This update will have some insight into our first few weeks, information about the meet this weekend, that we want everyone to attend, information about the Simplot games, that we'd love everyone to participate in as well, an upcoming team activity (next week), soph0more orientation (aka Phoenix Preview), and our captains.
We are one month into our indoor season training, and we have had some ups and downs already. On the positive side, many of our athletes are seeing improvement already on account of their consistency. Harder training sessions are becoming easier than medium training sessions were at the beginning. Athletes are getting to know each other, we are finding out who we are as a team, and we have had new people joining us each week.
We have some fantastic athletes and people on the team. Coming to practice is something I look forward to each day because of the team we have. That said, I see many ways that we can improve.
The top two being consistency as a TEAM, and the other is being part of the TEAM.
First, we are practicing every day (the exception being this Friday, because there is a track meet. More below.). That means B days and A days. We have had about half as many kids there on A days as B days, and even our B days have seen some dwindling in attendance.
I don't know how else I can say this, and I feel like a broken record, but consistency is key. Literally every successful athlete at any level has said the same thing. So how do we become consistent? It starts with a commitment, and then effort to breakdown obstacles. What is keeping you from being more consistent? Whatever it is, make adjustments so you can be there. Are you too busy? Switch things around? Not enjoying it enough? Be the change you want to see. You bring the energy you want the team to have, and the rest will follow; control what you can control. At the end of the day, we need each other. Help, support, encourage, motivate each other. That's where the value of this sport is, but if we're not consistent enough, the value will pass you by.
This Week
This week there is a meet at the Olympic Oval in Kearns. It is a Friday night and Saturday day meet. We are strongly encouraging everyone to race 2 individual events, and then a relay on Saturday.
We've been talking about this meet since the first day, and really want everyone to come compete. It will be an important opportunity to compete and see where you are ahead of outdoor.
To register for the meet, view the schedule, etc., you can go to this site, or go on the sporttrax app to register. Each athlete will register themselves for an individual event without a team affiliation.
For athletes wanting to do a relay, if you get 4 kids together, the team can cover that cost and enter the teams. Once you have your team set, fill out this form and I'll get you registered. If you don't have a full team, come talk to me and we'll get it entered.
The Simplot Games
A few weeks ago I sent out a form advertising the Simplot Games. Many of you filled that out saying you'd like to go. This is the official last call if you'd like to come and potentially stay in a hotel.
This is not a school sponsored trip, for the record. It would be a club event.
This meet is actually so awesome. I've gone on 10 separate occasions in my long life, and each one has been awesome. The atmosphere, the competition, hanging out with the team, makes the event second to none. I strongly encourage you to come compete. Each athlete is permitted one individual event, with finals in every race, and one relay, which I'm confident we can qualify several teams for.
In terms of meet quality, this is one of my favorite events of the year. Assuming we have enough participation, some of us coaches will be running in the Coaches' mile on Saturday as well.
For information about the meet click here.
To declare if you'd like to attend go here.
Team Activity
On Thursday 2/12 at 7:00ish PM I have rented out a theater at Kaysville theater so we will be watching Sonic 3, free admission. The doors open for us at 7:00 PM to get whatever food you'd like (not free lol), then the movie will begin at 7:30 PM, no previews beforehand.
This movie is such a banger. It'll make you laugh, it'll make you cry, and it'll make you laugh again.
This movie, and this isn't even a hot take, is Jim Carry's best movie he's ever made. For some that isn't saying much, for others, that's a high compliment, for all, it's a statement of how great this film is. I think it will go down in history as the greatest 3rd installment of a series of all time, rivaling Return of the King (let's not compare the two, that was a book first so they aren't in the same category), easily surpassing Toy Story 3 (which I love by the way, Spanish Buzz clears), and it makes a mockery of botched thirds like Back to the Future III.
For homework, you need to at least watch the first Sonic movie prior to next Thursday.
We have space for 132 people to attend, so if any siblings want to see the masterpiece, we should have room for them.
Phoenix Preview
On Monday 2/9 from 5:00-6:30 PM the incoming sophomores will come to the school to get a preview of classes and athletics. We will have a table advertising for track and Cross Country. We need athletes to be there to help invite kids to join the teams next year, and give an idea of what the season is like. If you are able to help, please let one of the coaches know.
Captains
Lastly, we have named 10 captains for the season. Their roles will vary, but the purpose of each of them is to set the standard of our team culture, epitomizing our team mentality, consistency, and positivity.
While we only have 10 official captains, we have many more leaders on our team. Each of you, captain or not, should adopt a mindset of ownership over the team, and a vested interest in our success. The plight of the teenager is to not know their own leadership abilities. You should assume that anything you do to better the team, or weaken it, will be followed by your teammates. Each of your actions create a ripple effect around the team, and more in sync we become, the stronger our team will be.
The captains are:
Addy Webb
Gabri May
Shylie Thomas
Annie Larsen
Saige Baxter
Isaac Hogge
Will Prusse
Corbin Hancock
Tanner Nielsen
Caleb Homer
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.
Coach Jacobson