Phoenix,
Well done to everyone who competed at region. We had some great performances as individuals and as relay teams. That was one of the most enjoyable meets I've been to this year, probably because of the fantastic effort, performances, and support. It was a lot of fun seeing so many individuals and relays qualify for state. (Warning, I'm trying to make this as long as possible so Tai has some Sunday reading).
There were a lot of highlights, so I won't go over everything, but it was a lot of fun watching all of you well-deserving kids punch a ticket to state. On the other hand, we feel for you when you narrowly miss out. As I said after the meet, we will rarely ever be fully satisfied with a PR, because then you just want the next one - as evidenced by those who run a pr, but it isn't quite as "big" as they were hoping. Or they run the big pr but a week later they are disappointed when they run their second best time ever. The goal is to be happy with progress and find satisfaction in your hard work. When you look back I hope you are satisfied with how you approached the sport, having done the best with what you knew at the time. If you do your best that you know how, you'll never have to look back and think "if only..."
Personally I loved watching Aaron just all out BLAST an 800 right from the gun, all by himself. I've never seen anything like it. He went 1:58 and qualified for state. He was in such disbelief he refused to accept he had actually qualified for state. I also loved watching Skye run right on by the competition with about 410m to go in the 800 to take the dub. And lastly, it was great to see our girls 4x400 team rise to the occasion and qualify for state. 3 of the 4 girls had just run an 800 moments before, and were running on some pretty tired legs (Katie ran a 400, then an 800, then ANOTHER 400, all within the span of about 1 hour - that's crazy. Her words right before the relay when I asked who needed to sub out, "I think I can muster another one."). And boy did she. Kate, Sahara, and Katie had the team in a qualifying position when Skye took the baton, and did the same thing she's done in her last 4 times on the track dating back to BYU: cruised right by a bunch of kids like they weren't running the same event. She ran a nice little 60s quarter mile to launch the team to state.
If you've seen Sahara run the 300H (or really any race for that matter) you know she likes to do her passing as late in the race as possible (I'm joking, kind of). It seems like every race there is a girl ahead of her as they go over the final hurdle, and then she just sneaks in front of them. She also broke the school record in the 100H earlier in the day - qualifying for state in both events. She and Katrina finished 2-3 in the high hurdles, making them a duo of hurdlers that is historic for our young school.
Alexis ran the 3200 like clock work to qualify for state, lying down after the finish, exhausted - she didn't seem all that excited, maybe because she was spent, but I tend to think it's because she's worked so hard all year she basically knew it was going to happen. Similar to Bode's W in the 400m. Running on hampered leg he played with his food until the final moment, letting the others think they had a chance while he just controlled his way to a victory that I figured was a foregone conclusion before the gun went off.
Did I mention the boys 4x200 broke the school record en route to a state qualifying time? If you think that is impressive, go check the 200m boys all time marks at FHS. This year is very well represented.
Finally, if you want to see a group of kids who take joy in each others' success, look no further than the pole vault kids. They support each other, hoping the others surpass their previous best even, perhaps, more so than their own. They help the meet run smoothly, and refine their craft daily. Sierra and Saige, our senior and freshman both qualified for state in the pole vault - I'm looking forward to seeing them jump at state, each at a very different point in their high school experience.
We had a lot of great results, but our team place wasn't indicative of where we want to be - we have a lot of work to do, and I'm looking forward to it. It starts with each of us asking how we can be better, and I very specifically mean myself in that as well.
The following athletes/relay teams qualified for the state championship next week (if anyone is missing let me know ASAP):
Katie Reaveley - 400m
Skye Siddoway - 800m, 1600m
Alexis Bradshaw - 3200m
Katrina Hirst - 100H, Long Jump
Sahara Yates - 100H, 300H
Sierra Yerman - Pole Vault
Saige Baxter - Pole Vault
Girls 4x400
Girls 4x800
Bode Jensen - 400m
Spencer Bradshaw - 800m, 1600m, 3200m
Aaron Miller - 800m
Tyler Muirbrook - 1600m
Landon Sturgeon - 1600m
Tanner Crosland - 300H
Boys 4x100
Boys 4x200
Boys 4x400
Boys 4x800
We are on to our final week of the season (sad face). It's a busy one so make sure you know what is happening.
Monday - Sophomore Region @ Farmington High
This will be our final meet we are hosting this year (another sad face). Once again everyone is expected to help until the end of the meet.
Because the rest of the region is coming, each school will be in charge of a field event. This, combined with the fact that we won't be charging for entry, our job list basically boils down to concessions, press box, and finish line/hurdle crew.
If you are not competing in the meet you will be assigned to help in one of those areas. Even if you are competing, we'll still need your help moving hurdles, and of course staying until the end.
STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS - Thursday/Saturday at BYU
This Thursday and Saturday are the State Championships. You can view the meet schedule here.
Although only some of our team will be competing there (those listed above), I would like for state to be a team event. We even have a bus set to go down both days, so everyone is invited and encouraged to come support. My dream is that we have a huge group down there supporting, having fun, and experiencing the state championship. It is so much fun that I want everyone to experience it. I cannot wait. There's just something about being at a meet that caliber at the end of a hard fought season with your friends and teammates, enjoying the spring weather, supporting that is unmatched. The BYU facility, to Utah track and field, is like the Rivendell of middle earth. As one bearded coach puts it, "it's pristine, glorious, awe inspiring, and [redacted]."
The BYU facility is a blast, with a lot of open space to play spike ball, hacky, you name it, in between races. If we have someone on the track or field competing though, you need to be down there cheering them on. For each day that you attend you will receive 5 extra credit points for the track class (from if you missed helping at a meet earlier). If you come on Thursday you will also be school excused.
If you have questions about state, let me know.
Final practices
For the coming week we will practice as usual, meaning on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. Friday will be the final practice, and will be very brief. Even if you aren't racing any more after he conclusion of region, you still need to join us. The following week however, we will not practice. During classes we will have an extra credit opportunity (more on that later).
Team Pictures/Banquet
Our team banquet will be Tuesday 5/23 at 6:30 PM (time subject to change). Parents and athletes are all invited. In preparation for that, students, parents and coaches: please add pictures and video clips of track team members to the Track 2023 photo album HERE no later than May 14th. Valerie Albrechtsen will use some of them for our track team banquet slideshow. You may also give her a flash drive if that's easier.
More details on the banquet will come next week.
If you have any questions please let me know.
Coach Jacobson
