the highest finish in school history and an unexperienced girls team was in the top 20. So I felt pretty good about it and am enjoying my break til resuming training. We have something great to build on.

I will be back here soon.

Not Since 2005

Well we accomplished our first goal of qualifying both our boys team and girls team to state Saturday Nov 8. Not since 2005 has this been done. I have always had a girls team to qualify but it was a fight for the boys. I am really proud of the kids and their continuing on the legacy of their former teammates. So far we have had good practices. That's always a good indication of how the state meet will go. We have a few more days to prepare.

The challenge

I haven't been here for a minute because my summer vacation ended (just in time for the Olympics:( and school started. Practices are more intense now. I never mentioned that have taken over the boys XC team as well. I am assisted by our 2 male assistants but I am the only one who was mentored to take over the XC program. I am using the same formula that enabled my girls XC to win last year. Right now I am giving our kids a good base and staying on them about form. I am excited because its going to take me to another level as a coach. The boys are still getting used to my strictly business approach but for the most part they are responding. The girls already know. They have always been my stress relief. Its going to be a good season.

Becoming a Leader

The past couple of years I have been spoiled by my now college bound seniors who were great leaders and captains for me. I currently have XC team where I have to go back and lead them myself as I develop one. Thankfully since I have gotten older I understand things alot better.

A team has to have a solid leader that will lead them in the right direction. They understand your philosophy as a coach and demonstrate that philosophy to the rest of team. Some kids are hesitant about taking on a leadership role because they don't want to disappoint. I try to make sure they understand that there are going to be some times that you are going to get frustrated and not want to do it anymore. It is a task you have to work on daily. Good leadership is essential to a teams' success.

Do I Really want to be good?

One of the things that I love about our hs track and XC program is that it doesn't take long for our program to weed out those that just want to be a part of and those that really want to be good and get better. Our kids work intensely everyday and commit to improving themselves. It allows them to see themselves doing some things that they never thought they could do. The ones who don't' make it unfortunately end up quitting because it is a real commitment. Their commitment transfers into the classroom. They either push themselves harder to improve their grades etc or they just do enough to get by. The intent is that if they improve mentally, physically, and spiritually from year to year they take with them life lessons when they leave us.

Giving Back

A couple of weeks ago I heard the story about how former LSU runner Lolo Jones had given her home town of Des Moines,Iowa her prize money in an effort to help the recovery from the flood damage. I was really moved by this story which many people don't know about. When you give back their is something that you experience that is indescribable. You experience such wonderful blessings in your life because you give with genuine heart. Even if you don't have money your time is equally valuable, especially to young people. I think LoLo Jones is going to be blessed with her Olympic gold in the coming weeks because of her genuine heart.