How did your team fare last season and what did you take away from 2015?
We were LCAC, District, and Region Champions last year. We finished the season with a 3rd place finish at the 3A State Meet. We grew a lot as a team last year and more importantly I grew as a coach. The younger girls now know what to expect at the state meet. We learned our strengths and weaknesses and it is my job to adjust to them so we can work toward our goals this year.
How is the team looking this year?
The girls look strong. You never really know until you start racing. They have become a close knit group in training. I am proud of how they have learned to work together and encourage each other.
To be honest our top 7 is wide open. We have a solid core back from last year and a few new/ extremely improved girls that all look to impact this team.
What are the strengths of this team?
We are deep. I believe there are 10-15 girls that could make varsity. It makes for competitive practices and it also creates a bond because they are working in a large group and realize they are pushing each other to get better.
What summer training been like and did the team attend any camps?
Training has been all about consistency this summer. Lots of strength type work, as most programs do. There is nothing glorious about summer training, but great runners know that it is what leads to fall success. We went to Milligan College near Johnson City, TN for our team camp. We stayed in dorms and trained hard for a week. Lots of time together.
Do you have any new additions who may contribute or any surprise non-returners?
We have a large freshman class that could quite possibly help us this fall. We already have quite a large group. The more the merrier.
What are the team goals?
We truly hope to be in the mix at the 3A State Meet. As I said earlier, we learned a lot last fall and we are better for it. My job is to put these girls in a spot to be successful and we have to believe in each other come state series time.
What meets are you really excited about and keying in on?
We are traveling to Great American this fall as well as FSU. We have a week span where we have those to meets bookending our conference meet. It will be a tough but a great week competitively speaking.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I am grateful to work with these girls and their families. My wife and I get to coach hardworking, high quality individuals and it is amazing. We feel blessed that our children get to be around amazing people on a daily basis. It has become our family. Good Luck to everyone this fall! It should be a fun season!