Winter Track

For many of us, the holiday break means relaxation and rest, but the same does not necessarily apply for athletes involved in Winter Track and Field. Over the past few seasons, the Track and Field program has been very successful largely due to the hard work and training that the athletes put in at every practice. Coach Reggo leads the team with the help of Coach Woyce, Coach Johnston, and Coach Mandile. Here is what Coach Reggo had to say about this year’s Winter Track and Field team.

What makes a good leader for your team?

“A good leader is someone that comes to practice every day and does the right thing. They set a good example for the underclassmen. A good leader does things before they are told they have to, and encourages the rest of the team to do so too. Also, a good leader is vocal with the rest of the team. They both encourage and lead their teammates, while also being able to give constructive criticism.”

What is the best thing about your sport and/or coaching it?

“I enjoy that track has so many different athletes. You don't have to have any prior knowledge or background to be good at it. Many times if you come everyday, work hard, and are willing to push yourself you will see tremendous improvements. It can be very personally rewarding. You do not have to be the best to see a lot of growth in your event. Success can be measured with your daily improvements which is nice, especially for young athletes.”

What makes your sport unique?

“There is an event for everyone. There are 15 different events, and there is some place for everyone to succeed. There are throws, jumps, hurdles, sprints, and distance events. To have a successful team, you have to fill all of these positions.”

Where do you expect the team to rank this season?

“The league we are in is very difficult this year. I expect the boys and the girls program to be the middle of the pack. I expect us to beat the teams we should beat and have beaten in the past.”

What are you and the team working on in practice?

“Everyone is broken up into the event that they do. So throwers and jumpers are improving their form, and distance sprinters are working on getting faster and stronger. Distance runners are building up their speed and endurance.”

What expectations do you have for your players?

“That they come everyday ready to get better and work harder. If you don't want to be better than you were the day before, then why compete. I expect that the athletes will have high expectations for themselves and work to attain their goals.”

What do you want your players to take away from the season?

“A sense of pride in themselves and their team. Knowing that they dedicated themselves to something and reached goals they didn't know they could. I want them to feel a sense of accomplishment.”

What is the most rewarding part of being a coach?

“A lot of people say winning, and yes that's true and that's nice, but there is more to coaching than that. It is the small successes; a kid that could never clear opening height finally does, a runner that has been working to break a certain time and does. When athletes work hard to reach a goal and do, its rewarding. Also to teach young people lessons about life. Sports are a great analogy to life, and if I can teach each person one thing that can help them later in life, then that makes me happy.”