First Meet - Final Reminders

First off, I realized today that we never got the duffle bags handed out...so please make due tomorrow and we'll get those big bags out before the next meet.  In the meantime, here are a few tips and reminders for tomorrow:

MEET:  Merli Invitational
LOCATION:  "The Bubble," in Toms River (MAP)
BUS TIME:  Bus pulls out at 7:30am, so be at school by 7:15
ARRIVE HOME: 2:00-2:30-ish

WHAT TO PACK:  Here are a few suggestions...
  1.  Dress/Pack in layers ... the Bubble will be cold in the AM until the sun is strong
  2.  All Under Armour and tights need to be BLACK and SOLID
  3.  Extra everything, just in case
  4.  Healthy food & drinks (there is a concession stand that sells candy/snacks)
  5.  Money in case there are T-shirts for sale
  6.  Your uniform, trainers, and racing spikes* (if you have them)
* I have 1/8" pyramid spikes if you need them

ORDER OF EVENTS:
On the Track (girls first in all events)
400 meters
3200 meters
55 HH
55 meters
4x800
Finals 55 HH
Finals 55 meters
1600
4x400
In the Field:
Pole Vault - 2 pits
High Jump - girls first
Shot Put - girls first

Winter Break Schedule

Here you go ... the Winter Break Schedule!

Please also let me know if you have conflicts for either meet that is scheduled for the break.

Tue 12/23 (1/2 day):  practice 1-3 pm
Wed 12/24:  OFF
Thu 12/25:  OFF
Fri 12/26:  practice 8-10 am
Sat 12/27:  MERLI INVITATIONAL - bus @ TBA
Sun 12/28:  OFF
Mon 12/29:  practice 8-10 am
Tue 12/30:  practice 8-10 am
Wed 12/31:  practice 8-10 am
Thu 1/1:  OFF
Fri 1/2:  OCEAN COUNTY RELAYS - bus @ TBA
Sat 1/3:  practice 8-10 am
Sun 1/4:  OFF

Hydration, Hydration!

I have always felt that most people recognize that hydration is a critical part of athletics, but I am certain that many people do NOT understand how quickly we become dehydrated or how much fluid we need to ingest to remain hydrated or just how bad fruit juices are compared to water.  So.....here is an article that focuses on all those very points!  Enjoy.

ARTICLE HERE

Paperwork Deadline Rapidly Approaching!!!

GET YOUR PAPERWORK DONE!!!

1. SIGN UP ON FAMILY ID
2. COMPLETE THE PROPER PHYSICAL PACKET
**** Winter track athletes need to have their forms and registration completed by next week - please act quickly.  As of 12 noon on Tuesday 11/18, 13 girls have signed up and just 4 are approved.

Winter Track and Field is Coming!!!

It seems crazy, but it's true...Winter Track and Field is Coming!!!  The first day of practice is about one month away, Monday, December 1.

Before the first day, YOU have certain responsibilities.  The most important of these are listed below:

1.  Make sure you have a physical on file with the Athletic Office.*

2.  Get registered at Family ID.*

* Both of these items need to be REDONE EVEN IF YOU PLAYED A FALL SPORT!!!

3.  Arrive on Day 1 in shape and ready to work!

I am really excited for this season - there are lots of possibilities, but none of it happens without taking care of our business.  That starts with paperwork and starting the season in shape!  Don't hold up the team's progress with your own irresponsibility!  Can't wait to work with you all soon!

Girls Physicals - Wednesday, June 11

A reminder that ALL girls physicals for ALL girls sports for ALL of next year for ALL seasons, will be held on Wednesday, June 11, after school.  If you plan to use the school doctor for your physical, by now you should have an appointment set up so you have a specific time to show up.

Remember no one is required to use the school doctor; you can go to your own doctor, too.  Either way, everyone is required to complete the same forms.  There is a white packet for those without a current physical and there is a blue packet for those who are just updating a current physical.  Also you parents should be registering at FamilyID, for easy access and for current and future use.

Any questions should be directed to the Athletic Department:  (732) 701-1900 ext. 2227

Colts Neck Relay Meet, Saturday 4/19

Here is the necessary information for tomorrow's meet:

WHERE:  Colts Neck High School, Colts Neck, NJ

BUS TIME:  departing at 7:15 am

MEET STARTS:  first events at 9:00 am

FORMAT:  mostly relay events, but a couple of relays (1600, 400)

RETURN TO SCHOOL:  ballpark...4:00 pm

WHAT TO BRING:

• Uniform
• Under Armour (must be black)
• Racing spikes/Throwing Shoes
• Trainers
• Healthy Food
• Warm clothes (for AM)
• Extra clothes
• Sunblock
• Money (snack stand, t-shirts)

Lenape Invitational Girls' Meet

Here is the necessary information for tomorrow's meet:

WHERE:  Lenape High School, Medford, NJ

BUS TIME:  departing at 7:30 am

MEET STARTS:  first events at 10:00 am

FORMAT:  mostly individual events, but a couple of relays (DMR, 4x100)

RETURN TO SCHOOL:  ballpark...4:00 pm

WHAT TO BRING:

• Uniform
• Under Armour (must be black)
• Racing spikes/Throwing Shoes
• Trainers
• Healthy Food
• Warm clothes (for AM)
• Extra clothes
• Sunblock
• Money (snack stand, t-shirts)

Metuchen Invitational

Metuchen Invitational Information:

BUS TIME:  6:30 am
MEET STARTS:  9:00 am
LOCATION:  Metuchen High School
FORMAT:  most events are relays, but there are a few individual events
RETURN TO SCHOOL:  hard to say ... 4:30 pm??

WHAT TO BRING:

• Uniform
• Under Armour (must be black)
• Spikes
• Trainers
• Healthy Food
• Extra clothes
• Warm clothes
• Sunblock
• Money (snack stand, t-shirts)

PHYSICAL PACKET INFO UPDATE

IMPORTANT CHANGE INDICATED BELOW.

Physical packets and health history updates can no longer be submitted electronically to the Athletic Office.  To help you adjust your plans, the Athletic Office will take your papers up until Monday, March 3.  You have two options to get your physical and permission papers completed:

1.  Complete the hard copy packet and return to the Athletic Office immediately.  Packets can be obtained from the Athletic Office or from any of these coaches:  Colonna, Johnson, Moor, or Speiser.  Mr. Ferrone has promised me that the Athletic Office will extend the deadline until Monday, March 3.

2.  Click HERE and PRINT the paper copies for yourself.  Complete them.  Submit them to the Athletic Office.  Again, deadline extended to Monday, March 3.

As of TUESDAY, FEB 25, at 3:45 pm ... ZERO girls are cleared for track and field!!!

TWO IMPORTANT NOTICES!!

Two Important Notices!!

1.  Spring Track and Field Permission and Physical forms can be found HERE.  Remember the due date is Wednesday 2/26!!

2.  End of the Winter Season Wrap Up meeting will be held Tuesday, 2/25, after school in room 225.  ALL ATHLETES (yes even those of you involved with Spring Track) MUST bring all of their uniform pieces and equipment and bags.  For those not doing Spring, I will be collecting.  For those who are doing Spring, I will just be checking for inventory purposes that you still have everything you were issued.

SPRING TRACK MEETING

DUE TO THURSDAY'S SNOW DAY, THE SPRING TRACK MEETING WILL NOW BE HELD TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, STILL IN ROOM 225.

ALL girls on the team are encouraged to talk up the meeting and to try to recruit new athletes from any grade, of any ability level.

In the interim, please start to take care of your physicals (if needed) and YOUR PERMISSION PACKETS (REQUIRED FOR ALL ATHLETES).

HERE is the link directly to the PHYSICAL and PERMISSION FORMS online.

Midterms Week and SECTIONALS!!

This week will be a busy one for all of you with midterms starting up tomorrow.  Please keep in close communication with your events coaches and with me about schedule conflicts and to know when your practices are being held.  Distance will stay at 3 pm, but other groups may go at different times.  

This Friday is a big meet called the NJ State Sectional meet, specifically the Central Jersey Group 2 Sectional.  If we are healthy enough (which is a big question right now) we have a chance to score and place very well in this meet.  To score points, you must finish in the Top 6 in an event.  We stand a very good chance to place in (and maybe win!) several events:  high jump, shot put, pole vault, 800, 1600, and 55 hurdles for sure and maybe others.  

Also, Sectionals is a "qualifying" meet.  Any of those athletes who place in the Top 6 for their event automatically qualify for the State Group 2 meet on February 15.  Those that do not qualify still have one more meet, called the "Last Chance Meet," on February 12.  Below is our lineup for Friday:

Bus Time:  2:00 pm

Meet Time:  3:45 pm

Location:  The Bubble

High Jump:  Megan, Dakota, Hope

Pole Vault:  Liz, Cammie

Shot Put:  Brianna, Bella

55 Dash:  Shannon, Kacia, Kylie

55 Hurdles:  Dakota

400:  Jamie, Bella, Courtney

800:  Katie, Emily

1600:  Katie

4x400:  Shannon, Hope, Alexis, Jamie ... alt: Dakota, Bella

Snow Day and Meet Information!

I hope everyone got home safely today and I hope you enjoy the day off tomorrow!  I am sure there are plenty of questions so I will outline some info here, now, but definitely contact me directly if I miss something...

First off, the throwers meets for Tuesday and Wednesday ... I know today's was postponed until Thursday so we will likely not compete in that one.  As for Wednesday, and details about today's meet, throwers should check in with Coach Colonna - in fact he probably already reached out to you all.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22

No school - no practice.

Bubble practice cancelled, too.

Try to be active in some way on your own - lift, pushups, core, abs, treadmill, etc.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 23

Meet:  Frosh-Novice Meet

Location: the Bubble

Bus Time:  2:45 pm

First Events: 4:30 pm

Girls Attending/Competing:  Katie, Kacia, Alexis, Bella, Shannon, Kylie, Hope, Synne (if healthy), Emily (if healthy), Courtney, Megan

*** We will work out the lineup of events together, on the bus to the meet.  There are not a lot of events to pick from so it'll pretty easy to figure out.  In a couple of cases, coaches want/need to get certain athletes into certain events, but otherwise there will be more input from your end.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 24

Meet:  Shore Conference Championship Meet

Location:  the Bubble

Bus Time:  2:00 pm (you will be dismissed at 1:45, start of last period of day)

First Events:  4:00 pm

Meet Lineup:

Shot Put:  Taylor, Brianna

High Jump:  Megan

Pole Vault:  Liz, Cammie

400:  Jamie, Shannon

3200:  not competing

55H:  Dakota

55: Shannon

1600:  Katie

4x400:  not competing

Lineup for State Relays, Sunday 1/19

Here is the info for Sunday's meet.

What meet:  NJ Group 2 State Relays
Where:  The Bubble, Toms River
Bus Time:  7:15 am
Meet Time:  9:00 am
Expected Finish Time:  2:00 pm

Here is the order of events and who is doing what...

TRACK
1.  Distance Medley - not competing
2.  Shuttle Hurdles - not competing
3.  4x200 - Jamie, Shannon, Hope, Alexis
4.  4x800 - not competing
5.  Sprint Medley - 400 Jamie, 200 Megan/Liz, 200 Dakota, 800 Katie
6.  4x400 - Alexis, Bella, Hope, Shannon

FIELD
Pole Vault - Liz, Cammie
    2 pits, boys and girls vault at same time
    Opens at 7'-0"
High Jump - Megan, Dakota
    2 pits, boys and girls jump at same time
    Opens at 4'-0"
Shot Put - Taylor, Brianna
    2 pits, boys and girls throw at same time
    In intermediate school

Coach's Thoughts, 1/11 - Risk Failure to Gain Success

RISK FAILURE TO GAIN SUCCESS ... a theme upon which I will elaborate in a moment.  But first another congratulations on a great day for our team yesterday at the Ocean County Championships!  Although my season of lying continued (like how I have been 'lying' about the schedule)...apparently, not all the events were tallied when we left yesterday, so we actually had the 7th most points, not 4th.  Still, a great day as far as I'm concerned - I highlighted some of our best moments on the bus and they were plenty - PRs, medals, points, and improvements were abound!  Mostly, as has become our signature, it was all achieved with the right attitude - being supportive teammates, hard working individuals, and fierce competitors!  A tradition of an expectation of excellence is being born (shhhh).

Now, on to my new quote and a look ahead.  Success and achievement are wonderful things and bring with them prideful moments and memories.  But success can also be fleeting if we get satisfied.  I don't think that we are a team that gets satisfied with just a little success, but we are also a young team and we may not be aware of exactly how much we can achieve or, more importantly, how to get there.  So I offer you this quote:  "Risk Failure to Gain Success."

We all get a big boost of improvement early in the season from just getting into 'track and field shape' and from repeating our events once or twice.  But we want to sustain these improvements for the long haul.  So we need to do more - and in practice we will do more repetitions and more miles and more lifting, but our real success will come from our mental capabilities - our willingness to take risks.   Just some examples would be pole vaulters getting onto a bigger pole, sprinters starting their races faster, or distance runners starting their kick earlier.  Already Taylor has tried to warm up with the boys shot, Megan has committed to a new lifting routine, and Shannon has accepted trying out a newer, longer event than she is used to.  Conversely, Hope and Synne have taken risks by being conservative in their recoveries, which seems to be paying off for both of them.  (Sometimes it's hard to be patient!)

So, what will YOU do?  What risks will YOU take?  How will YOU take YOURself to the next level?  Whatever it is, approach it with a committed attitude and a deep rooted desire to improve.  Understand that the risk of failure is a big one and it does not guarantee success - and in fact could backfire - but those who risk most greatly tend to achieve most greatly, as well.  Communicate.  Consult with your events coaches, ask for suggestions, share your own ideas, and get after it!!  There is so much out there for us to achieve, we just have to ask ourselves what we are willing to risk to get it.

Coach's Thoughts - 1/4

I have been really excited and impressed by our start to this season.  I say this for a few reasons, but mostly because we have kept such a positive spirit and developed a strong team bond despite some difficulties - we have been dealt some really tough injuries and had to deal with some especially lousy weather.  It is hard to cope when your team has 18 athletes and 6 of them have encountered significant injuries.  And constant 30 degree weather is not pleasant or conducive to great training, but our efforts have been undeterred!  I am so impressed, though not surprised...I know this is a special group of young ladies who are enthusiastic, friendly, and motivated!

Our meets have been similar - while we have had to run 'short-handed' because of injuries (and vacations!), we have been unaffected and girls are crushing it in their events.  Some immediate highlights that come to mind are Taylor and Brianna breaking the school shot put relay record, Liz and Cammie tying the school pole vault relay record, Megan's 4-10 high jump at the relay meet which was tied for the second best jump in Ocean County, and Shannon's 8.3 second race in the 55 meters, which was in our first meet and was faster than any girl ran in the 55 for us, in either of the past 2 seasons.

We have a long way to go this season, which means plenty more time for plenty more improvements, school records, personal bests, and fun times!  I am excited to see Alexis and Katie make their winter track debuts after schedule conflicts kept them out so far and excited to see Dakota, Synne, Hope and Emily continue to take steps to get back to full strength!  Keep working, ladies!

** Remember, our next meet is this Saturday, NOT Friday, which is a change from the original schedule.

Schedule Change

The Ocean County Championship Meet will be held on Saturday, January 11 at 9:00 am.  Our original schedule showed that the Ocean County Championship Meet was on Friday, January 10 at 4:00 pm.

I apologize for the second date change in this young season.  I made the schedule excessively early this year, trying to get ahead, but apparently the dates were not all set in stone.  Or else maybe it is just having 2 kids at home now is clouding my brain ... either way I do apologize and I hope that there are no further issues with the schedule this season.