This year the girls track team has experienced a change in staff. While head coach Chad Wlodarek has returned for another season, coaches Rachelle Dinwiddie and Nicole Jones parted with the team. This left Wlodarek scrambling to find replacement coaches for the girls. “I emailed ball state students and former hurdlers to find new coaches. I thought that I had two lined up, but plans changed,” he sad. Luckily he was able to find a Burris alumnus who was interested in coaching. “I contacted Kelcy Hartley who ran for the team for her four years at Burris. She expressed interest in coaching and I originally had her as an assistant’s assistant but when Jones left to coach at Yorktown, she stepped up to the plate to coach distance,” Wlodarek said. When asked about why she decided to help coach, Hartley said “I’m just trying to open new windows and opportunities for down the road.” She said that she really loved an missed track and is excited to see the team succeed. The distance girls have adjusted well so far to their new coach. “I was frustrated when Coach Jones decided not to come back, but I understand her situation. Hartley is a great replacement though because she makes us work hard, but lets us have fun too,” junior distance runner Maya Halley said.
Hartley makes up for one of the missing coaches, but Wlodarek was unable to find another coach to fill the spot for Dinwiddie. “This is the first year that I haven’t had more than one assistant. I usually have two or three,” he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment