We have the re-scheduled Bloomington Relays tonight at BHS. Filed events start at 4p and running events start at 5p. I will be at school at 3p to help transport those athletes needing a ride. I will leave U-high at 3:15p so if you need a ride, you must be ready to go then. Coach Neisler will help out driving if needed also.
Having three meets in one week is not ideal. We will keep a close eye on the athletes but they may need some extra encouragement. Please be sure they are getting plenty of water, eating well and resting when they can. We understand and appreciate that the schedule causes problems for parents as well as athletes. Thanks so much for your patience and support!
As many of our athletes are new to HS track, so are their parents. In the interest of educating everyone, I have a few thoughts to share.
First, Our most important meets, the ones we train and prepare for since
mid- February, are coming up in the next few weeks. Monday is Intercity @
BHS, Corn Belt Fresh/Soph Conference is Tuesday, May 1st @ Rantoul, Corn Belt
Varsity Conference is Friday, May 4th @ Mahomet Seymour HS and Sectionals is
Thursday, May 10 @ Macomb. For those athletes that qualify, the State Meet
is May 17, 18 and 19th in Charleston, IL. I will address these meets more
in future notes but for now, please mark your calendars with these dates.
It is important to schedule around these dates if at all possible. The
athletes train all year for these meets and their teammates, in many cases,
depend on them being there.
Second, I have to enter athletes into their events several days prior to
the meets. There have been several instances in the last few weeks where
athletes and parents have notified me that they will not be available for a
meet just a couple of days prior. I completely understand that athletes
have other obligations ... I'm a parent of an athlete too ... but please, if at
all possible, let me know as soon as you know. If the entry deadline has
passed, I cannot replace the athlete in the meet which means there is a
teammate sitting out which could have run in the meet if we knew prior to the
entry deadline. Please know I am not being critical ... just wanting to
let everyone know how it works so we can avoid these issues in the future and
give everyone their chance to participate.
Last, but certainly not least, I had two athletes miss a test this
morning stating to their teacher they couldn't make it in time due to the meet
running late. I will address this issue tonight with all, and
specifically with my two young absentees, but want it make it clear to all
athletes that they are expected to be on time and they are never to use track
as an excuse for being tardy, absent or not getting school work completed
on time. If a parent writes a note to the school excusing their student,
that is between the athlete and their parents, but using track as an excuse for
this behavior will not be tolerated by the coaches. This behavior may result
in the athlete being kept out of at least one meet so they can be prepared to
make school their priority. If this is a surprise to any athlete,
they have not been listening. We have emphasized school should be their
number one priority and if they are not meeting expectations there, they will
not be participating in track until they completely understand this.
If you have any questions, please contact me. I hope we have a good fan turn-out for tonight's meet. It looks like a beautiful day to watch, what I hope, is a shorter meet than last night. It is a varsity girl's only meet so it should move along if weather and timing equipment cooperate. Looking forward to seeing and hearing the UHSTF fan section. Go Pioneers!
Quote of the Day:
"When we understand the privilege of what it means to be an athlete, we are in touch with, and rejoice in, our physical, mental, and emotional strengths and our endless possibilities."
Gloria Averbuch
If you have any questions, please contact me. I hope we have a good fan turn-out for tonight's meet. It looks like a beautiful day to watch, what I hope, is a shorter meet than last night. It is a varsity girl's only meet so it should move along if weather and timing equipment cooperate. Looking forward to seeing and hearing the UHSTF fan section. Go Pioneers!
Quote of the Day:
"When we understand the privilege of what it means to be an athlete, we are in touch with, and rejoice in, our physical, mental, and emotional strengths and our endless possibilities."
Gloria Averbuch
