Thoughts?

My biased thoughts?

GREAT POTENTIAL!

 

Right away, the girls team has the chance to be extremely successful right away. Brianna McCarthy will lead the field events (two time defending state champ in the Disc--and the most likely favorite in the shot put). Lauren Miller also has the ability to score a LOT of points in the throwing events at the highest level. Olivia Miniard and Lexi Hunter are great returning sprinters. Shannon Redfield, Alex Keller, Maddy Schwarz and Mackenzie Rylee all have a great deal of potential in mid-distance/distance. There are a few big guns inside the school who could (and hopefully do) make a huge impact as well. Besides the obvious (McCarthy) Redfield will be a huge surprise to everyone. As long as the girls realize that the coaching change is a "good" thing--and will help them improve beyond last year--they can easily be the surprise team of Class A.

 

Boys ...... lots of unknowns at this point. But what you end up with is a very solid core of successful athletes. Cameron Vocke, Dane Everett, John Cardosi, Drew Verkamp, Father Scott Mescher, Taylor Davis, Alex Brennen, Josh Bradley, Max "Big Smoke", Nussbaum, Gage Erdman, Brett Eyckmans, Corey Cruse make up a solid nucleus that should be able to complete in Class A immediately. This core group of athletes is used to working together (surprise surprise!), so their expectations are extremely high. There will be some growing pains with the boys (teaching them how track works), but by the end of the year--I would suspect that the sprints/field events will score a boatload of points.

 

The keys for the program is changing the culture and getting the younger kids inside the school involved. Track is a sport where you can involved a large portion of the student body. Developing middle school talent (and involvement) is an absolute must--and will be a priority. It will also take some time to develop the distance aspect of the program (a little easier to do in track since there are more chances to score sprint points).

 

There has been great support from the school (which is extremely important) and the Boosters (which is even more important when trying to take a track program to the next level).

 

As far as where these teams end up in the grand scheme of things ... I will let someone else make that prediction! (You can also find more information about the track program at http://www.beechwoodtrack.com)

The girls track team has had some good individual successes over the years. Adding boys track this year, it is going to be fun to watch things develop. Best of luck to all the athletes on an exciting season.

As of 01/05/2011--there are over 90 kids who have signed up to be part of the track and field program.

If that number can stay above 60 .... it would be phenominal.

If I remember correctly, when the football turf was put in, I heard that the track did not have enough lanes to hold a track meet. Is that correct? So, the track meets all will be away meets? How many meets are there in a season? How long is the season?

 

I know, I know, many...many questions.

If I remember correctly, when the football turf was put in, I heard that the track did not have enough lanes to hold a track meet. Is that correct? So, the track meets all will be away meets? How many meets are there in a season? How long is the season?

 

I know, I know, many...many questions.

 

All good questions, Gov.

The situation wit the track has more to do with the shape of the corners on the end closets to school

Technically .. there still really nothing stopping anyone from having a meet there ... but I think many schools would shy away from our track simply because of the shape.

The lane situation isn't a huge deal .. other than the fact that any meet there would be pretty small.

The one thing that could happen ... is a field event meet (if the school were ever to purchase a cage--or if the baseball cage could fit the correct dimentions .. which it may).

 

We are actually partnering with Dixie to host the 2nd addition of the NKY/Area 5 Elite Invitational on Friday, May 13, 2011 (Invitation only pitting the 16 best participants, regardless of Class or entry limits in NKY). It will be a great chance to get our parents involved in running a meet.

In the end ... it is great to have a track to practice on .... so I am not complaining!

 

"Officially" the season has already began. Beechwood starts on 01/10/2011. The Class A State Championship will be held on May 28, 2011 at Cardinal Park.

However .. there is some built in down time in our schedule between the indoor/outdoor portions of our season.

At this point--we will most likely attend 4-5 indoor meets (with our elite competitors possibly going to 1 or 2 more) and then 8-10 Outdoor Meets.

Our schedule will be significantly different than it has been in the past (the Boosters stepped up big time to help us with this part).

IT will probably be 65/35 local vs travel meets (we needed the improved quality in the schedule--to showcase the talent of athletes like Brianna McCarthy--she is ranked 2nd in the state going in to the season--and we need to make sure that she gets the competition that she needs. We will also have some other girls who will benefit from the new schedule (Shannon Redfield, O. Miniard, L. Miller and a boatload of the boys)

We have a large middle school group--and our goal for them is 6 meets (the more experienced ones will get some Reserve/Varsity time if their mental/physical ability is ready for that step.

 

Hopefully this answers your questions .. if anything else comes up .. let me know!

How will Vocke fare?

How will Vocke fare?

 

My thought is that he will do very well.

He is quick as heck off the line ... has great turnover--and is really working hard to be successful.

I think that we also have the makings of a couple great relays (Vocke, Nussbaum, Erdman, Brennen with plenty of depth after that).

The key will be getting everyone in the right spot to maximize our points.

Are they allowing athletes to play baseball and run track...........or is this going to be a "choose one"scenario. If so ..........what impact is this going to have on baseball?

Are they allowing athletes to play baseball and run track...........or is this going to be a "choose one"scenario. If so ..........what impact is this going to have on baseball?

 

There is no cross over.

There is no one from baseball that wants to run track .... and there is no one from track that wants to play baseball.

The only one who played baseball last year who is now running track is Max Nussbaum (and he wasn't going to play baseball this year anyway).

im excited to see how Scott Mescher does, considering from what i've heard this is his first year running track. Any thoughts?

There is no cross over.

There is no one from baseball that wants to run track .... and there is no one from track that wants to play baseball.

The only one who played baseball last year who is now running track is Max Nussbaum (and he wasn't going to play baseball this year anyway).

 

What is Nussbaum or others want to participate in spring football?

im excited to see how Scott Mescher does, considering from what i've heard this is his first year running track. Any thoughts?

 

Isn't it all of their 1st year running track? At least the boys?

im excited to see how Scott Mescher does, considering from what i've heard this is his first year running track. Any thoughts?

 

Scotty is really doing well so far. It is tough to tell a kid to run for 40 minutes when they are not used to use to it. Scott has really done well with the transition. Scott is physically "designed" to be a distance runner. He also has the mental make up to be a distance runner (he doesn't let stuff bother him .. and he keeps the environment loose for his teammates). We need to score some distance points to have a chance to win the State Championship. Scott will be the one to do it.

 

What is Nussbaum or others want to participate in spring football?

 

A couple things here ... 1. Spring football has always been more about teaching basic techniques at Beechwood .. so if any of the football kids did miss ... not so sure they are missing a lot. 2. We have a head football coach who is 100% on board with the track program. Coach Rash knows what it will bring to the table--and has already worked the schedule out so NO football kids miss weights. 3. I have a crazy feeling that we will "work it out" .. (come on Clyde .. like you didn't know! 90 percent of the boys are football players ... of course we will make it work!)

 

Isn't it all of their 1st year running track? At least the boys?

 

Correct .... a few boys (kids who spent time at other schools) have participated in the past ... but nearly all the boys are new to track (for the record--all these boys look like "old pros" ... none of them conduct their selves like rookies). In regard to the program in general .. there are MANY new kids out (girls included). We have some great returning girls .. and we have added some huge heavy hitters who want to be part of the program as well. The girls team is pretty balanced in regard to talent (great potential in the sprints/distance/hurdles/jumps/throws) .. the boys need to add a few distance guys ... and all should be great.

 

To any of you curious about the program .. stop by some time and check it out. It is pretty cool to see a 100 kids of all ages zooming around on the track!

So Coach, I hear that there is a track meet this weekend. Can you answer these questions:

Where is the meet?

Is it for boys and girls?

Are all the kids going?

Are there field events too at indoor meets? I assume that there are, but not sure.

Do you expect much involvement/attendance from the parents at these meets?