It’s been a busy couple of weeks! After a winter of training, we’ve been immersed in indoor meets, getting the rust out with the first races of the year…and people have done great!
I. News and Announcements
A. Weber State Indoor Meet
On Saturday, January 25, 2025, we had Jeffrey, Lily G, and Evelyn compete at the Weber State Indoor Meet. Jeffrey ran the 3200M and 800M, while Lily G and Evelyn ran in the 1600M. Everyone did great, especially for a first race of the year. Jeffrey won his 3200M heat with an outstanding kick that impressed everyone in the building. Lily G had a great race even though she had been sick all week prior to competing. Evelyn competed in the top heat of the girls 1600M against very fast upperclassmen and ran really well.
The other Northridge athlete who competed at Weber State was Maddie Rynearson, who ran in the 55M hurdles, and came just a couple of spots from the finals.
Full results are available here: https://meettrax.com/meets/441/results/by-event
B. Olympic Oval Indoor Meet
This past weekend, we had a number of athletes compete at the Olympic Oval indoor meet. On the girls side, Evelyn Cook ran in the 1600M again, with Renee Bentley running the 800M and Lily G running the 3200M. All set seasons best, with Renee setting a nearly 20 second PR(!) in the 800M, and Lily G setting a 20 second PR in her 3200M! It was fun to watch them all compete against really stout competition and run so well. Lily’s time is the #5 all-time at Northridge, and only 9 seconds off of the school record!
On the boys side, Aaron Eskelson, Eric Greding, Carson Fershtut, Stephen Bentley, Parker Ewell, and Jeremiah McKean all ran in the 1600M. It was the first race of the year for each of them, and the acquitted themselves very well. Parker, Carson, and Stephen set substantial PRs, and Jeremiah, Aaron, and Eric all had excellent starts to their seasons, especially Eric, who, due to injury, has run less than 10 times since October of last year!
Full results are available here: https://meettrax.com/meets/436/results/by-event
C. REP Distance Challenge (Upcoming)
This Friday, there is another indoor meet at the Olympic Oval in Salt Lake — the REP Distance Challenge. There are races at the following distances: 400M, 800M, 1600M, 3200M. If any of our athletes are interested in competing, please let me know which races you want to run ASAP. Registration closes this coming Thursday, February 6, 2025. Since all the races are run Friday afternoon, it may be difficult to double, but people are welcome to run whatever they want. Athletes who contact me will be registered under the Northridge Track Club name, and the team will pay the entry fee.
The schedule and meet information can be found here: https://meettrax.com/meets/407
D. Simplot Games
Our team is not going to the Simplot Games indoor meet in Idaho. However, athletes are willing to go themselves. They will be responsible for the cost of the trip, lodging, and registration. I spoke to the Layton High coach today, and she told me that she has extra hotel rooms if any of our athletes want to travel to Simplot with the Layton team. We travelled with them for Bob Firman, and they are a great group of coaches and athletes.
The Simplot meet is February 20-22, 2025, and registration closes a week from today, on February 9, 2025. So, if you plan on going, please get signed up and let me know ASAP. You don’t have to travel with the Layton team, but I would like to know who is planning on racing so I can adjust training accordingly.
E. Outdoor Track Parent Meeting
Although it’s hard to believe, outdoor track is around the corner! We have a pre-season parent meeting this coming Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Excalibur Room at Northridge. All interested athletes and parents grades 9-12 are invited to attend. We’ll be discussing the schedule and other essential information for the upcoming season. Please come — AND INVITE FRIENDS! We’re looking forward to seeing everyone!
F. North Layton Distance Coach
We recently became aware that North Layton Junior High is looking for a distance coach for track this year. Their head coach retired at the end of this past year.
We have athletes come to us principally from two schools — Sunset Junior High and North Layton Junior High. It’s vital for our program, but, more importantly, beneficial for the students at these schools that they’re supported by coaches who care and who know the value of track and field/cross-country. If any of you know (or your parents know) someone who would be interested, please encourage them to contact me or NLJH directly. They don’t have to know a ton about training. Much more important than specific workouts or training knowledge is being there to give structure and support to kids as they develop their physical bodies, competitive mindset, and teamwork skills.
II. Weekly Training
Starting last week, we began circulating a spreadsheet that will have the week’s training. This week’s training can be found here: Weekly Training (February 3-9, 2025).
III. Additional Information/Points of Emphasis
I really want us to be diligent with our strength and core training. So, please, make that an area of focus starting this week!
Also, I wanted to share a quick story that I heard from Jojo Jourdon’s former coach. He coached a woman who went on to run very successfully at Stanford, followed by a professional career. When she went to Stanford, she improved very quickly. This coach then called her and asked what the Stanford coach had changed in her training that was making her progress so well. She said her training was the same, but the difference was that she was finally getting good sleep every night. SO, PLEASE, also focus on getting plenty of rest.
Finally, if you are sick, REST. Don’t try and train through it. Everyone gets sick in the winter. Take the time off, and some back when you’re feeling better. There is still plenty of time to progress!