Tony's Take 15: Transition From Track To Cross Country

Track My Speed Track Club led by Abe Jones make 2014 track's last stand in Houston for USATF JO Nationals (Abe Jones photo)

The summer of 2014 has been moving at such a steady pace that I have started to notice the “back to school” clothing ads. Uh oh…

For all intent and purpose this is the final week of track and field for 2014 (well maybe next weekend for a few AAU heads) as the IAAF World Junior Championships and USATF Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships. The World Junior meet will be in the same location as the Junior National meet- Eugene, Oregon. The Junior Olympic meet will take place in Humble, Texas (just outside of Houston).

I had the great fortune of competing in a few Junior Olympic competitions as an athlete and coach. Let me start by saying as an athlete while it was fun running and competing against rivals and friends in an environment that was less intense than the high school season, the fire to be the best was still there. Back in my competition days it was called TAC (The Athletics Congress). Let me tell you that it wasn’t easy juggling summer league baseball, summer track, and cross country training? Did I forget to mention a social life? Yes, it was like performing a 40-hour per week job. I would not have done it any differently… oh the good old days.

As a coach it is a time to unwind a bit and reflect on many positive accomplishments from the entire running year calendar. Several colleagues of mine have chosen to give up their summers and coach a hardy group of kids. Now the reward for them is a weeklong trip to Houston.  Harris County in which the 2.1 million inhabitants dwell is a place with a lot to do. I have been to Houston twice and each time I enjoyed the trip like it was my last. Since I love politics and sports Houston is the perfect mix. There a ton of presidential sites (mostly Bush) to visit as well as major league football, baseball, and basketball sites to view. Don’t forget about the 350 parks around town too!

I had an opportunity to conduct a follow up interview with Chicago native and Texas A&M University superstar Shamier Little last week.  If you didn’t see the interview here it is: http://il.milesplit.com/articles/131493-shamier-little-the-first-season-aftermath#.U8_Oi7HeP1g  Shamier is rooming with friendly rival Kendall Baisden from the University of Texas. Baisden will be running the 400m and Little is entered in the 400 Hurdles. Both girls are expected to medal well for Team USA. In addition, they are both in the 4x4 relay pool. “I think I’m going to be the first leg in the finals,” Little added.
 

Defending 3A state champion Hinsdale Central boys will be a big factor this fall as will their perennially tough girls (Steven Koch photo)

Cross country season is just around the corner and I have been putting together the upcoming three-class season previews. I am very excited about the New Year that will officially usher in the 2014-2015 school year next month. Let me tell you that we have something sweet and dandy in store for you all. I am not going to let the cat out of the bag on the finishing product, but I will tell you that I am going to release a teaser this weekend after the Junior Olympic and Junior World meet is over.

In the meantime check out the first unofficial cross country experience of the season known as the Detweiller at Dark meet: http://www.detweilleratdark.com/

Stay tuned for more goodies!