3/26 update

Braves,

This was a pretty busy with three meets in three days, even though one of them was ultimately cancelled. We took a group to the super meet at Davis high and had some outstanding performances. Invitationals like the super meet are one of the ways that athletes can qualify for state. There are two ways to qualify for state, by reaching the qualifying mark (a list of those are on our website) in a “state qualifying meet” (aka invitational) or by placing in one of the top 4 places at the region meet this may. I will include a list of who has qualified for state at the end of each update.

We had 4 individuals qualify for state this week, some in multiple events, and both our medley relay teams made it. Those medleys were some crazy races. We knew going in that each runner would need to run a personal best, or really close to it, to have a chance at qualifying. Hitting the qualifying mark this early in the year is really difficult to do, because the marks are set each year at state, when teams are stacked for great performances, based on the 8^th place team from the past few years. Are girls team, Julia, Jazmin, Rachel, and Laurie got out and competed hard. If you’ve ever seen Laurie run you won’t soon forget the expressions she makes when she is determined to lay it all out there on the track. Her determination boils over into a scowl that would intimidate Apollo Creed. I love seeing that kind of drive and competitiveness, especially when you know she is doing it for her team. All four runners ran a solid leg that gave each other a chance. They ended up beating the qualifying mark by 0.4 of a second and placing second overall.

The girls’ team ended the meet finishing 7^th of 13 in a field composed of 1 other 4A school amongst 5A schools. The boys’ medley, Cooper, Hunter, Kohle, and Dallin, was almost the exact same story. We needed solid performances from each runner and that is exactly what we got. After Dallin got the baton, his first lap did not put us on pace to hit the mark, but with 300m to go he turned on the burners, leaving the field in the dust and blowing by 2^nd place Davis to win the event, negative splitting his 800 (63-61) and saw his team through the line, making the qualifying mark by 0.25 of a second.

The relays were highlights of the meet because of the effort of each teammate, and also the enthusiasm of the teammates who were there in support. I love seeing our team excited for each other. It shows that we are about something bigger than ourselves and that we are in this together.

Our first invitational of the season is passed, with many more to go. As we look over the results we see the potential of a region championship for both the boys and the girls. We have a solid core, but it is going to take more from each one of us. We have athletes that are projected to finish 10^th, or 7^th in an event. We need to put in the work now to turn those into 8^th place and 4^th place and get those lower level points to give us a bump up. What we do today determines where we will finish tomorrow. As cliché and obvious as that is, I worry that some of us don’t get that, or lack the foresight to understand what it takes. Help your teammates when it looks like they are struggling in practice. Keep after them and lift them up when needed. Stay positive even when you don’t feel it. Enter the stadium each day determined to give all you can. When you walk onto the track you should already know the effort level you’re going to give.

A few things to know for this week:

Practice on Monday will be at 10 AM for runners and jumpers. Throwers will meet at 2 PM. Girls can pick up their new uniforms in my classroom after practice. Bring the old one to exchange it.

The district championships are on Tuesday and Wednesday. Entries will be finalized on Monday night. As with every invitational, if you have been missing practice, do not expect to be invited to the meet. If you don’t train with the team how can we let you race with the team? I said this to my sprinters but I will say it here too: people who come to practice every day but don’t score a point at any meet contribute more to our team than someone who rarely comes but wins region. Your contribution to the team has little or nothing to do with the points you score. It has everything to do with what you bring to it each day in terms of attitude, effort, and commitment. On that note, Thursday’s turnout to practice was horrible. Thank you to those who came and were ready to work hard in spite of the conditions. Each of you got better physically and mentally. Unfortunately there were a lot of people who went home and got weaker. That cannot be what our team is about. Teams don’t get better or win championships when we are afraid of the rain. It snowed for a solid 5 minutes of practice, and then the rain stopped after about 20. It’s days like Thursday that make us wonder if we understand how close region is this year. If we are going to win it is going to take us working at the next level. We are not the favorites to win it, but we have the personnel to do it.  We have to be mentally stronger if we are going to have a chance. Keep in mind that spring weather in Utah is going to have its ups and downs. We will have perfect weather at some races, and torrential rain storms at others. It seems like the bigger the meet, the worse the weather, so we better start getting used to it.

That being said, our team isn’t about condemning someone the rest of the year because they made a bad choice one day (probably Thursday) to miss practice. Each one of you is a valued member of the team. Your contribution isn’t based on one day, if it was then you could have one awesome practice and call it good. It is based on what we do day after day. So even if you felt my rebuke was aimed at you, it’s ok, come this week ready to start fresh and get better. That is the last I will say specifically about Thursday’s practice.

We will send out an email tomorrow with information of who is going to the district meet and when the bus leaves. Some of the distance runners who were entered in the meet had to be changed based on number limitations and practice attendance, so be aware of that.

Those who do not run at the district meet are still welcome to come support. There will be a jv meet on Thursday or Friday, at bhs or davis, and I will let you know as soon as I know the details. Everyone who does not race at district will be invited to that meet.

Let me know if you have any questions.

3/19 update

Braves,

The season is underway and we had an excellent showing at the first meet of the season on Thursday. There were a lot of good things that happened and we opened the season about as good as we could have hoped, which is encouraging as we move into the first few state qualifying meets of the season. Here are a few notes from the meet on Thursday:

·         We had 86 athletes compete in the meet on Thursday; 44 girls and 42 boys. Last year we had only had 34 girls on our roster. I love seeing the girls team growing as it is in a school where historically we have had small teams. That’s changing

·         If my memory is correct we won the 100/110H, 300H, 400m, 4x400m Discus, Javelin, and Shot put on both the boys and girls sides.

·         Both teams won the meet by over 20 points without running medleys or 4x100s.

·         We had 9 4x400m teams at the end of the meet, which is a record that we want to improve on at some of the other small meets that we have.

Those are some good TEAM accomplishments because it shows the direction that we are heading in and the potential we have on the season. We are off to a good start, but that’s all it is: a start. All of this will mean nothing if we can’t build on it. We are a long way from region and state and we have a lot we need to improve on if we are going to give ourselves a shot of winning region. I can guarantee that each one of the teams that we saw on Thursday have a number of areas that they were holding back in, similar to us, so we cannot become over confident. There are a lot of strong teams in our region that we haven’t faced yet so we need to get a lot better between now and May. We have to bring the intensity to practice every day so that we can put ourselves in the position to compete for a region title in May.

Moving ahead to this week, we have a couple of meets on the schedule. On Tuesday and Wednesday we have the super meet at Davis High. The girls compete Tuesday and the boys compete Wednesday. This is a state qualifying meet and an invitational, so not everyone will be able to compete at this meet. On Thursday there is a JV meet at Box Elder. Everyone who didn’t compete at the super meet will compete at the JV meet on Thursday. We will let you know if you are going to the super meet by Monday, but if you are welcome to ask me if you can’t wait until Monday. Some of you are on the fence so I may not be able to tell you with complete certainty until Monday. With all the meets this week we have limited days of practice this week so we can’t be missing practice.

I know some of you have a choir commitment on Tuesday night (is it also Wednesday night?). Please email me ASAP and tell me if you are in the choir so that we can enter you in the events. This is a meet where we will enter you online before the meet.

Some of you who were on the fence of going to the Super meet didn’t show up for practice on Friday, so that makes our decision much easier. Again, we can’t be missing practice and then expect to race. We have been doing much better this season than last in terms of coming to practice each day, and we appreciate your efforts in being there each day on time. There are still too many people missing practice any given day. We need to stop making excuses to miss practice and start making excuses to go to practice. Most of you are there each day and I can’t tell you how much better it makes our lives as coaches to have kids we can count on day in and day out to be on time ready to work hard. Thank you for making are lives easier.

Let’s get ready to work this week and understand that we are off to a good start, but if we don’t continue to get better it won’t mean anything. Remember to email me if you are in the choir Tuesday night.

Coach Jacobson

3/12 update

Braves,

We have a fairly busy week coming up so be sure to read all the information. This email will be short given the crazy weekend we’re all having. Also daylight saving has taken a toll on me.

We have had a solid two weeks of practice, but there is clearly room for improvement for each of us. You have put in some great work, and we love the effort that we have been seeing. Where we can improve is in our mental strength. We have to be prepared for tough days and a lot of races. We can’t have any easy days. Even on days where we aren’t going as hard as others, we have to put in the quality effort that makes us better, rather than taking it easy.

Our first race is on Thursday at Woods Cross. The meet begins at 3 PM and we will get there well before so we have time to get set up, warmed up, and prepared to race. I will let you know what time you are excused and when the bus is leaving. There was rumor that we might not have a bus given that it is so close, but I will find that out and get back to you by Tuesday at the latest.

Talk to your coaches about what events you should do. Plan on competing in at least 3 events. Preferably 4. We are using this meet to get better, so plan on competing hard and leaving exhausted.

You WILL NOT be allowed to compete on Thursday if you have not completed “register my athlete” and paid your fees in the office. I have a list of both, and will be checking it daily. Here is the link to register my athlete http://registermyathlete.com/schools/ You need a physical, and the paperwork for that can be printed from that site or can be picked up in the office.

Uniform checkout will be on Tuesday and Wednesday in my classroom after practice. Come one of those days to get your uniform.

Let me know if you have any questions. Be ready to get after each day this week. Less than two months until region, so we have to take full advantage of each workout. Thanks for all your hard work.

Coach Jacobson

3/5 update

Braves,

This is the update that I will send out each week which often gives a recap of the week as well as some announcements. Some weeks the emails are longer than others, but there is always important information in them.

To begin with, I cannot believe the first week of outdoor season is already past. We only have 2 months before region. That may sound like a long time, but when you factor in spring break, meets, and weekends, we really don’t have much time to get ready for region and state. We have a lot to do before then before we can have the conversation about winning any titles. Our first meet is 3/16 @ Woods Cross, then our first state qualifying meet is on 3/21 (girls) and 3/22 (boys). There are two ways to qualify for the state meet: by time or by placing in the top for at the region meet. Everyone’s goal should be to work towards the qualifying standards. To find out the qualifying mark for each event please refer to our website. There is also a schedule on the website that can even be synced to your phone calendar should you feel so inclined. The calendar as the dates, places, and beginning times. I believe I made it so there are not any reminders so you won’t get any annoying alerts or notifications, but it will be available for quick reference. Here is a link to our website www.bravestrack.blogspot.com

We are thrilled with how many of you came to the meeting and have been coming to practice this week. I cannot overstate the importance of a single practice. With such short time to prepare we have to make sure that we are getting better with every practice. I am very happy with how positive our group has been thus far. There has been a good energy and great effort each day and that’s exactly what we want each day – that is the culture that we want to create on this team. Attitudes are contagious, for better or worse, so keep spreading the right kind of attitude every day. Of course there are going to be times when people aren’t being positive on any given day, so as their teammates it’s on you to support them and get them going in the right direction. Don’t let negativity sway you, but take the opportunity positively influence them. If we can do that, then I can guarantee that you will leave each practice better than when you came in.

Though this was a short week we were able to put in some hard work. I was impressed with how determined the group was to not just survive each workout, but to dominate the workouts. We have some new faces on our team, it was great to see you out there giving a maximum effort. Gracie, Emma B., and Jared M., are three that really stood out to me this week on what it means to be there every day and give a full effort. They are new to Bountiful Track & Field but they fit right in with how they go about practices.

Something that bears repeating from the meeting is each individuals contribution to the team. I had several people express reserved interest in being on the team because they were worried about being slow or not very good. One person even said they would be holding the team back with how slow they are. What each of us needs to understand is that your contribution to this team has very little to do with how talented a runner you are, particularly when you begin. Your contribution is measured by your consistent commitment, hard work, and your attitude. If you can do those things you will have been a benefit to our team and program. We are more concerned about the improvement that each of you makes than where you are to begin with.

A few announcements for this upcoming week. Remember that if you choose to order clothes (it is completely optional) that I need your order, and a receipt by Monday’s practice. I prefer you leave it in my box in the office rather than bringing to practice so that they are all in one place. I have attached the form here in case anyone lost theirs.

Second, each of you will need to go on to “register my athlete” and register for track & field. http://registermyathlete.com/schools/

Select your state, school, and either log in or create an account. For those of you who have done a sport at BHS before you should already have an account so all you need to do is log in and select the sport. This registration process will also call for you to get a physical. The physical is good for one year. If you got one for a sport earlier this year then you are good for this season. If you need to get one set an appointment ASAP because this must be done before you can compete. I have a list of everyone who has completed the registration process and cannot allow you on the bus or issue you a uniform if it is not completed. The physical form that you need is on the site and should be printed off and taken with you to the appointment for the doctor to fill out and sign. Let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks for all you are doing to make our team better. It is going to be an exciting season. This upcoming week is our last pre-season training week so be ready to get after it. Bring your spikes every day just in case, and bring warm clothes in case the Utah weather goes crazy on us. Let’s get better this week.

Coach Jacobson