The recipe for success is not grandma's soft baked cookies and milk... but rather blood, sweat, and tears
Here are BSide's ingredients to The Recipe:
Talent/Hosses- A great championship squad needs those one or two hosses that can carry the load when called upon. That guy that is 'The Man" not just in the state, but Period! A Closer! That person that when a debate comes up its shut down with the statement "But who was gonna beat...?" "Who did you have that matched up with...?" In this case that person is superstar senior Jamari Ward.
Togetherness- Cahokia appears to be on the same page regardless of the meet. You can thank Coach Leroy Millsap and his staff for that. Coach runs a tight ship and that's a huge reason for their success.
Attitude- Cahokia has a killer mentality. They're Always Hungry! There are a lot of races they could win easily and shut it down. But I've seen the 1986 and 1992 Decatur MacArthur team look in their eyes. They will keep their foot on your throat and get the win and open the gap even more to separate themselves from their opponents in the process.
Swag/Confidence- Cahokia has that "we've come here for business personality." They let the media do the talking for them. There are some teams that talk a lot or make bold predictions but then can't live up to it. I hear it all the time where I live.The Comanches stay off to themselves and when they win it's expected, not hoped for. They've got that quiet swag of a shark. You know the shark is in the water, and if you get too close the shark will let you know you just messed up!
Work Ethic- Coach Millsap and his staff has put in Major Work! If he didn't, Cahokia couldn't do what they do. Period! There's no aisle at Walmart where you can buy work ethic. It's a must to be a championship team. Most teams don't have it.
Commitment- Cahokia has Commitment to Excellence! You count the state team titles. "Champions do things contenders don't want to do" (one of my personal favorite quotes I always say). Coach Millsap has gotten the team to buy into what he wants. And it's not just this year, but every year. The younger guys come in already knowing what is expected.
Depth- Cahokia has depth! Championship teams have that. Coach Millsap has the same mentality I have as a coach." I never rebuild, I reload" (another BSide quote). I like how he puts the younger guys in big meet situations vs other teams best squads. Even if they should lose, they've gained valuable experience that can be used down the line when Cahokia vets are gone. Isn't it funny no matter who leaves Cahokia, Coach Millsap has another one already lined up.
Health- Cahokia has injuries just like any other team, but they cover it up better because of their team depth. How many records have they set/broken and one or two of their best men weren't even on the relay team? If that happens to most teams, they're done.
I'm impressed, have been for awhile. People who really know me, know I don't impress easily. A lot of teams could learn from Coach Millsap and the Cahokia Comanches.
Shout out to Morolake Akinosun (Texas) as she became the ONLY woman to win three straight 100m titles at the Texas Relays and her 11.07 is currently #1 in the world. Also shouts to Savannah Carson (Purdue) who took second. It may be called the Texas Relays, but in the women' s Century dash it was IL high school greats in a 1,2 finish!