In this series we take a look at state championship and runner-up coaches, their outlook on the team, the season, and the future of the program. Coach Marshall Trace has been coaching for seven years, his first four as an assistant at St. Thomas Aquinas and the past three as head coach at Northeast High School in Oakland Park. In 2014, Trace guided the Hurricanes to a runner-up finish in 4A, the first podium finish for the girl's program since 1984.
What kind of training did your team do leading up to state?
Our training program combined various activities broken down specifically for each portion of the season in order to develop stamina, speed and explosiveness. We worked in the weight room consistently throughout the season to maintain strength and develop power. The program was designed in an effort to allow our student-athletes to run their best times of the year at the end of the season.
What chances or belief did you have in your team's chance and ability to make the podium?
From early in the season we knew that our team would have a great chance at placing in the state championship. The work that our girls had done in the cross country season and throughout the pre-season conditioning program showed us that they were going to be able to turn heads at the end of the year.
What advice or points of emphasis did you give your team prior to the race or the week leading into the state meet?
I emphasized the idea that all the work that they had put in over the last several months had been done; that they had no pressure, and that they were capable of doing far more than they had ever done before. I told them that they had the chance to be a part of our school's history and that they only needed their confidence and commitment to accomplish the goals that they had set for themselves. They were an extremely talented group and they had to be willing to compete for one another as a team and for themselves as individuals.
What was the game plan for state and how do you feel your team executed it?
Our game plan was to be mentally prepared for any situation, to remain calm and in control, and to stay focused on competing the way that we had trained all season. Our ladies executed extremely well. They were faced with a series of challenges and attacked them head on. They all competed with pride and mental toughness and came away with the results we hoped for.
Who do you feel really stepped up individually the most for the team at the state meet?
Daeshon Gordon (pictured above) and Camora Sanders stepped up and really took charge for our team. They both came into the meet focused on executing their game plans and gave excellent performances from start to finish.
What were the biggest challenges for this year's team?
Our girls faced many challenges this year, a number of them were transfers and had to learn to compete at a new program with new coaches and equally high expectations. They also faced criticism and scrutiny from other teams at most of the meets that they traveled to. Several of our student-athletes were also coming back from off season injuries and fighting to continue to compete throughout the season.
Were there any low points in the season? How did the team bounce back?
Early in the season, a member of our boys team passed away. Many of the student-athletes were shaken by this tragedy and used one another, and track to overcome the emotion that they felt in the wake of such a difficult loss. It was painful, but our students and staff came together as a family and supported one another and were able to continue to strive forward toward their goals. About half way through the season, just before county championships, our girls were not seeing their times drop the way that they wanted to, which led to some frustration. We talked a lot about continuing to work a a high level and focusing on competing at meets with the same effort and enthusiasm that they were giving in practice workouts. Once we moved into the final phase of our training, and the girls started to see that their efforts were turning into noticeable time differentials, they had a renewed commitment to challenging what they knew was going to be the best competition in the state.
Was there a particular race, workout, or moment that you knew that your team was ready or had the potential to become podium finishers?
When our team traveled to Miami early in the season to compete at the Sam Burley Invitational they faced some of the toughest competition in South Florida. When we left that meet, having won and placed in several of the events there, and the team celebrated their successes together, I knew we had something special.
How would you best describe the group of kids that you coach?
They are fun-loving, enthusiastic, hard working, accountable, and committed to track and field and to each other.
What role do your assistant coaches play with the program?
They play a huge role. They are responsible for preparing the girls for their races and working with them to develop great technique and execution. They help them to mentally prepare to execute their events and keep them working at a high level on an every day basis.
What would be the best way to describe your coaching style?
My coaching style is enthusiastic, hands-on, observant and co-operative. I have tried to learn from the people that I have been around over the last several years and impart as much of that knowledge onto my team as I can. I try to work with my athletes and staff to maximize the effectiveness of each individual to get the most out of myself and my team.
Who were the leaders on your team and what was the importance to the squad?
Daeshon Gordon, Symone Lindsay, and Camora Sanders were our team's leaders. They helped each group of our team (hurdlers, sprinters, and throwers respectively) to keep focused on their goals at all times. Their efforts on a daily basis forced the rest of the team to keep up with them and to excel to new levels. They also understood the personality of our team and were able to keep workouts positive and fun even when they wanted to give up and go home.
Who was the biggest individual surprise or runner that most impressed you with their improvements this year?
Freshman Casly Israel was the biggest surprise this year. Her attitude and effort were contagious and she was always willing to work extremely hard. In the end, she qualified for the regional finals in the 400m and ran an excellent leg in the 4x800 finals at the state championship. I expect great things from her in the future.
How would this team rank against some of the past teams that you coached?
This team had the best work ethic of any team that I have coached at Northeast. They worked at an incredibly high level and were really fun to be around. They were the kind of group that every coach hopes to have every year.
Every podium team seems to have a special or unique makeup that makes them great. What were some of those characteristics of this year's team?
This year's team was incredibly talented, but they were also unbelievably hard workers. They had a focus and determination that was undeniable and they had a positive attitude that could not be conquered by any amount of outside negativity.
What are your expectations for next year's team?
I expect that next year's team will work extremely hard to live up to the high standard that this team has set. I see a team that is hungry for more. These girls are extremely committed and confident and ready to challenge some of the state's fastest and strongest competition.
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