Braves,
We had a fantastic few days at the Olympic Oval. There were
numerous indoor school records set, and most of the team saw a PR in one event
or another. We are impressed with how hard we have been able to work week in
and week out, and feel we are laying a solid foundation for the rest of this
season. I came away from the weekend with raised expectations for our team and
what we can accomplish moving forward. We have a lot of work to be done before
we can accomplish any of our team goals, which include region titles, but we
are closer to them today than we were at the beginning of the week. As I have said
previously I appreciate what each of you adds to our team in terms of work
ethic, attitude, and dedication.
There is quite a bit to cover in the email so please read
the information carefully. I will cover the plan for this week and Simplot,
among other things.
We do not have a meet this week. As a result we will be able
to do some things in practice that we haven’t been able to in a while. Come
prepared to work hard and step up the intensity of our training. We only have three
more weeks of training during the indoor season so now is the time to take
advantage of what we have. On Friday of this week, 2/3, we will have a team
party in my classroom after school. We will get some pizza and some other
snacks, play games, we’ll do a super smash brothers tournament using my
projector and screen, and just kind of hang out for a couple hours instead of
practice. Though we aren’t at the end of the season by any means, this is the
last off weekend we have before our outdoor practices begin so this is a good
opportunity to have our team party.
Random note- I have been wanting to get some 10 gallon
buckets (or bigger) so we can have our athletes ice their shins in them after
practice when they have shin splint pain. We have an ice machine and can put
water in them and it would be great to treat some of these aches and pains. If
any of you have an extra bucket or two lying around and have no need for it and
would like to donate it to our cause, we would be very grateful. I know that is
a unconventional request but I think it would really benefit our athletes.
Simplot – I have attached a document to this email with some
of the information about Simplot. Please read it and talk about it and see if
it would be something that interests you (as either an athlete or a parent). I
will try to explain here what the Simplot games are, and what the trip will be
like, and why we think it is an awesome experience. The dates are 2/16-2/18.
The Simplot games are a nationally renowned meet competed at
Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho. They have an indoor track that is
banked on the turns inside of Holt Arena, which is their football stadium which
triples as a basketball arena and track facility. I went three times when I was
in high school, and it was one of the most fun events that I did. We went up
last year with a small group of kids and I believe feel like it was a large
reason for our team’s success at region and state later in the season. The meet
is an excellent opportunity to compete against and see some of the fastest
runners in the country and spend a fun few days with your teammates.
Essentially we head up on Thursday after school then return home on Saturday
evening. Some distance races are competed Thursday, along with the trials in
the sprint and mid distance events on Friday. Saturday is an all final day and
is an awesome day to spend at the track watching some of the fastest kids in
the country. Qualifying for finals is a difficult task, but one that I am
confident that several of our athletes could do, including multiple relays.
We have reserved some rooms near the arena and want to take
as many athletes as we can so that we can build this tradition at BHS. The
spaces are limited however so we need to get an idea of who is interested, but
we will have to be selective as we fill out our relays. Priority will be given
to athletes who have consistently been at practice and the meets.
Athletes – please respond print, fill out, and return the
form that I have attached here by Wednesday if you are interested in attending
the Simplot games.
We are hoping to save a few rooms for parents who are
interested in going and helping shuttle athletes to and from the meet. (Unfortunately
the cost of rooms would not be covered completely for parents, but we can talk
about that if you have questions. We would try and compensate one way or
another). We will also need a few parents who are willing to drive athletes up
to Pocatello on Thursday, and some to return on Saturday to bring them home. Coach
Caitlin, Munk, and myself will be driving, but we anticipate needing more
parents to shuttle.
Parents – if you are interested in driving athletes to or
from the meet, please email me and I can answer further questions. If you are
interested in staying in Pocatello, I will see if we have some rooms left over
for you to use, I do anticipate having a few available.
After we have the official count of athletes who are
interested, we will send out official invitations this weekend. We will have a
meeting for all athletes going to Simplot, and parents who are transporting (if
they can make the meeting) one day after practice the following week (meaning
at least 10 days before the trip). I will be sending out follow up requests for
parents later this week as we determine how many athletes we will be taking.
This is a track trip, not a trip to go party or get in to
trouble. Our number one priority will be safety, followed by our competitions. Athletes
will be expected to be in their assigned rooms at lights out and be courteous
to their teammates who are also wanting to compete. I will get phone numbers
for the parents/guardians of each athlete attending. Because of the complexity
of the meet as well we will only take athletes in whom we have trust to do what
they are supposed to do. What makes this trip fun is competing at an incredible
meet with top athletes, and spending time with and supporting your teammates.
I realize that this is a lot of information, and I probably
have not conveyed my vision to you perfectly, so if you have questions please
ask. I totally understand that this is new for many of you, and the information
is not always super clear.
Thanks for all that you do; I look forward to your questions
regarding simplot.
Coach Jacobson
