Indoor Update - Utah Indoor Championships

Darts -

It has been another great week. We are seeing improvement in practice and in performance at meets. As we get closer to Simplot and the outdoor season, it has been great to see your progress. Our improvements from the BYU meet to the Olympic Oval (just 3 weeks) were phenomenal in many areas. We also feel like we are becoming closer as a TEAM - but that is something we will have to continue to work on. Unity will take continual effort. Keep up the good work! Set goals for your final indoor meets - and do your best to stay positive. If things aren't going your way at this point, hang in there - keep working and believing in yourselves. I have been amazed time after time at our athletes (current and former) and their ability to turn things around and bounce back from difficult stretches.  

Olympic Oval Meet (UHSTCA) - We had a fantastic weekend at the Olympic Oval. This meet is considered the unofficial Utah Indoor Championships, and both the girls and the boys ended up with the victory (this is the only indoor meet with TEAM scores). The girls squeaked out the win by only 2 points over Syracuse 66-64 (We are going to have some good battles with them this year on both sides). The boys scored 71.5 with Syracuse also taking 2nd with 46. On both sides it was a full team effort. We aren't necessarily getting our points from just one or two stars. Instead, this TEAM is relying on efforts from a lot of different people in every single event. I thought our TEAM did a great job getting out of their comfort zone, taking risks, and giving their best efforts. I was also very impressed with the way were fighting to finish in every event - on the track and in the field events. A lot of our best jumps and throws in the field events were on final attempts and we saw a lot of you really driving hard for the finish line on the track. I love that!!!

There were a ton of highlights for our TEAM, including some new all-time Davis marks: 

Ashley Taylor - 9'00 in the pole vault - Davis #4 All time

Kassidy Webb - 30'06 in the triple jump - Davis #4 All time

Mary Page - 35'04 in the shot put - Davis #9 All time

Ruby Jane Mathewson - 1:00.36 in the 400m - Davis #7 All Time

Aubrey Argyle - 10:53.34 in the 3200 - Davis #2 (behind her own school record of 10:45) (Currently U.S. #6)

4 x 400 (Ruby Jane, Becky, Olivia, Ally) - 4:05.38 - Davis #6 All Time

Xakai Harry - 22'09 in the long jump - Davis SCHOOL RECORD (Also Currently U.S. #25)

Carter Hardy - 38'10.00 in the triple jump - Davis #6 All Time

Caleb Kamalu - 8.51 in the 60 hurdles - Davis #4 All Time

Zach Olsen - 8.56 in the 60 hurdles - Davis #6 All Time

Kelton Johnson - 50.58 in the 400m - Davis #4 All Time

Garrett DiReda - 2:07.85 in the 800m - Davis Freshman Record

Camren Todd - 9:24.85 in the 3200 - Davis #2 All Time (Also Currently U.S. #11)

4 x 200 (Jade, Riley, Landon, Sawyer) - 1:32.80 - Davis #3 All Time

4 x 400 - (Jade, Riley, Sawyer, Kelton) - 3:26.57 - Davis #2 All Time (Also Currently U.S. #32)

Here are some related links - 

Full Results - http://www.runnercard.com/runner/data/184432/1000947/result/results.pdf

Updated Boys Performance List - http://davisindoortrack.blogspot.com/p/2017-boys-performances.html

Updated Girls Performance List - http://davisindoortrack.blogspot.com/p/2017-girls-performances.html

Updated Boys Class Records (60m-3200m) - http://davisindoortrack.blogspot.com/p/boys-800m-freshman-208.html

Updated Girls Class Records (60m-3200m) - http://davisindoortrack.blogspot.com/p/girls-class-records.html

Golden Spike Sprint Challenge (2/4) - Although we are taking a small group to Boise this next weekend, there is another track meet at the Olympic Oval next Saturday. The only events are the 60m, 60m Hurdles, 200m, and 400m. If you would like to get one more track meet in, you can go down on your own. The information and registration is posted at http://www.runnercard.com/e/runner.Main?meet=1000866

I will have a flier at practice. Registration is $10 and needs to be done by Friday at 8:00pm.

Utah Distance Challenge (2/10) - We are in charge of the Distance Challenge on February 10th at the Olympic Oval. The events include - 400, 800, 1600, and 3200. All sprinters and hurdlers should plan on coming for the 400m. 

Simplot (2/16-2/18) - We have handed out and emailed out the information and waiver for Simplot. The money ($140) and waiver are due by Tuesday, February 7th. You will all also need to register or renew your membership for the USATF ($20). Please take care of that by February 7th. www.usatf.org

There have been a few adjustments to the invite list. I will have the updated invites at practice on Monday and Tuesday.

At this point in the year, it is especially important to take good care of yourselves. We have had quite a few people getting sick in the past few weeks - a lot of stuff is going around. Do your best to get your sleep, eat healthy, stay hydrated, wash your hands, and keep your stress levels to a minimum. After 3 more weeks of hard work for indoor, we will take a small break and prepare for the outdoor season. 

Thanks!

Coach Talley

Indoor Update - Weber State Invite

Darts -
I said it during track class this past week, and it's true: At this point of the season, we are more interested in your character, toughness, and teamwork than we are in your actual marks. Your times on the track and marks in the field events might not be where you want them to be, but don't focus on that right now. For now, focus on being tough, working hard, being a good teammate, and looking for opportunities to learn and grow and improve. I thought we did a great job of that at the Weber State Invitational this past weekend. Most of you showed up with a great attitude (despite the snow and challenges getting there), and you were competing with energy, toughness, and courage. It's exactly what we wanted to see. I was very impressed with how many of you tried an event for the first time--I know that it can be scary to face those fears.
The results have not been published yet, but we were very excited about the efforts and attitudes of our athletes! I will send out the Weber State results later this week when I receive them. I will also post the performance list for 2017 on the indoor blog - www.davisindoortrack.blogspot.com
(Just a side note - if we ever have weather and roads like yesterday, and you aren't able to make it to the indoor track meet because weather. Please always listen to your parents. Respect their decisions. Just do the best you can in those situations. There will always be other track meets - and your coaches will NOT be upset if you are unable to get there.)

Utah Coaches Meet (UHSTCA Invite) - Our next indoor track meet is next weekend (January 27-28) at the Olympic Oval in Kearns. I have attached all of the information including the schedule. Please read over it carefully and let me know if you have any questions. We have to Pre-Register you for this meet, so please fill out the attached form and bring it to practice by Wednesday. I will also have forms available at practice all week. You will pay when you arrive at the track meet ($4 per event).

Simplot Games Invite List - We are not quite ready with the invites for Simplot. We are trying to find a way to accommodate as many athletes as possible - but it is challenging once again this year. We have so many athletes doing a great job. The factors we are using to decide (in order of importance) - 1) Performance at the first 2 track meets (we may also be looking at the Olympic Oval performances this week for the final spots). 2) Commitment and consistency at indoor practices. 3) Seniority on the team. We will try (as always) to be as fair as we can while making the best possible decisions for the program. That list will be emailed out on Tuesday. Simplot is on February 16-18.

Coach Matt Williams, who has been helping us the past few years, had a battle with cancer 10 years ago. He recently found out that the cancer has returned. He just had surgery to remove 2 large tumors from his lungs and will begin his second round of radiation soon. We have set up a GoFundMe account to try to help Coach Williams with his medical bills. If anyone can help, here is the link - https://www.gofundme.com/coach-matt-williams-medical

Thanks for everything! The indoor track season is rolling along, and we are pleased with the potential we see and the formation of our TEAM. Keep up the good work!
Coach Talley

Remaining Indoor Schedule:
Jan 27-28 - Utah Coaches Invite (Indoor State Championships) @ The Olympic Oval
Feb 3-4 - Boise Invitational (small group)
February 10 - Utah Distance Challenge @ The Olympic Oval (400-800-1600-3200)
February 16-18 - Simplot Games

Indoor Update - 1/16

Darts -
We want to see each one of you reach your potential with track & field this indoor and outdoor season. We realize that it takes a lot of hard work and sacrifice on your part if we are going to have success as a TEAM and as individuals. There may not be a perfect "formula to success", but here are a few tips that will help you with track this year...
1. Be unselfish - we will always stress the importance of TEAMwork and trying to help each other improve. Watch for ways to inspire and encourage your teammates. Bring energy to workouts and find ways to contribute beyond just your competing ability. When you help others succeed, you will succeed as well. Our biggest measure of success as a TEAM will be how united we become throughout the season. We want to see athletes working hard for each other.
2. Stay Healthy - This may be the most important key. It takes extra focus and sometimes a change in lifestyle. Nutrition (fuel), hydration, and rest are an athletes best friends. Be smart about the workouts and communicate with your coaches when you feel something is bothering you - at the same time, realize that you are going to feel some soreness and aches and pains - that's normal when you are working hard. Most of all, take your warm up and recovery seriously - drills, stretching, cooling down, ice baths, easy days, etc.
3. Consistent, Hard Work - You are only going to be successful if you put in the work. And it can't be just whenever it is convenient for you. It has to be consistent. The daily grind with all of the different types of workouts is what is going to get you to be your best. Jumpers don't just need jumping practice - they need speed, strength, and conditioning. Throwers don't just need throwing reps - they need explosiveness, power, flexibility, core strength. Try to improve every aspect of your event. Be willing to put in some extra time and commitment.
4. Positive Attitude - This is something everyone can work on (probably throughout your life). It's not always easy to stay positive through challenging things, but it is so important for your improvement. I love that track is such a mental game - believing in yourself and having confidence can give you a huge edge. Being on the starting line or in the blocks or on the runway or in the ring and knowing that you are going to do well will make you perform so much better. Work on the mental side of your event. Focus and visual success. And then bring energy and excitement and positivity to the rest of your teammates as well.
5. Experience - Be patient with yourself and learn from each workout and each track meet. You can learn a lot from your "failures" or the times that don't go perfectly. Don't be afraid of that. Try to take positive things away from each experience and always lift yourself up and keep fighting and improving. You have to be willing to get out and try in order to gain experience.

Upcoming Items:
Tuesday Practice - A group will be going down to the Olympic Oval for a workout tomorrow (Tuesday, 1/17). Sprinters and Hurdlers who are trying to qualify for Simplot and Distance Runners who are in the sub 5:00 (boys) and sub 6:00 (girls) range for the mile can come. The cost is $4. Bring your spikes (without the spikes in them). We will be gone from 10:00 until 1:00. We will need drivers. The indoor track at Davis will also be open for a workout at that time on Tuesday if you are not in that group or don't have as much time.

The Weber State Invitational is on Friday and Saturday (1/20 and 1/21). The field events are on Friday evening and the track events are on Saturday. I have attached the information for the meet. You don't need to pre-register, you can just show up, pay, and sign up for your events at the entry. It is a great first meet if any of you weren't able to compete at BYU. We will talk more about it at practice on Wednesday and Thursday.

Indoor Track Class starts on Wednesday (4th period). We will not workout during the track class on the first day. But we will have indoor practice right after school, so still bring your clothes. From here out, we will still meet in the cafeteria on 'B' Days. 'A' Day practices will begin with track class. Those not in the track class will need to find their event coach for the workout after school on 'A' Days.

Simplot - I will send out the initial Simplot Invite list next weekend. Simplot is on February 16-18 in Pocatello, ID. The cost will be $135-$140. More information to come next Sunday.

Enjoy the rest of your long weekend!
-Coach Talley