Tony's Take #17: It's Gumbo Time With Nike Cross Nationals

Oct 16, 2014

Hey folks! It’s been a minute since I actually popped out a written commentary on things. But many of you know how it is when you get bogged down deep into something that you really love. The love this time around happens to be the 2014 cross country season and everything that it encompasses… now let’s talk some serious business!

New changes for Nike Cross Nationals-

I remember when the rumors began circling in early 2003 about the possibility of a true high school national cross country championship. The word on the street had the legendary coach Mr. Joe Newton of the famed York program going out to Portland, Oregon to meet with Nike executives. At the time coach Newton was just a few years removed from teaching and head track and field coach. He also made his winter pilgrimage to Arizona from Elmhurst, Illinois. He had the connections and he had the time to add to the sport.

Many stateside coaches said that if a national championship could be pulled off Mr. Newton is the right spokesperson to get it done. Presto! Later in 2003 the Nike Team Nationals (NTN) was born.

I was in attendance at the inaugural race in 2004 which consisted of 21 boys’ teams and 20 girls’ teams hosted by the Portland Meadows Race Track Association on December 4. What I remember most about the trip was York winning it all. They had to run under the club name Kroy (York spelled backwards and perhaps a proverbial middle finger to the IHSA). York senior Sean McNamara won the individual title for icing on the cake. It obviously was a great feeling of joy among the York camp and I felt a strong sense of state pride. Illinois teams such as Neuqua Valley boys (2007 NXN winner), Naperville North boys and girls, Loyola Academy boys, Hinsdale Central boys, and Palatine girls have all tasted success in Portland.

Now there comes more change to a wildly successful event. As a state ambassador for NXN I am very fortunate to be in the know on the happenings within the event. So as the news begins to cycle out among the masses, here is the official statement from Nike Cross Nationals:

Eleventh Annual Nike Cross Nationals Moves to Glendoveer Golf Course

Athletes to compete for 2014 national championship title on a brand new course

Since 2003 the Nike Cross Nationals has brought the fastest high school cross country

teams and athletes in the country to Portland, Oregon to compete for the ultimate prize

–a national championship.

In its 11th year, the Nike Cross Nationals will be contested for the first time ever at

Glendoveer Golf Course where athletes will dominate an exciting new course. On

December 6th, 2014 the 400 fastest high school runners in the country will race a 5k

course that spans along the pristine, tree-lined fairways and across the rolling terrain

that is indicative of the Pacific Northwest.

The new multi-looped course (left photo) will offer athletes a premium, energy-filled arena to

Become champions.

Additional event and course information can be found at www.nikecrossnationals.com.

Glendoveer Golf Course is located roughly 8 miles from Portland International Airport

And 10 miles from downtown Portland

14015 NE Glisan St, Portland, OR 97230

Additionally, there are a few tidbits regarding the new NXN circumstance that may surface and here is how it will be tackled:

Q: What is the surface like?

A: The new NXN course is run completely on grass except for a small crossing of a wood chip trail

Q: Will there still be hay bales?

A: No, there will be no man-made obstacles added to the race. The natural obstacles are challenging enough.

Q: What is the terrain like?

A: The terrain at Glendoveer is rolling with a few short, step hills and one long climb that is sure to test the athletes’ strength. More information can be found at NikeCrossNationals.com

Team dynamics by Coach Jeff Bryant-

Hi out there to all the Illinois athletes. This week I wanted to talk to you about something that I feel is overlooked and underrated by many coaches. I’m going to share with you some of my opinions and things that have worked for me and other coaches I’ve spoken with about the importance of team dynamics.

There are many important aspects that contribute to the success of a team. Having quality coaching and competent training programs are ideal for any running program that wants to be successful. I believe that team dynamics is the most important of these things because it helps develop an intangible bond amongst teammates.

I believe the best way to develop team dynamics is by empowering the athletes to have stock in the decision making processes. The coach doesn’t and shouldn’t be the only person making decisions about what direction the team is headed. I always consult with my team before I make any decisions that concern them. They may not like my decision I make in the end but I feel that I owe them the respect to at least speak with them. The coach’s job is to help fill the emotional tank of the athletes. Athletes run for many different reasons but when a student spends 10-20+ hours a week with teammates they start to become a family. They see their teammates as comrades in arms.

Successful programs get to know each other and respect their teammates. Teams will develop common goals together that allow them to buy into the culture and the team identity. Making it to state in cross country is a team goal. You can have the best runner in the state but if the other six runners aren’t up for the challenge then that goal can’t be accomplished. That is also why teammates have to learn to depend on each other so that no one person feels isolated from the team. It also holds each person accountable for their actions. Good team dynamics may stop an athlete that is getting ready to make a terrible decision because that person will think how their actions may affect their teammates.

Great teams have a sense of pride. They are not cocky but they believe they can achieve their goals because they believe in the team and what they have worked towards. This is a coach’s job to help set goals and help establish the identity of the team. Great teams constantly push each other to boundaries that otherwise could not be accomplished alone.

Socializing away from running is good for the team. Team dinners are a great idea because it can also get the parents involved in the team as well. I think it allows them to see the coach as a regular person. It allows the teammates to bond outside of practice which many of them might not have the time to do because of busy schedules, age and living in different areas.

Teams that do not possess these qualities will find it hard to rise to the top. They will lack respect for their teammates. The athletes will not race for the team. Cliques will form that will put strain on the team because they will look at each other differently. Athletes have to put aside their egos for the benefit of the team. This takes the focus off of achieving goals and having fun. I write of these things because I have seen them and heard them from friends.

I believe that it is something special when you can take a group of high school students and watch them develop life skills from being on a team. I’ve had the privilege of watching the team I coach grow and develop into something special each year. And for that I thank them.

Thanks for reading. Hopefully you enjoyed my segment. Good luck on conference everybody! Looking forward to seeing some fast times!

Lincoln-Way East High School to host a world class track and field symposium-

There is no doubt that Illinois has risen among the ranks of prep track and field over the past 10 years. In particular, the girls have elevated their marks as a whole nationally. Schools such as Chicago Morgan Park, Evanston, and of course E. St. Louis have been the mainstay since the inception of girls track and field as a scholastic sport. However, in the current era Lincoln-Way East High in Frankfort has been the dominant force. Angelo Brown and Dwayne Pierre-Antoine started out with the Illinois Elite Track Club (still active) teaching pupils the trade of proper running techniques, competition, sportsmanship, and having fun. The tremendous success at the youth level has permeated its way to the high school stage where the Griffins have won the last two Class 3A state titles. Many admirers and haters alike want to know their success.

The front group called “The Anchor Leg Performance” will host a world class track and field symposium Saturday and Sunday October 25 and 26 at Lincoln-Way East High School. Presenters such as esteemed national and Olympic coaches Vince Anderson (Texas A&M) and Lawrence Johnson will be in attendance. Queen Harrison, who is an Olympian 400m Hurdler from the 2008 Olympics will also be a presenter.

Below is the symposium agenda:

Track and Field Symposium Agenda

Saturday, October 25, 2014

8:00-9:00 Presenters Introductions/Dr. Wolfe – Keeping your Athletes In Line

Saturday, October 25, 2014

9:00-10:00 Vince Anderson – Training Acceleration and Sprinting

10:00-11:00 Queen Harrison – The Life of a Pro Track and Field Athlete

11:00-12:00 Lawrence Johnson – Building and Explosive Hurdler

12:00-1:00 Lunch Break

1:00 pm – 2:45 pm Break Out Sessions – Anderson (Sprints/Blocks/Acceleration) Harrison (400 Hurdles) Johnson (60/100/110 High Hurdles)

2:45 pm – 3:00 pm Closing Remarks

Sunday, October 26, 2014