Shade Weygandt not only qualified for the NCAAs,

but she also registered the highest mark by an

“American female under the age of 20.” Fabulous

marks and times have been recorded by many Texas

Indoor Season —Sign ing Day

Miscellaneous

Texas A&M’s Beard,

Mayo and Tarmoh

on Women’s

Bowerman Watch

List

A&M, Tech, UT,

and Baylor ranked

in Top 25 Men’s &

Women’s Indoor

February 5,

DeSoto’s Kenneth

Minkah competes in

Osaka, Japan as part

of a US Jr.

Invitational team—

Japan, US &

Germany in 60M,

60H and LJ

Do you need

to lease an

FAT system?

Contact Barbara

Crousen at

McMurry

University

325-793-4646 or

bcrousen@mcm.

edu

TTFCA Miss ion Statement The Texas

Track & Field

Coaches

Association

exists to

promote the

sports of track & field in the state

of Texas by developing and

enhancing lines of communication

Texas Track & Field Coaches Association February 7, 2011 Volume 1, Issue 2

Shade Weygandt’s launch to 14-05.25 at the Texas Tech

Invitational January 22, 2011 (Photo courtesy TX Tech)

The handoff

collegians, including Bryce Lamb (TX Tech), Patrick

McGregor (UT), Errol Nolan (Houston), Jessica

Beard (A&M) and Gerald Phiri (A&M).

On 1/28/11, Marquise Goodwin (UT, Soph) shattered

a 25-year-old school record with nation-leading 26-

08.50 long jump.

As for the high schoolers, Aldrich Bailey (Mansfield

Timberview) leads the nation in the 400 (48.07);

Kenneth Minkah (DeSoto) leads in the 60 hurdles

(7.84), Devin Field (Lancaster) leads in the long jump

(24-03.75), and Jennifer Madu (Plano East) leads in the

60 dash at 7.45.

Other HS Performances of Note:

Hayden Reed, Shot Put, 61-08.50

Reese Watson, PV, 16-06.00

Devante Davis, TJ, 49-04.25

Jermaine Authorlee, 200, 21.60

Jake Hervey, 3000, 9:07.62

Samantha Taylor, Shot Put, 44-00.50

Kaitlin Petrillose, PV, 13-00.00

Taylor Houston, 200, 24.69

Chrishuna Williams, 400, 55.45

Katie Ruhala, 3000, 10:29.50

Kayla Savoie, 60H, 8.76

with all governing bodies at the

local, state and national levels.

Thus, the purposes of this

association are:

1. To study and initiate

proposed rules changes and

make recommendations to

the appropriate

organizations;

2. To provide educational

avenues for coaches,

officials, and athletes via

published materials and the

annual clinic;

3. To recognize student-

athletes and coaches

through an awards and

[cont’d on page 5]

From the President

Last month USA Today published an article looking back on 2010, declaring it

to be The Year Technology Replaced Talking. In many ways, the increased use

and popularity of social networking, texting, web-browsing, constantly check-

ing email, and smart phones has made technology the center of our attention.

Others have taken it another step saying 2010 was the year we stopped talking

to each other.

Fortunately for track & field coaches and athletes, these claims of impersonal contact and negative effects of

technology could not be farther from the truth. Personal interaction and direct communication are inherent in

the ways we work together to excel on the track and in the field of play.

But that is not to say we do not know good technology when we see it; in fact, technology has only improved

the way we teach, practice and compete. Remember the days before all-weather tracks, fully automatic tim-

ing systems, meet management software, aluminum hurdles, or carbon-fiber vaulting poles?

New ideas and technology have benefited us in many ways and will continue to do so. TTFCA is at the fore-

front of this, helping with education, resources and innovation in new ways to promote and develop our sport.

We are bringing coaches together throughout the state of Texas.

See you on the track!

Mike Sheaner

Pole Vault Tip of the Month—Bruce Caldwell, XLogic Sports / ESSX Poles

How to Move to a Stiffer Pole

Moving to a stiffer pole rather than a longer one is based on where you are! I only suggest that you move to a longer pole after you have exhausted the shorter pole stiffness by 15-20lbs and have jumped over the hand hold of your grip. Then moving to a longer pole keeps you on one stiffer than your weight! When to move to a stiffer pole: If you are on a pole rated at or 10lbs over your weight

You are jumping at or over your grip by 6-12 inches

Making the jump to a longer pole may be tough! Especially if you do not have the luxury of having poles 2.2 lbs or 4.4 lbs apart. In this case, a good trick for moving up to stiffer sticks is as follows: You pr’ed on the stick you are on now and if you move your grip down 1 fist and take about 3-5 jumps at this grip, the pole will feel stiffer.

Then move to the stiffer pole by at least 2.2 to 6.6 lbs and return to the original grip or slightly higher, it should be easier to mange.

What you are doing is experiencing a stiffer pole with the lower grip on the pole that you are use too and the transition feels very similar when you make the move! Check out Magnus Von Jomyr of Sweden, a vaulter who moved to a stiffer pole rather than a longer one and jumped with better form and higher! 4.35m: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=496255978149

4.5om: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=497657853149 Keep flying high!

Reminder

Coaches, please send schedules so that as many meets as possible can be listed on the TTFCA

website. Please send meet results and athlete / coach accomplishments to ttfca@hotmail.com—

for meets, please indicate FAT or HH as well as any relevant weather information.

Andrew Akens - North Mesquite - UT-San Antonio (throws)

Jillian Anderson - Atascocita - Texas A&M (middle distance)

Will Antkowiak - Brenham - University of Texas (distance)

Rachel Baptista - Austin High - University of Colorado (distance)

Travis Barclay - Boerne High - Texas A&M (distance)

Taylor Beer - Round Rock McNeil - University of Houston (distance)

Brandon Blanchard - Kennedale - University of Texas-Arlington (high jump /

hurdles)

Beth Blinds - Kennedale - University of North Texas (distance)

Devin Bogert - Tomball - Texas A&M - Javelin

Jordan "Bo" Burgess - Kennedale - Texas Tech University (sprints / hurdles)

Gregory Coleman - San Antonio Warren - Texas A&M (hurdles)

Stephen Cumbee - Killeen - Wayland Baptist (distance)

Jean Deason - St. Anthony - Texas A&M (throws)

Taylor De La Rosa - Mission - McNeese State University (distance)

Emily Dunn - San Antonio FEAST - University of Tulsa (distance)

Janessa Dunn - San Antonio FEAST - University of Tulsa (distance)

Sheroid Evans - Fort Bend Dulles - University of Texas (sprints)

Meron Fessahaie - Richardson Lake Highlands - Rice University (distance)

Nia Fluker - Christway Academy - Clemson University (sprints)

Randy Forest - Fort Bend Willowridge - University of Houston (sprints)

Johanna Galloway - Decatur - Texas A&M (distance)

Brea Garrett - Arlington Martin - Texas A&M (throws)

Brian Gohlke - The Woodlands College Park - Oklahoma State (distance)

Aiken Graham - Round Rock Westwood - Texas A&M (hurdles)

Kierra Hamilton - DeSoto - Kansas State (sprints)

Sydney Hampton - Houston Memorial - UTexas-Arlington (distance)

Clifton Harlin - FW Country Day - Texas A&M (pole vault)

Kelsey Hermes - Lindsay - Texas A&M (distance)

Carlos Hernandez - El Paso Franklin - University of Nebraska (high jump)

Stephanie Hernandez - Huffman-Hargrave - Lamar University (distance)

Keshawn Hill - Klein - (jumps)

Carli Hinkle - Round Rock McNeil - Concordia University (sprints / hurdles)

John Horton - Copperas Cove - University of Houston (jumps)

Taylor Houston - Fort Bend Elkins - South Plains College (sprints)

Kara Hyde - Forney - University of Colorado (hurdles)

Kwame Jackson - Kingwood Park - Xavier University-Louisiana (distance)

Zahri Jackson - Kingwood Park - Xavier University-Louisiana (distance)

Bailey Johnson - Dripping Springs - Oklahoma State University (sprints / hur-

dles)

David Johnson - Spring - University of Missouri (hurdles)

Rachel Johnson - Plano - Baylor University (distance)

Phillip Jones - West Orange-Starke - Texas A&M (hurdles)

Brennym Kaelin - Cypress Falls - Oklahoma Christian University (distance)

Kim Kirby - Coppell - Baylor (distance)

Carly Kitts - Midlothian - UTSA (distance)

Marissa Lee - Austin James Bowie - University of Texas (distance)

Craig Lutz - Flower Mound Marcus - University of Texas (distance)

Margo Lyons - The Woodlands - Texas A&M (distance)

Mike Menefield - Big Spring - University of Arkansas (jumps)

Kelsey Miller - Katy Cinco Ranch - Texas A&M (middle distance)

Brianna Mills - DeSoto - Youngstown State University (sprints)

Kenneth Minkah - DeSoto - Texas A&M (sprints / hurdles)

Hillary Montgomery - Klein - Texas A&M (distance)

Aly Nielson - Colleyville Heritage - Oregon State (distance)

Sarah Pena - Cypress Fair - Sam Houston State University (distance)

Kaitlin Petrillose - Round Rock McNeil - University of South Dakota

(pole vault)

Michaela Palu - San Antonio Marshall - Texas Tech (high jump)

Mark Pinales - Round Rock Stony Point - University of Texas

(distance)

Hillary Raemsch - Bastrop - Tarleton State University (distance)

Dylan Richards - Port Neches-Groves - Texas A&M (high jump)

Jake Roberts - Argyle - Texas A&M (distance)

Dalton Rowan - Oak Ridge - Texas A&M (throws)

Aaron Scott - Denton Ryan - University of Texas (sprints)

Bronte Smith - Spring - University of Memphis (sprints / hurdles)

Lauren Sullivan - Round Rock NcNeil - University of North Texas

(distance)

Chelsey Sveinsson - The Greenhill School - Stanford (middle dis-

tance / distance)

Corie Telfer - Round Rock McNeil - University of North Texas

(distance)

Kyle Thompson - Killeen Harker Heights - University of Texas

(middle distance)

Kyle Thompson - Argyle - Texas Tech University (pole vault / mul-

tis)

Mykkele Thompson - San Antonio Stevens - University of Texas

(sprints / jumps)

Philip Todd - Highland Park-Dallas - University of Virginia (distance)

Jonathan Turner - Corpus Christi Carroll - Texas A&M (sprints /

jumps)

Ronald Vaughn - Mesquite - United States Naval Academy (middle

distance)

Chrishuna Williams - DeSoto - University of Arkansas (sprints)

Jamal Williams - North Mesquite - Xavier University-Louisiana

(distance)

These are the commitments available at press time.

For more recruiting information, check the TTFCA

website @ ttfca.com.

CLASS of 2011

3. ...scholarship program;

4. To recognize prominent contributors to the growth of track and field in the state

of Texas through induction into the Texas Track & Field Coaches Association Hall

of Fame;

5. To develop camaraderie among coaches, officials and athletes in an atmosphere

conducive to sportsmanship;

6. To promote track and field through media channels and facilitate media

awareness of area meets, competitions and achievements by Texas teams and

individuals.

T TF C A M i s s io n S t a teme n t , c o n t ’d

It’s never too early to mark your

calendar: next year’s Track &

Field Coaches Clinic of Texas is

January 6-7, 2012. We’re already

planning an incredible lineup of

speakers and TTFCA Hall of

Fame candidates. Come join us

at the Crowne Plaza-Addison

near the Galleria for a fabulous

two days.

Q&A with Michael Blackwood, Celina Assistant T&F Coach, Former Olympian

Q. As a kid growing up in Jamaica, how did your training compare to kids

today in North Texas?

A. As a kid growing up in Jamaica, I did a variety of sports which includ-

ed cricket, football (soccer) and track. When I compare my track training

to kids in north Texas, training in Jamaica is much more difficult and

poses a greater challenge because I did not have the luxury of a good

weight room or track. 99% of the kids in Jamaica train on a grass track

which makes the workouts more intense.

Q. What is your fondest professional track & field memory?

A. My fondest track & field memory would have to be during the 2000

Summer Olympic Games in Sydney when I walked out on the track for

the 4x400m finals. This was an electrifying moment with a

crowd of about 100 thousand people chanting and the camera lights

flashing all over the stadium.

Q. Much has been made in the media about the success of Jamaican

sprinters on the world stage ... is there a unique training program to

develop sprinters?

A. Yes, we do have a training system in place for our athletes. Track and

field in Jamaica is a cultural thing; we live and breathe track. It all starts

when boys and girls race each other on the street to find out who is the

fastest kid on the block. This practice takes place all over the island and

then a coach will discover you and coach you through high school. The

success of our athletes is just a culmination of what has gone on for

more than 40 years. We have many Olympics and World track and field

Champions, like Donavon Bailey and Linford Christie although they rep-

resent other countries. I think it has a lot to do with genetics and the

fact the Jamaica has mastered how to cultivate someone into a world

class athlete.

Q. What's Usain Bolt really like?

A. Usain Bolt—he is a down to earth guy who literally loves to dance.

Q. You have two young children ... do you see track in their future?

A. Actually, soon to be 3 children; we are expecting a girl in March.

Yes, my wife and I certainly see track in their future. It’s hard to envi-

sion our lives without it in some type of capacity.

Q. You're now teaching and coaching at the high school level at Celina

- what attracted you to coaching? Do you want to coach at the colle-

giate or professional level?

A. I just love the idea of being able to work with young people. I just

want to pass along what I have learned and experienced throughout

my career. I want to help my athletes reach their best potential or at

least set them on the right path. In regards to coaching at a higher

level, if the right opportunity presented itself, I would definitely look

into it.

Q. You competed in track & field at the highest level, yet the majority

of kids you coach will never compete past high school. What advice

do you have for them while competing in high school?

A. While many high kids will not run at the collegiate level or in the

Olympics, my advice for them would be to shoot for the stars in what-

ever goals they set for themselves and just strive to be the best they

can be and never give up hope. So, maybe they will never reach that

next level, but it doesn’t hurt to have dreams and aspirations.

Q. Can you provide a track bio of yourself, high lighting some of your

major accomplishments?

A. I was born in Jamaica. While I was growing up, I was very athletic. I

played cricket, soccer and ran track. In high school I ran track and field

and later received a track scholarship to attend the University of New

Orleans. After one year at the University of New Orleans, I transferred

to the University of Oklahoma... My dreams came to fruition and I was

a very successful student athlete because of the goals I set for myself

and the wonderful teachers I had along the way... I took my dreams

further by becoming a 3-time Olympian. I ran professionally for over

10 years and I retired after the summer season in 2009.