As the spring season approaches, all eyes are on the Lincoln County High School track and field team. With the goal of competing for the regional championship in both the girls' and boys' divisions, the team is gearing up for an exciting and challenging season. To get a preview of what's to come, we spoke with Coach Parker Martin about the team's top returning players, new additions, and his coaching style.
Coach Martin wasted no time in highlighting the team's top returning players from last season. For the boys' team, he mentioned Mekhi Wade, Kelby Glaze, Jonathan Norman, Christian Crite, and Gavin Claxton. These athletes were all qualifiers for the state track meet in the previous season, showing their dedication and talent.
On the girls' side, Coach Martin mentioned Madison Collier, Kenya Jones, Syriah Hogan, Nyjera Lockhart, Mary Claire Matthews, and McKenzie Curry as the top returning players. Like their male counterparts, these girls also qualified for the state track meet in the previous season, showcasing their skills and potential.
Coach Martin also emphasized that all of these returning players have a strong work ethic and a drive to succeed, making them special and valuable assets to the team.
The team has also welcomed some new faces this season that Coach Martin believes will make an immediate impact. For the boys' team, he mentioned Mekhi Wade, Kelby Glaze, Jonathan Norman, Christian Crite, and Gavin Claxton. These athletes were all qualifiers for the state track meet in the previous season, showing their dedication and talent.
On the girls' side, Coach Martin mentioned Madison Collier, Kenya Jones, Syriah Hogan, Nyjera Lockhart, Mary Claire Matthews, and McKenzie Curry as the top returning players. Like their male counterparts, these girls also qualified for the state track meet in the previous season, showcasing their skills and potential.
Team captains play a crucial role in the success of any team, and Coach Martin has high standards for selecting captains. He looks for athletes who display discipline, consistency, and effort on and off the field. Currently, Aiden Jones, Travis Franklin, and Ashtyn Farr are serving as captains or are in the running for the role.
Team chemistry and camaraderie are essential for a successful team, and Coach Martin has a plan to foster a strong sense of unity among his players. One of the key ingredients, according to Coach Martin, is having a common purpose. He believes that by working together to represent their school, community, and talents given to them by the Lord, the team will naturally develop a strong bond.
As with any sport, pushing oneself to their full potential is crucial for success in track and field. Coach Martin motivates his players by emphasizing the importance of giving their best effort and representing their school and community with pride. He also acknowledges the challenges of having to share athletes with other spring sports but believes that by working together, the team can achieve great things.
Preparing for a new season always comes with its challenges, and Coach Martin is well aware of that. With many athletes being shared among different sports, it can be challenging to have everyone at practice at the same time. However, Coach Martin and his staff prioritize taking care of their athletes and making sure they know that they are valued, which ultimately leads to great effort from the team.
The team has a tough schedule ahead, facing strong opponents in their region. They will be opening the season with two invitational meets, one of which they will be hosting on March 14th. They will also be facing a tough Warren County team on March 22nd, which Coach Martin believes will be stiff competition for the regional title.
When asked if his coaching style differs from previous seasons, Coach Martin explained that while the opponents and team dynamics may change, the recipe for success remains the same. He believes in treating all opponents with respect and not underestimating anyone. This mindset has proven successful for the team in the past, and Coach Martin plans to continue with it this season.
Coach Martin also emphasized the importance of the mental aspect of the game in track and field. With both team and individual events, it can be a mentally challenging sport. However, he believes that every failure is an opportunity to learn, improve, and grow. This mindset helps the team to stay motivated and focused on their goals.
Coach Martin shared that one of the team's goals this season is to improve their distance running. To achieve this, they have made changes to their training and conditioning program, incorporating some athletes from more conditioning-based sports. This addition has already shown improvement in the team's overall performance, and Coach Martin is excited to see how it will continue to benefit the team.
Every team has its strengths and weaknesses, and Coach Martin believes that the team's strength lies in their work ethic and dedication. However, he also acknowledges that distance running has been a struggle for the team in the past. By incorporating new training methods and athletes, they hope to improve upon this weakness and become a more well-rounded team.
Coach Martin's coaching philosophy is all about "feeding the cats." This means that he focuses on individual talent and strengths, rather than trying to force all athletes into a specific mold. He believes that by encouraging and nurturing each athlete's natural abilities, the team will achieve success collectively.
Overall, the Lincoln County High School track and field team is in good hands with Coach Parker Martin at the helm. With a strong group of returning players, talented newcomers, and a dedicated coaching staff, they are well on their way to achieving their goal of competing for the regional championship. The team's hard work, determination, and unity are sure to make for an exciting and successful season.
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