The Keystone Heights Jr/Sr High School track and field team is gearing up for another exciting season. With a strong group of returning athletes and promising new additions, the team is ready to take on their competition and achieve their goals. I had the opportunity to sit down with Coach Austin Hawthorne and get a preview of what we can expect from the team this year.
The top returning players from last season include Jamari Turner, Hunter Sheppard, James Thomas, Ryeland Wahl, Luke Lewis, Christine Djavaheri, Olivia Griffin, Kaylee Park, Cali Chamberlain, and Kenslee Philips. These athletes have shown dedication, hard work, and a desire to achieve great things. They will be the key players to watch this season and have the potential to make a significant impact on the team's success.
When asked about the overall goal for this season, Coach Hawthorne shared that the team's primary focus is to place in the top three at the district championship. This is a realistic goal, considering the team's strong performance last season. In addition, Coach Hawthorne emphasized the importance of academic eligibility for all athletes. The team takes their academics seriously and strives to maintain their eligibility while excelling on the track.
As for new players making an immediate impact, Coach Hawthorne is excited about the new additions to the team. He mentioned that the team has been able to revitalize a dying program at KHHS with the help of some new coaches and motivated athletes. The new players to look out for this season include Clark Byrnes, Mason Clark, Baylor Ford, Judah Moses, Dereon Tochterman, Aaron Wiley, Trase Wooden, Xana Briley, Laura Herndon, Ashly McCarthy, and Alexi VanNordstrand.
When it comes to selecting team captains, Coach Hawthorne looks for qualities such as humility, decisiveness, dedication, confidence, effective communication, accountability, and leading by example. This year's team captains are Hunter Sheppard and Christine Djavaheri, but Coach Hawthorne expects all of his athletes to be leaders on and off the track. The team culture is built on accountability and teamwork, which helps foster a strong sense of camaraderie among the athletes.
Preparing for this season has not been without its challenges. According to Coach Hawthorne, one of the biggest challenges has been getting all of the athletes to turn in their clearance paperwork. But he also mentioned the challenge of balancing pushing athletes to reach their potential while also ensuring they do not progress too quickly and risk injury. Another challenge has been changing the mindset of the team and building a winning culture. However, Coach Hawthorne is confident in his coaching style and the team's ability to overcome these challenges.
The team's schedule for this season is looking solid, with a mix of competitive and developmental meets. Coach Hawthorne believes that this schedule will allow all athletes to have the opportunity to excel and also give them an insight into their progress and room for improvement. The team will face some tough opponents, but Coach Hawthorne believes that these challenging meets will motivate the team to work harder and strive for success.
When it comes to the mental aspect of the game, Coach Hawthorne emphasized its importance in track and field, and in life. He believes in constantly improving his coaching skills and staying up-to-date with the latest research and techniques. He also mentioned the importance of self-reflection and analyzing his coaching philosophy at the end of each season to make necessary adjustments for the next season.
In terms of changes or improvements to the team's training and conditioning program, Coach Hawthorne mentioned that having a solid group of returning athletes has allowed him to implement some more advanced and effective methods. He also highlighted the importance of having a strong support system in the athletes' upbringing, which helps build their character and work ethic.
The team's strengths lie in their dedication, hard work, and team chemistry. Coach Hawthorne attributes these qualities to the athletes' upbringing and their willingness to support and lift each other up. However, he also mentioned that the team's weakness is their lack of experience in certain events. But with a strong group of returning athletes and new additions, Coach Hawthorne is confident that the team can overcome this weakness and continue to improve throughout the season.
Coach Hawthorne's coaching philosophy is centered around building a winning mindset and fostering a strong team culture. He believes that success is the easiest way to keep the team motivated and working towards their goals. He also emphasized the importance of balancing pushing the athletes to reach their potential while also ensuring their safety and well-being.
In conclusion, the Keystone Heights Jr/Sr High School track and field team is ready to take on the challenges of this season. With a strong group of returning athletes, promising new additions, and a dedicated coaching staff, the team is determined to achieve its goal of placing in the top three at the district championship. With a focus on team chemistry, mental toughness, and continuous improvement, the team is poised for a successful season. We wish them all the best and look forward to seeing their hard work pay off on the track.
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