What kind of training did your team do leading up to state?
We probably do not do anything training wise, outside of the ordinary. We warm up collectively and everyone does the speed, agility, plyo-metric, core, hurdle mobility drills, and various stretches. The athletes branch off to their specialty events and later return as a group, for our warm down. Leading up to state, we focused on fine tuning and perfecting techniques in our throws, hand-offs, jumps, and starts. We also focused on hydration, nutrition, and rest.
What chances or belief did you have in your team's chance and ability to make the podium?
Last year, we placed 4th overall at the 1A State Finals. This fueled our team’s fire, to come back this year, to become the 1A state champions. Most of our athletes were returning athletes and knew, with commitment, they would be faster and stronger. To fill some holes, our returning athletes went to fellow students, to gain some new talent from athletes who had never participated in track and field before, which gave us more depth. Our sites were set on the state championship from day one of this season’s practice. It just came down to what points we actually gained on state day.
What advice or points of emphasis did you give your team prior to the race or the week leading into the state meet?
Our point of emphasis for the team was to stay relaxed, but focused, knowing that we are prepared both mentally and physically, for the state meet. The biggest focus was to be prepared for any unforeseen changes, due to the nature of the meet format. This was the first state meet to alternate the competitions of two classifications (1A/2A) during the meet, and we gave our athletes a lot of “what if” scenarios, with regard to possible event time changes, etc.
What was the game plan for state and how do you feel your team executed it?
With a projection of such tight scoring, the game plan for the state meet was to qualify as many athletes to the finals, and once in the finals, place at least one place ahead of what was projected on paper; to pick up any extra points possible, wherever we could.
Who do you feel really stepped up individually the most for the team at the state meet?
That’s a really hard question to answer. The team’s success was such a united effort. Terrel Phillips (High Jump/110HH) and Sanders Desir (110HH/300IH) had a huge impact on the team scoring, as they placed higher than projected. Mitch Etienne pulled through in both throws (SP/DT). Elijah Thompson placed in pole vault. Our relay members, Andrew Carrie, John Luke, and Casey McCracken helped carry the team, as well. Brandon Bejarano ran phenomenally well, both individually (800/1600) and as a relay team member (4x400 and 4x800). Andrew "AJ" James has definitely stepped it up individually, for the team! He stepped it up to run the triple (100,200,400) and the 4x400, making him the team’s high point scorer. Throughout the season, he has stated he will run whatever it takes to score wherever he could, and with the “4 running event” rule change, it enabled him to add the 100m to his spectrum of events. Great job AJ!
What were the biggest challenges for this year's team?
Some challenges were occasional transportation issues and sharing kids with the performing arts program.
Were there any low points in the season? How did the team bounce back?
I do not recall any low points in our season. Our athletes have had such a positive attitude, with everything. In every outcome, there was a lesson learned and applied to the next competition.
Was there a particular race, workout, or moment that you knew that your team was ready or had the potential to become state champions?
As mentioned previously, our team has been hungry for the 2014 state championship title, since the 2013 state meet. Early in the season, at the Walter Dix Relays, we were given insight as to what our team’s collective capabilities were. At the Fort Lauderdale City Championships meet, prior to the state meet, our athlete’s performances gave us a snapshot of what we could do at the 2014 state emet. During the season, we scouted other teams to see our rankings, and most of the time we were ranked number one or two, for class 1A. During the state meet, it came down to our 4x400 relay team and where we placed, to gain enough points to win. Almost every time these kids ran the 4x400, they would drop their time and set a new school record. Andrew Carrie ran a beautiful sub-50 open split, John Luke and Brandon Bejarano were able to maintain and Andrew James brought us home for a second place, to score us enough points to win the 1A championship title.
How would you best describe the group of kids that you coach?I would describe the kids we coach as driven, focused, and aware.
What role do your assistant coaches play with the program?
We have a fabulous group of assistant coaches! We warm up/condition together as a team and then separate into event specialties. Our assistant coaches are specialty events coaches who provide fundamental instruction to develop our athlete’s capabilities. Our coaches work tirelessly with our kids, to improve technically. They also help motivate the kids by encouragement and awareness (of competition and strategy). They are all awesome!
What would be the best way to describe your coaching style?
Technically stated, business-like/autocratic-selling; meaning, things are planned, organized and explained, but I encourage questions and feedback.
Who were the leaders on your team and what was the importance to the squad?
Everyone on the team is a leader, in their own way. The team is encouraged daily to help each other be accountable in workouts, in life and spiritually, and in academics. Some are leaders spiritually and some are event leaders. Ryan Moore was an overall team leader in warm up, direction, attendance, and in rallying the team together for the state champion mind-set. Andrew James is well respected as an athlete who sets a goal, and does what he says he’s going to do. He leads by challenging his teammates to set goals and works alongside them to help them achieve those goals. Brandon Bejarano leads by encouraging his teammates to always do extra. John Luke is a leader who never misses practice and makes his teammates accountable. Hozie Hankerson leads by helping teach his teammates technique and always competing, to outdo. Luke Miseyko leads in warm up and by direction.
Who was the biggest individual surprise or runner that most impressed you with their improvements this year?
Jordan Mansour; he is a first year pole vaulter (setting the school record), clearing 14’1”. Mitch Etienne, also a first year thrower, placed second at state in shot and fifth in disc.
How would this team rank against some of the past teams that you coached?
This year’s 2014 team has more depth overall.
Every state championship team seems to have a special or unique makeup that makes them state champions. What were some of those characteristics of this year's team?
From day one, of this season, we have focused on state. Our season’s theme, “we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God” (2 Corinthians 4:7), is what has kept us true, throughout the season.
What are your expectations for next year's team?
A big group of our team members are juniors, who will be returning next year. We also have some very talented underclassmen who will step up to fill some empty shoes and we are looking forward to new talent from football and basketball players. So, we have a great outlook for next year.
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