Sea View League dual meet season

A satisfying end to our Sea View League dual meet season...defeating Northwood on both levels, Varsity and Junior Varsity. Varsity ended the dual meet season 4-1, while Junior Varsity finished 5-0. Satisfying as it was, I am certainly not satisfied with the level of prowess our overall program has attained. Most coaches never are. We need to mature emotionally to rise to that next level, and I will do everything in my power to see that this takes place. Sea View League Preliminaries and Finals are next week, Tuesday and Friday, at THHS. Our Varsity can grab a share of the Sea View League championship if we can defeat Woodbridge at league finals. Scoring is on a 10-8-6-4-2-1 basis, so six places count. Sixteen events, and they all count the same. Can we win...YES...Will we win, that is another question. We will be prepared, the girls will be ready, and as always, we look forward to the competition. Thank you as always for your support. This is always a melancholy time for me...As corny as it sounds, I deplore the season ending...I enjoy it so, so much. Be that as it may, I look forward to the next few weeks with much, much anticipation...and may the Mustang in the sky be with us...

Houston, we have a problem...

"Houston, we have a problem..." Early in the meet, this is what our team experienced after unexpected negative results in both the 4X100 meter relay and the discus events. Our varsity team fell behind early, witnessed some outstanding individual accomplishments throughout the meet; however, it was for naught as we were defeated by Woodbridge in a first place showdown, 73-63. Could haves and should haves do not count in this business, results do. Excuses such as running on a dirt track are just that...EXCUSES. Bottom line, we did not garner enough positive performances to win. Woodbridge did, I congratulate them, and their team is certainly deserving of a #2 ranking in Orange County. We are a work in progress, both physically and emotionally.

Yes, this team is the most talented individually in the four years I have been the head coach, and next year we will be even more formidable. We lose four senior point scorers from yesterday, and will return a host of skilled young athletes. The task at hand, however, involves much more than ability. A year-round approach to this sport is necessary to maximize one's potential. Too many of our athletes are seen only three months of the year; consequently, the results are not what could have been. I want to clarify my "three month comment." I am not speaking about the athletes involved in other sports. I certainly support the participation in other athletic endeavors. Success at the level we are striving for requires a year-round commitment to track and field...at the very least participating in our pre-season track and field class during the Winter quarter.

It was reported to me upon arriving at THHS after the meet that some girls were being "bullied" by other athletes during the ride home on the bus. This disturbed me, because frankly, I believed the sincerity of the girls who had the courage to report the incidents. This will be invesigated, scrutinized carefully, and will NOT be tolerated. I apologize, as the head coach of this program, for the actions of some of my team members. Nothing bothers me more than people who bully people...whether it is children or adults. Again, this will be taken care of.

Now it is on to the Orange County Track And Field Championships at Mission Viejo High School. 39 girls and 26 boys will showcase their talents and I wish them well. Parents, thank you for your support of track and field, and I look forward to the rest of the season. I love track and field...

Victories against El Toro

The victories last night against El Toro were gratifying, to say the least. We have not defeated El Toro's varsity in the last five years, so that was especially noteworthy...not only for myself and the rest of the coaching staff, but for the ten seniors who have participated in the program for the past 3-4 seasons: Carissa Brown, Nicole Doherty, Brittany France, Shannon Lane, Samantha Lee, Erin McInnis, Christina Murillo, Jillianne Naval, Jacklyn Stribling, and Brooke Watt. This now places us in a position to capture a Sea View League championship. The opponent will be Woodbridge, ranked third in Orange County, also undefeated in the Sea View League, and boasting one of the top three 1600 meter runners in the nation.

Parents, thank you for your support of last night's track and field meet against El Toro. The crowd was estimated at five times what we usually receive at a home meet. The fans were loud and supportive, on both sides, and the athletes I spoke with today were appreciative. The competition ended around 9:45P.M., which means the athletes did not arrive home until after 10:00. We started last night's dual meet at 6:00 for running events, 5:00 for field events...next year we will adjust the starting times to 5:00 for field events, 5:30 for running events. All in all, the concept of a night meet against a local rival is a sound one, both for the athletes and the parents, and it will continue.

This weekend we travel to Arcadia High School for the prestigious Arcadia High School Track And Field Invitational. In its fortieth year, or thereabouts, Arcadia attracts the best of the best from not only southern California, but around the country as well. We will send around twenty-five girls and boys, running and competing in a variety of relays, field events, and distance races. J.T. Sullivan, one of the top high school distance runners in the nation, who is considering Notre Dame and Harvard, will run the invitational 3200 meters, with a legitimate chance to win, and we wish him well. Scotty Blair, one of the top 1600 meter runners in the state of California, will run the 1600. Good luck, Scotty, and to all of the athletes fortunate enough to participate.

To the 110 parents and the 60 or so freshmen(A-L) and newcomers who volunteered their time at last weekend's Trabuco Hills High School Distance Carnival and Invitational, THANK YOU!!! 98 schools, over 1900 athletes, and the positive feedback we received is a residue of your hard work and selfless attitude. A special thank you to the many parents who assisted in the supervision of volunteers...Mrs. Doherty, Ed and Teri Durst, Sandy Grose, Dorian Hinesly, Tom and Linda Lucero, Patty McLure, Jeanette Murillo, Briggite Otto, Jack and Becky Recla...just to name a few...and to the parents who assisted in the day of construction of the meet: Bob Blair, Tom Grose, Greg Hopper, Mr. Mosier, Mr. Nguyen-Le, Steve Wicker, Mr. Zupancic...again, just to name a few.

I hope you enjoy your Easter and Spring Break...I love track and field...and GO BLUE!!!

Coach Kelly

4.01.07 New individual records set at THHS Invitational

New individual records set at THHS Invitational

A new school record was established by sophomore Ximena Cruz in the 1600 meter run...5:15.03..., the old record was set by Lindsay Grose in 2001, who ran 5:16.00. This is Ximena's second school record in less than two weeks, running to a 3200 meter record of 11:27.62 at the Distance Meet Of Champions on March 24. Freshman Percylla Nared set a new freshmen 100 meter record...12.60...and freshman Kelsey Wilson bettered her own freshmen pole vault record...jumping 9'6". Great job Ximena, Percylla, and Kelsey...and GO BLUE!!!