Braves,
We had an incredibly busy week. We were at the super meet on Tuesday and Wednesday then up at Box Elder on Thursday. There were many highlights, making it impossible to recount them all but I will mention a few that come to mind.
Marsaylis in the high jump, Noah in the Javelin, and Rachel in the 100 hurdles all broke into the all-time list at Bountiful High with some impressive marks. To see kids make the all time list in March is awesome, and bodes well for rest of the season. Jazmin was someone who stood out this week. We asked her to run a 400 on Thursday even though she had never done it. What was awesome was the way she resonded, simply by saying, "if it's going to help me get better, then I'll do it." That is exactly the attitude we need from everyone on the team. She went out and ran pretty well in the 400 and I have no doubt she'll continue to improve. Blake ran the mile and the medley 800 on Wednesday and improved nearly ten seconds from last week's meet, in both events. That's not easy to do, but he was determined to improve after feeling that last week wasn't his best performance. The way he finished both those races shows he is capable of shaving a few more seconds off right away. As coaches, all we want is for each of you to improve.
We had several state qualifying marks on both the girls and boys side. We want to qualify as many people as we can for state, obviously, so I encourage you to go on our website and find out what the marks are so that you can work to reach them. For some the marks are a long way off from where you currently find yourself - that's OK. The point isn't to qualify or it's a waste, the point is to improve yourself as an athlete, as a student, and a person. By working toward a goal, no matter how far off, it helps you improve. Each of us needs to set smaller goals on the way to a larger goal to help us on the path of improvement. I encourage each of you during this spring break to spend a few minutes setting some goals, small and large, about where you want to be by the end of the season. I've seen many individuals, including myself, who didn't go to state as a sophomore or a junior, but made it there later on in large part because of setting and working towards goals.
It bears repeating that your contribution to this team IS NOT how many titles you win or points you score in a meet. Your contribution to this team is what you bring day in and day out in practice, at the meets, in the classroom, and in your life. If you come each day with an attitude and determination that you're going to work hard and improve, then you are adding something hugely important to this team. In everything we do we all need to exemplify the attitude that Jazmin said and showed - if it makes me better, then I'll do it. If we all work with that in mind, then this season and team will be a success no matter how many points you score.
Moving forward, I hope you all have an awesome spring break, and are able to recharge your mental batteries for the remainder of the school year. On the track side, we have 8 weeks left in the season. We have the Davis District Championships on Tuesday and Wednesday after spring break. That's our first two day meet with trials and finals, and will be a huge test of our fitness, and will give us an idea of what kind of team we have going forward. In order to be prepared for that meet it is extremely important that you stay active this week.
Those of you who are in town, or will be in town one or more days this coming week, I will be at the track every morning at 10 AM to get a work out in for all who can come. I urge each of you to come if you are in town. Those of you who are out of town, I recommend finding a place where you can workout. Whether it is a treadmill, the streets, or a pool. (Obviously be safe in your choices, I'm not telling you to go run off in Anaheim by yourself if you're headed to Disney Land). All I'm saying is, each day you need to do something that improves your speed and strength so we can be ready for the district championships. If you need specific workout ideas, send me an email and I will send you a few ideas.
We appreciate all you're doing to help our team be successful. We know it is a time commitment, but we also know that it is worth it. The next 8 weeks are going to be so much fun, but there will be ups and downs as we journey through the season together. In the end I hope we resolve to be determined and committed to doing what it takes. If it makes us better, we'll do it.
See you Monday to those of you who are in town. Have an excellent break, Braves.
