|
|
|
|
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Run With It
Greater Reading, PA
|
|
|
By: Rebecca J. Simmons, VYPE
|
|
Linda Slafkovski has figured out a thing or two about coaching. She may have retired from teaching physical education at the elementary level, but she's hardly retired from athletics. In her 37th year as the Governor Mifflin girls track coach, she's racked up an impressive number of titles and achievements
|
"It's a Team. We rely on depth. We might not have the gold medals, but we'll have our success."
|
|
|
What is your approach with high school kids?
They know I am very upfront with everything. I am very straightforward. I expect that they represent the school well, because they are wearing a Governor Mifflin uniform, because it’s a privilege and that is where they go to school. It’s part of their job. Number one they’re a student, and number two they’re an athlete. We have fun, because they should enjoy what they are doing. You can make practice fun, yet keep it serious. I’m a kid at heart, but they also know where I draw the line, and I always keep communication open.
How do you keep it fun?
When they are actually doing the workouts, in between, we keep things light. It helps take their minds off of all the hard work they are doing. Another thing is you let the athletes think they have a choice in what their workout is. Over time, they figure it’s what the coach wanted it to be anyway. (laughs)
Do you think your approach works?
We approach track as a team sport. It is a team. We rely on depth. We might not have the gold medals, but we’ll have our success. We attribute that to the entire team contributing. The girls know every point counts. When they compete against each other, we downplay that and stress that it’s important they beat someone in another uniform, not someone on their own team. You should respect their opinion and input, because sometimes, as a coach, you might start to develop tunnel vision. By letting your athletes have some input, you’ll have some pleasant surprises.
Were you a runner?
We didn’t have track at Mifflin. (She graduated in ’64.) I was the coach the first year it started in 1972. I was on the first softball team at Governor Mifflin.
What is the most important thing to teach a young runner?
You have to get in condition and be aware of your body mechanics. General conditioning, stretching and core exercise. You need to work on agility and combine these to work on raw talent. It might take until their senior year to be on the varsity 4 by 100 relay. It doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time to develop. When the first Governor Mifflin state medalist Jenn Comtois (‘90) was a ninth grader, the staff didn’t know what to do with her. She had talent, but it was very raw and had she had not put the work into it, it wouldn’t have happened. Outstanding track performers can be developed. There are surprises.
What’s the hardest race to run?
I think the 300 hurdles are brutal because it’s eight obstacles out there and it’s a full sprint. It’s a grueling race.
What do you expect for the season ahead?
We have a strong nucleus coming back from last year’s county championship team and we have a very strong freshman class. Returning from a strong field at districts last year we have: Juniors Courtney and Mallory White and Lindsay Topper run sprints and middle distance. Senior Desiree Lash runs middle distance. Competing in high jump are seniors Nicole Moore and Katie Ness (who also does pole vault). Junior Mary Swoyer is a distance runner and sophomore Rena Heim throws. And we have sophomore sprinter Ashley Williams.
What other track programs are strong competitors this year?
Wilson and Schuylkill Valley always have good teams with strong traditions. They are well-balanced teams and well-coached. They have a similar approach to the team concept like we do. That is why their programs have been successful.
|
|
| No comments added! Click [ add a comment ] to be the first! |
|
|
|
|
Dalton Vanneman
Junior Dalton Vannemann is a double threat on the lacrosse field and the
football field at Daniel Boone High...
More 
Archives
|
|
|
 ™
|
|
A collection of this month's best action photos.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Where Are They Now…..
by: Rebecca J. Simmons
Peter Shollenberger fell in love with the game of baseball as a little boy. From t-ball to little league, it...
More
Archives
|
|
 ™
|
|
Twin Valley Ice Hockey
by: Cathy Coffman
Just five years ago, the Twin Valley Ice Hockey Club was formed on a small farm pond in Elverson. That year, 15 skaters laced up...
More
|
Archives
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
®
