Process, Outcomes, State Info, Banquet Info

The dust...rather...the snow finally settled and melted on the regular season last night. As a few of our athletes made one last effort to gain State Championship Qualifying marks, one of the highlights of the season happened off the track and field and in the stands. Matt Heitmann, Carisa Wilkerson long finished competing for the day and the essentially the year...stayed to watch their teammates and hang with the coaches while we watched Chloe Piegat, Izzy Camann and Sophie Berry compete. Tremendous student-athletes, the not so simple effort of taking the time for others was a particularly great leadership note to end the season on. 


 The Process and Choices. 

I was reminded last night how vitally important to our success as a program, is the focus we put on the process and the choices we make. Over and over again this year when we struggled in our program it was the focus on the process that had been lost or choices were made that hindered both our process and performance. Conversely, where and when we found success, the process was what got us there and great choices were made to enhance the performance. It is the "little things" that make the difference. Time and Self management of rest, homework, jobs and other activities so that you can be your best in our sport is a huge part of the process. In this sport, hundredths of a second make the difference between "success" in setting a personal best, qualifying for state or simply scoring points for the team. Student-Athletes have to be mindful of their process and choices when it comes to schedules, their grades, their overall physical well being and energy levels and how much true practice time they have been able to participate in. The techniques in Track and Field across all events are such that practice and process make the difference. There are usually tradeoffs to every choice we make when it comes to our season. We made a ton of good choices this year and we had some great moments of process. This is reflected in the outcomes listed below.

Coach Stenny's part of the process....Improvement needed...
I for one have to own my parts of the process that I failed at this year, in hopes that in so doing I will improve going forward. In leadership... communication is vital and I certainly failed to communicate well at all levels this year. Certainly our staff picked up my slack and made the train continue to move. I am so thankful for them. I need to improve next year on my communication to my staff, student-athletes and parents so that we can continue and build on the success we have achieved this year. Lastly, I need to be more mindful and in the moment and use my brain. Example: Last night at the meet at 6:20pm...the information over the loud speaker said they were moving up the start of the 4x400's to 6:55. Connor Ohlson had not yet arrived on site...having been told by me that his race was at 7:40pm this was no fault of his. (see how I failed at communicating!) We as coaches got caught up in the moment and didn't use our heads. Certainly tired from a long day, and not being of clear head hurt our process. Connor arrived and we needlessly rushed him into a warmup thinking he was going to run at 6:55. We also began warming up Nico, Drew and Jamal. While the temperature was dropping and the need for a good warm up was evident and true, we forgot about the 6 sections of Boys 4x400m races. As coaches we didn't use our heads and we had the guys warming up about 15-20 minutes earlier then was needed possibly. As coaches we didn't handle the process well. Succumbing to rushed thinking and poor judgement, we contributed to our guys being a touch more tired going into the race. Our guys didn't run great,  we contributed to that and we as coaches, chiefly me Coach Stenny need to own it and get better about our process going into next year, that is the bottom line.

The Outcomes....

Boys 3rd in League Championship, 2nd in League Relays
Girls 7th in League Championship, 4th in League Relays

Team School Records Set:
4x800m Boys 7:58.24
4x1600m Boys  18:00.88
1600 Medley Boys  3:38.71

 Individuals added to the TOP 10 ALL-TIME Personal Best list in School History in 2019
 (Click here for Link to Top 10 list)

..School Record
.... 2019 State Qualifying performance (Top 18 performance in event during the regular season)

Matt Heitmann #5 Shot Put 43-2.25
Emma Strauss #5 Discus 85-1
Kyle Cannon #5 Discus 133-10
Matt Heitmann #6 Discus 126-2
Izaak McWilliams #9 Discus 122-4
Nico Capolungo #6 Triple Jump 42-2
Dakota Jesse #6 Long Jump 20-5.25
Dante Capolungo #10 Long Jump 19-7
Josh Griffith    #9  High Jump  5-8
Andrew Eickleman  # 9 High Jump  5-8
Carisa Wilkerson #6 100m Hurdles 17.51
Anthony Iarusso #4 110m Hurdles 17.02
Eli Harding #5 110m Hurdles  18.53
Devon Buchannon   #7  110m Hurdles 19.61
Joesph Steele    #8    110m Hurdles   19.79
Eli Harding #5 300m Hurdles 45.05
Joesph Steele #6 300m Hurdles 45.61
Tilo Pena #8 300m Hurdles 47.32
Cavicka Wilkerson #10  300m Hurdles 48.20
Sophie Berry  #5  300m Hurdles  49.92
Izzy Camann   #7  300m Hurdles  51.01
Chloe Piegat  #1  200m 25.90 * Also a state qual time)
Sydney Hoffman  #10   200m 27.42
Chloe Piegat  #7   400m 1:02.24
Nico Capolungo #7 400m 52.15
Connor Ohlson #1  800m  1:53.84 (Also state qual time)
Austin Vancil  #6    800m   1:59.77
Austin Vancil #2    1600m  4:16.49
Connor Ohlson  #3  1600m 4:19.34
Jacob White   #6      1600m 4:23.71
Ben Morrin   #7       1600m  4:25.24
Austin Vancil # 2    3200m   9:08.18
Jacob White  #5      3200m   9:38.27
Ben Morrin   #6      3200m   9:38.72
Riley Abrashoff  #8  3200m 9:49.82

State Track Information 

Thursday May 16th 

 5A Boys   4x800m  11:10am @ Jeffco Stadium 

• Ben Morrin, Riley Abrashoff, Ben Piegat, Wyatt Oglesby

5A Girls   200m Prelims    12:10pm     @ Jeffco Stadium 

• Chloe Piegat 

Friday May 17th

5A Boys 3200m  10:30am @ Jeffco Stadium 

• Austin Vancil 
• Jacob White
• Ben Morrin 

5A Boys 800m   1:05pm  @ Jeffco Stadium 

• Connor Ohlson 

Saturday May 18th 

5A Boys 1600m 4:15pm @ Jeffco Stadium  

• Austin Vancil 
• Connor Ohlson
• Jacob White
• Ben Morrin 

Banquet Information 

Why:
To celebrate our student-athletes for a wonderful year of track and field. Catered by Noodles and Company, Awards Given out by Coaches.

When:
 Thursday May 23rd 6:00pm-9:00pm

Where:
Dakota Ridge Cafeteria 

How Much?*: 
$12 (if paid for by May 20th)
$15 (if paid for after May 20th)
*Note on Cost: costs cover the food ordered and awards for the kids.

How to Pay: 

• You can give cash in envelope labeled with attending individuals to Coach Gysin 
• A check made out to DRHS XCTF Boosters turned into Coach Gysin 

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