Coach Mikes Blog

in Salem Wildcats Track by coach mike on 31 Mar 2011

Setting up the O’Fallon relay’s is as much fun as a poke in the eye with sharp stick! Where do we put our people where we might score some points? Not the sprint relays for sure! Maybe the sprint medley and the distance medley. Well could be very interesting. I have almost every spot filled out except for I need one more hurdler for 4×110 shuttle. Well I do have some kids in some spot they wouldn’t be thrilled about but they will get over it. Its April fools tomorrow, so it time for Rose to run a 800 in the 4×800 F/S!

in Salem Wildcats Track by coach mike on 26 Mar 2011

We stopped in Champaign to eat some BBQ at Famous Dave’s BBQ and the place closed down first of December! Sad day! I wanted some BBQ!

in Salem Wildcats Track by coach mike on 26 Mar 2011

From where I was sitting the meet seems to have ran very well. Of coarse was behind on the schedule. Had to drop some of the standards to get the numbers up. Crossland placed in the high jump with a clear of 5’11. Just didn’t look real smooth today, needs to work on his approach and a different pairs of shoes. But what I did like and didn’t like-was not ready to go when they called for his event-so he got only one approach. He missed his first two attempts on the opening height, but clear on his last try. So he step up to the pressure, which should help him down the road. Same thing with Hess at the vault, everybody is on the run way, and we are putting our shoes and number tag on, but same with him, he clear the opening height which I think was 12’6. He then had a good try at 13′. Actually the opening height was probably 12′. Bullard didn’t seem to get into the race in his 800, but his time was a lot better than last years time at this meet, so thats encouraging, just need to keep working. Over all a good day, and should lead to better things in the outdoor season. All we need is some good weather!

in Uncategorized by coach mike on 23 Mar 2011

Just to update-this past weekend at the EIU indoor meet, things looked better, I was real pleased with Bullard and Meigs and their 800 times, gives us something to work with. By the end of the season we should be good as long as people stay health. Hess looked good in the vault at 12’6. Brummett had a good 400 but was all we could get out of him. Heser looked better in the 1600 at 4:48. Daniel R i like this kid, others are looking better, still have areas to work on. Later. I did see coach Hargis there a couple of times! Maybe he is back?

in Uncategorized by coach mike on 17 Mar 2011

Where did coach go? Almost twenty years later, is he still there? Somewhere he most be? Lets see if we can find him, I saw him for a few minutes the other day, believe it was Wednesday afternoon. Thought it was him, seem to have a plan, seem to show some fire. Seem to want to teach. Was that him at the hurdles? Or was that him at the 200 meter start. Looked like him for a few fleeing moments. You could see that look in his eyes. Lets make it work. Lets get these kids better.Then he was gone, rushing back to his real job. Not his love, but the job that helped pay the bills. Not that job that made his heart beat faster, that made his eyes sparkle. Does working with youth help keep you young? Coach seems to draw energy from a good practice, you can see that bounce in his step. Hope to see that energy, hope to see that bounce in his step! Need to lift up not drag down! Tough foot steps to follow. Big shoes to fill. Good luck Coach finding Coach!

in Uncategorized by coach mike on 09 Mar 2011

We had a good first meet. Crossland placed 2nd in the high jump with a clear of 6’2. Freshman Chase Mercer placed 4th with a leap of 5’10 in the high jump. Tate tripled 38’11-Oller had a long jump of 19′. The two vaulters went 12′-Tyler Jourdan tied the freshman record with the 12′ clear. Good start for Travis Hess with his 12′ clear. Also in the field Andy Meador had a throw of 41’8 in the shot put. So the field events looked good. The track was another story-BULLARD HAD GREAT FIRST MEET ON THE TRACK-A 2:11 SPLIT IN THE 4×800 and then came back with a 2:12 in the open 800. Our two freshmen Miller and Barnfield had good first races in the 1600. And a another new face was Zach Donnie England looked good in the 800 and Burkett was good for his first race with only a week of practice. Lots to work on-lots of work!

in Uncategorized by coach mike on 02 Mar 2011

Saturday is our first indoor meet of the year, can’t believe its time! Here we go-how will things turn out? Will Brummett ran sub 51? Will Crossland clear 6’5, How will the 4×800 run? Only time will tell-get it time!