Coaches Corner

Memoirs from 2008-2009

Wickenburg Multi - March 04, 2009:  "We had a great opening meet even with the introduction of the wind this week. We had good success in our placing and times for the “rookies” in their first ever meet, and our “veterans” did well to win, lead the way, and even ran a few PB’s (personal bests). I was impressed and so were the kids and they knew already before I told them on Thursday afterwards that they have to get faster and better against schools our size and bigger. Speaking of bigger, this is our biggest team in years with lots of ‘youngsters.’"

Scottsdale Distance Classic - April 3, 2009:  "They all ran well despite the windy conditions, which weren’t too bad when the 3200 rolled around. The guys were all close together the whole time which Criston’s fast start caught the other three “veterans” by surprise. Bentley had a dramatic kick at the end to pass them all with Chase and [Runner 6] there at the finish also. Viviana once again led this race but since it was her first two mile of the season had to drop off the pace around the 5th lap. She would rather lead than let someone else set the pace, but she ran a PB and qualified for the state meet. Phoebe ran a phenomenal race from the get go having a dramatic improvement of her last PB not being intimidated by the 50 or so other girls in the race. This meet is always fun, maybe that’s why they call it “classic.""

Estrella Foothills Invite - April 25, 2009:  "This was a big meet with several 4A and 5A schools, and 7 of the schools that finished ahead of the boys were all 4A and 5A. We were missing some kids due to prom but the youngsters performed well when they received their chance. Throwing freshmen to the “wolves” is what you can call it, but we did have some big guns there that rose to the occasion. Wyatt and Shane had PB’s and brought home medals and now should be in the State Meet. We had those that had PB’s and placed further down in the standings and scored points (Killer, Hyett,) and many that recorded PB’s (Macias, A. Conley, Prevost, Barnes, Molina, B. Conley, Crissman, Roberts) and did not place among the top 8 in their event. The 4 x 100 team were 3 freshmen and another “rookie” and made the top 13 gaining experience for their future!
        The girls just like the guys had medal winners (Ruiz, Grantham,), placers and PB’s, (Blakeley, 4 x 100, 4 x 400), and those that hit PB’s ([Runner 2], Coronado, Bernal, Martin,) but did not score points. Eight of the twelve girls that competed are freshman going against upperclassmen and they performed well. If they stick with it we could move up in the standings in this field or anywhere in a year or so."

West Regionals @ Sedona - May 9, 2009:  "It was a pretty good day with lots of PB’s, 12 individual State Qualifiers, 4 relay teams now in the State Meet, and 4 Individual REGIONAL Champions! The kids did well and performed up to the expectations and beyond. Coach Brenda Leavitt had her throwers ready, first Benito surprises everybody and then Wyatt finishes it off. Lee and Lucy made it into the state meet, while Tanner, Carlos, and Shayna all did very well also! Viviana was a big surprise coming from behind in the 800, and that girls’ 4 x 1 just keeps getting faster and faster. The guys 4 x 4 improved again as did the 4 x 1 and the 4 x 800 to make into the big meet next week. We had a few other surprises as Shane snuck in there in the 200 after Tim came in “under the radar” in the 400, and then Chase nails the kid from Sedona in the final lap to make it in the 3200. It was a day of don’t give up and keep pluggin’ away and see what happens. Now it’s in with all the best kids in the state next weekend at Mesa High School and a chance for a state medal!”"