Thursday, February 24, 2011
Warming up at Iowa State
Taking some time to get loose and work out at Iowa State in preparation for the MVC Championships on Saturday.
On the way to Iowa
The Shocker track & field team is on their way to Iowa and the Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Championships. This is what has greeted us...
Even with the snowfall the Shockers spirits are high as they look to defend their indoor conference titles!!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Live updates from the MVC Indoor Championships! Feb 26-27
Shocker Track and Field Media Relations Director Mike Zucconi will be blogging live from the MVC Indoor Championships this weekend Feb 26-27 at Northern Iowa University. If you can't be at the meet this will be the next best thing! He will be able to give special insights throughout the competition as to how the Shockers are doing in their march towards defending their titles from last year. If you have any questions during the blog forward them to Mike at mzucconi@goshockers.com.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
WSU Track update
by Kirk Hunter, WSU Cross Country and Distance Coach
In my anticipation to the upcoming Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Championships, I cannot help but reflect on the season that we have had so far. This is an amazing team of individuals, led by their leader Coach Rainbolt. I have enjoyed getting to know more of the team each day, and look forward to learning more about those that I watch compete every week. Audacia Moore is amazing. Her performances on the track can only be outdone by the person she seems to be off the track. The multi group, (which I will talk more about later) seem to be a family in itself, and competes at the highest level every time they step on the track. Dylan Hartnett continues to impress me with his 400/4 x 4 performances, while Jennifer Taylor has that ‘fire’ in her eyes when she lets loose on each of her races!!! There are sooo many more to mention, but not enough room to get it done here!!! What I enjoy most is the personalities; this team is full of them. I appreciate how the team has welcomed me in to their track family and how pleasant they are to talk to in person, but also how ferocious they are as competitors.
So far this season I have had the opportunity to coach at Nebraska, and two home track meets. I love track and field, every event, so to me, this is like a vacation each time out. I always enjoyed coaching the multi event groups, the throwers, and (and obviously the distance group!), so it has been nice to watch these athletes compete and practice day in and day out. WSU has some outstanding multi/hurdlers to say the least!! When they step on the track, look out! I also enjoy working with this staff. Coach Yost has unlimitless energy, which she showed me when I tried to keep up with her shoveling/raking pits at our home meet!! Coach Wise keeps us up to date on everything, conference standings, upcoming meets, recruiting, etc., etc., etc. Since I coached throws for 22 years, I really enjoy watching Coach Hetzendorf coach the throws group. He definitely knows his stuff, and more importantly knows how to pass that knowledge on to his athletes. I wish I would have known all the things he does all those years I coached the throwers! I also like watching Coach Wilson with the pole vaulters when I can. Thanks to him, our WSU women vaulters achieved some major vaults at our home meet last weekend. I like how he is laid back, but when it comes to competition, he expects people to compete! Obviously his style is working. Leading us all is Coach Rainbolt. He keeps things rolling the right direction. His expectation for his team are the same as ours, do what you can to be ready for conference, and give your best in everything you do. He supports everyone who is willing to put up the good fight. He expects excellence in the classroom, on the track, and in life, from everyone, what more can you ask.
Last, but definitely not least is my distance group. The ladies keep rolling along. They are such a wonderful group, and always try to do everything I ask them to do, even the “little things” that lead to any success we may ever have. If you ever talk to one of these ladies, you would see an individual who is humble, but when that gun goes off, will simply run you in the ground if they can!!! I LOVE their incredible desire to do what it takes to become the best they can be. Our men are no different. We have some very talented men on our team, and every person here will work their best to improve their performances. Sickness has hurt us a little recently, but if we maintain and do everything in our power to be ready, we will be an impact at conference!
This week we go to Iowa State with the ‘track’ people, while the field event people go to Air Force. It is considered a very big week for us. I expect big things from my group, and so do they. This leads us into conference, and hopefully puts us where we need to be. I have never been one to get too excited about any early season meets, but when we get to the ‘big’ ones, I change!!!! I have high expectations from my group, as do they. Tradition is important, and WSU has a tradition of being the best. I love being a part of that, and plan on doing my part to keep that tradition alive.
In my anticipation to the upcoming Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Championships, I cannot help but reflect on the season that we have had so far. This is an amazing team of individuals, led by their leader Coach Rainbolt. I have enjoyed getting to know more of the team each day, and look forward to learning more about those that I watch compete every week. Audacia Moore is amazing. Her performances on the track can only be outdone by the person she seems to be off the track. The multi group, (which I will talk more about later) seem to be a family in itself, and competes at the highest level every time they step on the track. Dylan Hartnett continues to impress me with his 400/4 x 4 performances, while Jennifer Taylor has that ‘fire’ in her eyes when she lets loose on each of her races!!! There are sooo many more to mention, but not enough room to get it done here!!! What I enjoy most is the personalities; this team is full of them. I appreciate how the team has welcomed me in to their track family and how pleasant they are to talk to in person, but also how ferocious they are as competitors.
So far this season I have had the opportunity to coach at Nebraska, and two home track meets. I love track and field, every event, so to me, this is like a vacation each time out. I always enjoyed coaching the multi event groups, the throwers, and (and obviously the distance group!), so it has been nice to watch these athletes compete and practice day in and day out. WSU has some outstanding multi/hurdlers to say the least!! When they step on the track, look out! I also enjoy working with this staff. Coach Yost has unlimitless energy, which she showed me when I tried to keep up with her shoveling/raking pits at our home meet!! Coach Wise keeps us up to date on everything, conference standings, upcoming meets, recruiting, etc., etc., etc. Since I coached throws for 22 years, I really enjoy watching Coach Hetzendorf coach the throws group. He definitely knows his stuff, and more importantly knows how to pass that knowledge on to his athletes. I wish I would have known all the things he does all those years I coached the throwers! I also like watching Coach Wilson with the pole vaulters when I can. Thanks to him, our WSU women vaulters achieved some major vaults at our home meet last weekend. I like how he is laid back, but when it comes to competition, he expects people to compete! Obviously his style is working. Leading us all is Coach Rainbolt. He keeps things rolling the right direction. His expectation for his team are the same as ours, do what you can to be ready for conference, and give your best in everything you do. He supports everyone who is willing to put up the good fight. He expects excellence in the classroom, on the track, and in life, from everyone, what more can you ask.
Last, but definitely not least is my distance group. The ladies keep rolling along. They are such a wonderful group, and always try to do everything I ask them to do, even the “little things” that lead to any success we may ever have. If you ever talk to one of these ladies, you would see an individual who is humble, but when that gun goes off, will simply run you in the ground if they can!!! I LOVE their incredible desire to do what it takes to become the best they can be. Our men are no different. We have some very talented men on our team, and every person here will work their best to improve their performances. Sickness has hurt us a little recently, but if we maintain and do everything in our power to be ready, we will be an impact at conference!
This week we go to Iowa State with the ‘track’ people, while the field event people go to Air Force. It is considered a very big week for us. I expect big things from my group, and so do they. This leads us into conference, and hopefully puts us where we need to be. I have never been one to get too excited about any early season meets, but when we get to the ‘big’ ones, I change!!!! I have high expectations from my group, as do they. Tradition is important, and WSU has a tradition of being the best. I love being a part of that, and plan on doing my part to keep that tradition alive.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Rolling along in January!
By sprints/hurdles coach/recruiting coordinator John Wise
Well, we have just finished our 2nd indoor meet of the season and while we still have a long way to go we are starting to see what kinds of teams we have this year.
Well, we have just finished our 2nd indoor meet of the season and while we still have a long way to go we are starting to see what kinds of teams we have this year.
It appears our women are going to be very good. Every event group looks better than last year. We didn’t graduate many points from last year (so that’s what we were hoping for) but you never know until the season gets rolling. We think the MVC is going to be a battle with Southern Illinois again and this year we feel more confident than last year (and we won the MVC Indoor title last year). Our women easily won our first meet against Sam Houston St, Oral Roberts, and Emporia St and this past weekend beat Alabama, Missouri, Houston, and Air Force while losing to #12 ranked Nebraska. It was an impressive showing for our ladies and they appear to be coming together as a strong team earlier than we imagined.
The men’s team is a different story but we are hoping for the same result. Unlike the women, we did graduate several of our top performers last year. We felt like we had athletes ready to step in and replace many of those points we lost. We still do feel that way but it looks like it’s taking a little longer to develop than the women’s team. Also we’ve had some unfortunate injuries and tweaks along the way so our men’s team is not at 100% right now. The upcoming off weekend should get some of our key guys back into action by our Feb 4-5 home meet. Everything we are doing as a team is gearing towards the MVC Championships 5 weeks away – so we have time, but we don’t have any time to waste. Indiana State is looking very good in the early season and Northern Iowa and Southern Illinois appear to be strong again as well. We are hoping to make it a 4-team race – remember last year our men were picked 4th in the MVC pre-meet poll and won by almost 30 points.
Up in the office we are recruiting hard. The NCAA signing period begins in early February and we’ve received several verbal commitments that should sign in a couple weeks. Just today we had six recruits on campus in six different events, and I know at least one of those recruits reads this blog on a regular basis. J Other than that it’s just your typical 60-hour work weeks and getting home at 2:30am from long bus rides!
On the recruiting subject – check out our new Virtual Media Guide. There are several Shocker stars making cameo appearances in pop-up videos throughout the guide. You can access it through Goshockers.com or click here à http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/384031e7?SPSID=591033&SPID=2843&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=7500#/384031e7/1
Personally, I am really proud of our women’s 4x400m relay, breaking a 5-year old school record this past weekend in winning the adidas Classic. In the past couple years we have won MVC titles in the men’s 4x1, 4x4 and women’s 4x1 but our women’s 4x4 has struggled to reach that level. This year looks to be very different and our depth in that event is a key ingredient to their success. Practices have been very intense and they have pulled together with a common vision. Look for this group to challenge for that title this year!
Hopefully everyone is having a great start to the New Year! Let’s go Shocks!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
The 2011 Indoor Season is Upon Us
by Jumps Coach Heidi Yost
January! This means a lot of different things to people… a new year, a new beginning, a time to make changes, to make resolutions and for some… to break those resolutions… but for the athletes at Wichita State competing in track and field, January is the beginning of the Indoor Season. This is when the athletes of the Wichita State Track and Field program get to see their conditioning and specific preparation start to pay off. I can see and feel the excitement building amongst the wonderfully talented men and women on this team. They compete for the first time this year in a Wichita State uniform January 12th and 13th in the Heskett Center at Wichita State.
January! This means a lot of different things to people… a new year, a new beginning, a time to make changes, to make resolutions and for some… to break those resolutions… but for the athletes at Wichita State competing in track and field, January is the beginning of the Indoor Season. This is when the athletes of the Wichita State Track and Field program get to see their conditioning and specific preparation start to pay off. I can see and feel the excitement building amongst the wonderfully talented men and women on this team. They compete for the first time this year in a Wichita State uniform January 12th and 13th in the Heskett Center at Wichita State.
There is still work to do and goals to strive for even though the competitive season is getting under-way. These athletes will continue to train… to master their technique because they know how hard it is to win a Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Championship. A few inches, that’s all that separates the winners from the runner-ups. I have seen the sweat of dedication beading on these athletes’ foreheads. I have seen the agony and frustration that an injury causes and the joy and triumph of recovery. These Shockers know that now is not the time to back off, in fact, they’re ready to step it up, to focus in on every competitor they stand next to. These athletes know how to compete; they know what it takes to battle in a two-day war at the end of February.
As one of the coaches, I’m excited to watch the Shockers compete. I’m ready for all the challenges and rewards that come with the competitive season. I’m waiting for the nervousness to get to me when a WSU Shocker steps onto the runway or into the throwing ring, gets set in the blocks or at the starting line or attempts a bar that’s a PR. I’m ready for the 2011 Indoor Season!
The Shockers meet schedule can be found on goshockers.com, please come support our Championship Program!!
Monday, December 20, 2010
A little of this, a little of that
By Sprints/Hurdles Coach John Wise
I wanted to touch on several topics here, hopefully there is something for everyone …
First of all, we had our annual Intersquad Meet on December 10th. It turned out to be a great way to open up our season! Looking through the results it appears our athletes have done a solid job of training in the fall and if we continue to do our job we can have a successful indoor season. It was a close competition but the “White” squad won their first ever team title, edging out the “Gold” team 151-137 with the “Black” team in 3rd and “Gray” alumni in 4th. Several meet records were broken and fun was had by all!
We are now on what is considered to be “Winter Break” for the track and field teams. Our sport is very unusual in that we practice all fall then take about a month off before our first track meet. Obviously this time isn’t exactly “off” as the athletes are encouraged to train very hard over this time to be ready for the upcoming indoor season.
This time of the year can really make or break the season for an athlete. All of the coaches can recount numerous times where we’ve had athletes not do what they needed to do over the Winter Break and struggle throughout the indoor season. Last year our team did a terrific job training during the holidays and the result was sweeping the men’s and women’s indoor MVC titles!
While distance runners are fairly used to running in cold temperatures, sprinters/jumpers/throwers have a tougher time. Often these athletes are hustling around trying to find an indoor area to train or just toughing it out in the often cold and snowy outdoor conditions. One of the better stories is of Chris Dickman and Jordan Zerr shoveling off an entire lane at their high school track to do a workout (pictured below). While it may seem extreme, Chris earned all-American honors last year indoor and Jordan had by far his best year as a Shocker. Coincidence?
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| Dickman and Zerr's hard work paid off - this is crazy right? |
Changing subjects, last week our coaching staff went to the annual US Track Coaches Association Convention. This year was in San Antonio (last year was Orlando). This convention has multiple purposes: 1) This is where the coaches get together to talk about, and often argue, about rule changes and other things that affect our sport. How to qualify for the NCAA meet is always a topic and this year was no different. Just so you know, the two site preliminary we had last year appears to be what we’re going to have for several years down the road. 2) Attend seminars and clinics held by the top track coaches around the county (and sometimes the world). I always come away learning a little bit and also feeling like we are on the right track and Wichita State. 3) A chance to socialize with our fellow coaches and friends without the pressure of being at a track meet. Most of our best friends are coaches that we usually only see at meets and it was great hang out and catch up with everyone! 4) Have fun! Myself, Coach Yost, and Coach Hetzendorf went down the giant water slide at our hotel 20 times!
We are very fired up about the upcoming indoor season at Wichita State! At the time of writing this blog, we have 23 days until the Herm Wilson Invitational at the Heskett Center! We’re excited to have a quality field of teams including Tulsa, Oral Roberts, Sam Houston State, and Emporia to compete against. It should be a great way to start the season! Go Shockers!!!
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