Sunday, April 24, 2016

4/24 update

Braves,

As track season often goes, we had excellent weather everyday this week up until our invitational on Saturday. As frustrating as that can be, in many instances we were able to rise above the challenges of the weather and make the best of the opportunity we had. More on that to come.

We hosted a meet on Thursday that I thought went very well. I loved at the end of the meet how many of you stepped up and ran a 4x400 relay. That shows me who is buying in to the team concept and is understanding that hard work builds success. Remember, success isn't about titles or being the best, it's about hard work each day, and improving. If you don't improve every week you shouldn't feel like a failure - and improving every week is not practical in high variable races - but it should motivate you to continue to work hard. Progression in track often comes with PRs followed by a plateau. Don't be discouraged by a plateau in improvement, but remember that you are due for a break out.

The Davis invite this year was one for the books. So many crazy things happened. It was super windy to begin the day which took its toll on the early races (I apologize if I leave things out). Our girls 4x100 ran well in the wind and just missed state qualifying. Our boys 4x100 also were running well with a chance at the school record with the intense rain, but because of the rain we missed our final exchange and were disqualified. Max Tooley won the open shot put with a 47 foot throw. Lovely was second in the discus, Tre was also second in the discus, and Bridger was 3rd in the 110H. The weather in the afternoon session only got worse. The athletes battled some pretty crazy rain, wind, and cold. After watching Julia in the invited long jump I was walking across the field and I saw Bridger before his 300H. He looked at me, smiled, and said "I'm gonna win this." That race was stacked with talent. It basically was the 5A state championship final preview, plus Bridger and James (from Bonneville). I simply nodded with hope and pride. At that moment I was most proud of how he was determined to race well even though it was pouring rain. The way he talked and his body language almost made me think it was a balmy day. That is the kind of mental toughness that is needed in this sport, and in life. He decided he was going to compete and succeed. He did not let the rain negatively affect his his approach to the race. With 80m to go Bridger was in 3rd. It was then that Marv said "he's got em." Sure enough as they both stated with certainty, Bridger won it. He didn't win that race with 80m to go, he won it before hand. He won it at practice. He won it in his preparation. He won it with his approach on race day. He had to execute his race in order to put himself in a position to win, and he did just that. His time of 38.90 is second all time at BHS. I recapped his race hoping that you all will leave more determined to be mentally tough in the face of adversity, and to put the work in day in and day out. 

This coming week is supposed to be rainy everyday. Let's determine to work hard even if we get rained on. On Thursday we have a Junior High Meet we will be hosting. We will need all of you there to help. We will take roll that day. It would be very tempting for you to say that you will simply skip that day, but these JH meets are important days for us to help our team in the future. Hopefully you all feel invested in the success for the program after the work you've put into it. JH kids think you guys are awesome, which you are, so we need you there to help those kids have a more positive experience; even if it is raining.

The second clothing order is due on Wednesday if you want to order something. Simply bring the form with a receipt to me in my room, or put it in my box. 

On Friday we will be competing at Woods Cross. It is an afternoon meet and we will give you details on who is competing and what time you are excused. It is an invitational so not everyone will be able to compete, but we will enter as many of you as we can.

Finally, as many of you know my sweet wife, and future XC assistant this summer and fall, is pregnant and was due this past Friday. If I am mysteriously gone a few days in the next week or so, you know why.

Thanks for all you do. Only a few weeks until region so let's take advantage of each day we have.

Coach Jacobson

Sunday, April 10, 2016

4/10 update

Braves,

Attached are the results for the district championships this week. Our performance list is also on the team website. The meet was awesome. We had so many good performances that I left the meet feeling very positive about our team. Just like every meet, there were some ups and downs, and not everybody was totally happy with their performance, but as a team we performed very well. One thing that I strongly believe in is being happy about good performances, but not satisfied. We left the meet happy, but with an understanding that we have a long way to go. One of the things that this meet showed us is that we have a chance - on both the guys and girls sides - to win region. Both teams can walk away with trophies at region this year, and that is our goal. That is something that hasn't been done in about 15 years. Let's keep working for it this year!

There are so many highlights from the meet it will be difficult to mention them all. Both Boys and Girls finished 4th behind Davis, Syracuse, and Viewmont, but ahead of three other 5A teams and Woods Cross. Here are SOME of the highlights.

AK won the 100 and 200, and qualified for state in the process, while bringing home the MVP of the meet. Max Tooley won the Jav and was a member of our 3rd place 4x100 along with Houston, Mars, and Noah - who also placed in the Jav. Max's throw of 190 feet in the jav won him the performance of the meet. Bridger Salazar was 3rd in both the 100m and the 110H - in back to back races - and then turned around and won 300H leaving a pack of Davis kids in his wake. His 22 points were the most by any one athlete at the meet. Marsaylis had a ridiculous jump of 20-6 in the long jump placing him on the all time list. Several others placed and did very well. Go check out our website to see how the all-time list at Bountiful got shaken up this week.

On the girls side Lovely got the win in the shot put. Julia followed that up with an insane jump of 16-10 in the long jump, giving the sophomore second place at the meet, but number 4 all time at Bountiful High. Jazmin started us off right on day two of the meet by dominating her run off to get into finals. Those events are a ton of fun and really inspire a team. Her race gave our team a TON of momentum and got us going on the right foot. Rachel finished the 100H 4th and then came back to win the 300H with a dramatic come from behind win over the final 40 meters. Rachel (1st), Christy (3rd), and Julia (8th) represented BHS in the 300H final and were the most of any one school in the race. Their 17 points in one event was huge for the team. That race at region is going to be something else if these girls keep improving like they have. Each of them had a PR of over two seconds in that race alone. Our 4x100 finished 3rd with Christy, Kristalynn, Victoria, and Jazmin. They had an awesome race. Each member of that team played an important role in the meet, more than the one race. Victoria and Kristalynn and both just missed finals in one of their individual events, but came back positive and gave our team a lift. Amelia Tew had a PR in the medley 800 to get us 5th, and our 4x400 also finished 5th. 

I apologize for not being able to mention everyone in the recap. There were so many good moments.

As we look towards region and state we must continue to work and improve each day.  On both the boys and girls sides we have 9 athletes qualified in 12 events for state. Each meet that number increases. Our hope is that we fill the bus going to state with how many athletes that qualify by time or by place at the region meet.

This coming week will be our last without an invitational. We have a meet on Thursday at East High.  All who are eligible will be able to compete. Talk to your event coaches about what events you should do. 

I love coaching. You guys make it so much fun to be around and are great to work with. We appreciate your dedication to improve and the hard work you put in each day. Keep it up.

Sunday, April 3, 2016

4/3 update

Braves,

I hope you all an a wonderful spring break and were able to rest where needed and also able to continue to train, considering the meet that we have this Tuesday and Wednesday @ Syracuse - the district championships. Tomorrow's practice is going to be crucial for us to set up relays and fine tune some things before Tuesday's trials.

We had a group of 15-25 kids everyday during the break who were there and working hard. We got some quality work in on the track and the hills. The weather was lousy all week but as a group we still got better. I was extremely impressed with their commitment and effort each day. Now that spring break is behind us, and the season is before us, we must be dedicated to improving every single day. Now is the time to show what kind of team we are and what kind of athlete you will be. Let's get after it tomorrow. I've missed practicing with you all, it'll be good to see you.

We will try and enter as many individuals we can for the meet, but we are limited on entries so we will see what we are able to do. We also will run an eligibility form based on 3rd term performance, so some of you may not bee able to compete. We will send out an email tomorrow evening with the list of events you will be competing in. Again, make sure you are there tomorrow as we will be making entries only on those we are sure are able to compete, and we will be preparing for the relays practicing hand-offs and exchanges. 

Enjoy your last day of the break, stay positive this coming week even though a long and refreshing break is over. Let me tell ya, it gets better from here. 

Contact me with any questions.

Coach Jacobson