State Meet Comments from Coach P. Congratulations All-State Four by Eight!

Well we had to survive a three and 1/2 hour rain delay, move field events indoors, and experience another round of this insane weather, but we did it with flare! Here are my notes for our state qualifiers:

Josh Lawson: Pole Vault: Result: No Height.
--Josh, of all the people affected by the weather, you were affected the most. With a 12:00 p.m. weigh in, you were not able to jump until 6:30. The third flight got hit hard. I was impressed with you ability to stay focused. I'm proud of you effort throughout the season and very happy with the way you vaulted. You benefited from being here this weekend. This summer you will get to work with a pole vault coach (and hopefully a distance coach) and finally get the help and coaching I wish I could have provided. I know that my limitations limited your vaulting. With your attitude and dedication, I think you will experience a lot of success with the proper coaching. Keep your head up, unless you are practicing getting inverted! You'll be back with a purpose next year.

3200 Relay: Prelims: 8:00.09. Finals: 7:55.36: Result: 7th Place
--It is amazing how things seemed to work. In some ways we lucked out qualifying this season, but even getting here was a question until the final weeks of the season. Honestly, this was the event that I was most excited about. I thought it would start off with a trophy at the prep top times meet and go from there, but we were slow to develop. I felt like a revolving door. It took a while to get things in place, but the puzzle finally worked (I'll give thanks for that in a minute).

--Tyler Cann: Alternate. I know you felt like I was being nice bringing you, but you have shown me a lot this year. I wish they gave more than four medals, because you deserve one. Why? Let's put it this way: Think about kids and their parents. For some situations or conversations, you would always want you mom. Mothers can provide certain levels of comfort we all need. For some things you would prefer to have you father present (it would be gross to talk to mom about that ). See, as a coach there is only so much that I can do or say. Sometimes an athlete does not need a coach to try to motivate, encourage, or build back up. Sometimes people need a good friend. You, Tyler, were a great friend this weekend to your teammates. You were able to provide the extra support and help that they needed. You were a major part of this team. Also, Tyler deserves all of the credit for our relay order. By accident, Tyler led me to an All-State order. See Tyler, coaches can learn things, too.

--Daniel Mazar: Prelims: 2:03.2. Finals: 2:02.2. Daniel, I know that you are not happy with your times, but you have no idea how much you impressed you teammates and coaches. First off, you were the only AA Freshman Distance Runner to bring home an All-State Medal this season. That, in itself, should say enough. The fact that you finished both races even says more. A trip/stumble in prelims so early in a race can lead even the most gifted seniors to fall off the face of the earth. You kept us in contention with your guts. Double back to finals where you again get spiked/tripped and you kept us in the race again. That poise will help lead you to more great things. Also, running 16 seconds faster in the 800 between your 8th and 9th grade years is amazing. Great Job.

--Aaron Cole: Prelims: 1:59.3. Finals: 1:57.9. "Operation Cole was a success." That is the comment you left me on my State T-shirt. Yes it was, and not because of the times. See, you asked me what you could do to run faster (you wanted to be a 50.? in the 400). I knew I needed an 800 runner. You asked me what you needed to do. All I said was, "Join cross-country". The success was seeing the friendships and bonds you made, your maturity as an athete, the passion and intensity you brought to the distance program, a passion and intensity it was lacking. That is what made Operation Cole a success. Your 1:57.9 and 50.8 and All-State standing were just icing on the cake and the results of trust in the program, your stubborness and your willingness to reach your goals. This was one heck of a season for your first year of middle distance/distance running. Two things: 1) You are welcome. 2) (and more importantly) Thank you!

--Devon Dudding: Prelims: 2:00.7. Finals: 1:58.4. Devon, we have had great high points and some super low points in our three years. I know that things can get rough and with injuries comes a fear of more injuries and a loss of passion for running. I think you have been to that point too many times in your short career. I can honestly say that I may be most happy for you with this medal. You were so close so many times in middle school and I always felt like I could help you get over the hump. We have been close, but always seem to fall short. I was proud to see you gain some of that fire and passion back as the season progressed. I loved seeing you put it on the line and try to fight! I hope that this State Meet has rekindled the fire and helped destroy the demons! Congraulations.

--Eli Sweatt: Prelims: 1:56.7. Finals: 1:56.6. Two things stick out in my mind: Valerie Eli needs chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast before every meet the rest of his life and 1:58.04. Why 1:58.04? Because that makes your 1:56.7 in prelims so impressive. See, Eli came up so big for us in prelims, that only three runners in the open 800 run prelims actually ran faster than you! That's right, your time would have put you fourth going into finals, where 1:58.04 was the last qualifying time. Then, the next day, you were caught with 300 to go. I did not know which Eli we had, the unsure one or the fast one. You should incredible poise when you felt the pressure and started to move. When 10th place caught you with 300 to go, not only did you hold them off, but your kicked picked up two more places in the final 200 meters and a 7th place finish as a team. You looked great and battled. You competed. Guess what, the only Sweatt that shows up as All-State in the IHSA is someone by the name of ELI Sweatt. Congratulations on a great year. You showed a lot of growth and maturity throughout the season and have established yourself as one of the better 800 runners in the State. Congratulations.

I'm very proud of everyone. The medals are nice, but always remember your teammates and feelings. Remember the look of the track, the noise of the crowd, and the faces and embraces of track family and teammates! You all deserve it! Thank you for another memorable track season and state meet. Who would have thought three months ago that the combination of Daniel Mazar, Aaron Cole, Devon Dudding, and Eli Sweatt would equal All-State. Thank you and congratulations!

Coach P.

State Meet Itinerary

Itinerary for 2008 IHSA State Track Meet

Thursday, May22, 2008:

--Eat “A” Lunch.
--Arrive at locker room at 11:10.
--Vans depart EHS at 11:30.
--Arrive at Charleston at 2:30. Check in and get changed.
--Practice at the EIU track at 3:30.
--Shower and return to dorms by 5:00.
--Depart for dinner by 5:30.
--In the dorms, lights out by 10:30 (no cell phones after this time).

Friday, May 23, 2008:


--Wake up, shower and get dressed 7:30 a.m.
--Breakfast out at 8:00 a.m. (no later).
--Lawson weigh in at Southwest corner of the stadium at 12:00 p.m. Start time based on flight (we will find this out on Thursday).
--4 x 800 scheduled to start around 1:00 p.m.
--Leave for dinner around 5:00 p.m.
--Movie at 7:00 p.m.
--Return to EIU and lights out at 10:30.

Saturday, May 24, 2008.

--Wake up, shower and get dressed 7:30 a.m.
--Breakfast at 8:00 a.m.
--Pole vault weigh in at 10:00 a.m. (for finals).
--4 x 800 at 12:15 for A and 12:25 for AA (finals).
--Lunch/Dinner at 4:00.
--Return home approximately 8:00 p.m.

What to bring: You will get some bedding, but I would recommend bringing a pillow and a blanket. Make sure to pack practice clothes, a few changes of every day clothes, your spikes, running shoes, and uniform. Make sure to bring your hygiene products and you may want to bring a towel. Sometimes athletes will bring small (portable) televisions and videogame systems. Some of the meals and the movie will be paid for. You may want to bring some extra money for a t-shirt and snacks. If you need to call the coaching staff, Coach Patrylak can be reached at 618-567-5792 and Coach Wilson is at 618-401-2990. Good luck!

Sectional Results: Boys finish 6th at Springfield, Qualify in two events!

Congratulations to the Edwardsville Boys Track and Field Team for their 6th place finish at Friday's Springfield Lanphier Sectional. Many of the athletes had personal best performances and ended their seasons on a positive note. Placing for the Tigers were:

800 Meter Run :
5th Place: Devon Dudding: 2:01.4
6th Place: Eli Sweatt: 2:02.5

3200 Run:
4th Place: Chris Taglieri: 10:17

110 Hurdles:
4th Place: Malcolm Foster: 15.2

300 Hurdles:
6th Place: Malcolm Foster: 41.7

4 x 400 Relay:
4th Place: Dameon Morgan, Devon Dudding, Aaron Cole, Eli Sweatt: 3:28.8

OUR MEET CHAMPIONS AND STATE QUALIFIERS:

Pole Vault:
1st Place: Josh Lawson: 12'6"

4 x 800 Relay:
1st Place: Daniel Mazar, Aaron Cole, Devon Dudding, Eli Sweatt: 7:57.3

Congratulations to all team members and good luck at State for our state qualifiers.

Itinerary for IHSA Sectional Meet Friday

ITINERARY FOR IHSA SECTIONAL MEET ON 5/16/08
Springfield Lanphier High School
Springfield, IL
Meet starts @ 4:30 pm
BUS LEAVES AT 1:30 PM!! YOU WILL BE EXCUSED AFTER 5th HOUR! DO NOT BE LATE OR YOU WILL GET LEFT BEHIND!!

ORDER OF EVENTS
Field Events Start @ 4:30pm
PRELIMS- 100m, 110m, 200m start @ 5:30 pm
4x800 relay
4x100 relay
3200m
110 HH
100m
800m
4x200 relay
400m
300 IH
1600m
200m
4x400 relay
WHAT TO BRING TO THE MEET:
UNIFORM
SPIKES-SHOES- ¼”
WARM-UPS (WARM CLOTHES)-CHANGE OF CLOTHES
WATER-GATORADE-SNACKS (NO SODA OR SWEETS)

DIRECTIONS TO SPRINGFIELD LANPHIER HIGH SCHOOL
1: Start out going SOUTHEAST on CENTER GROVE RD toward SUGAR CREEK LN. 1.4 mi
2: Turn RIGHT onto TROY RD/IL-159. Continue to follow IL-159 S.2.0 mi
3: Turn LEFT to take the I-270 E ramp toward EFFINGHAM.0.0 mi
4: Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto ramp.0.2 mi
5: Merge onto I-270 E.2.5 mi
6: Merge onto I-55 N via EXIT 15B toward CHICAGO.78.6 mi
7: Take the CLEAR LAKE AVE/IL-97 W exit, EXIT 98B.0.2 mi
8: Merge onto I-72 W/US-36 W.0.1 mi
9: Stay STRAIGHT to go onto IL-97 W/E CLEAR LAKE AVE. Continue to follow IL-97 W.2.6 mi
10: Turn RIGHT onto I-55 BL/N 9TH ST.0.9 mi
11: Turn RIGHT onto N GRAND AVE E.0.1 mi
12: Turn LEFT onto N 11TH ST.0.0 mi
13: End at 1300 N 11th St Springfield, IL 62702
Estimated Time: 1 hour 34 minutes Estimated Distance: 88.66 miles

TEAM DINNER ON 5/15/08

**THE TEAM DINNER WILL NOT BE IN THE COMMONS, BUT IN ROOM D130**

The boys track team would like to have their last team dinner on Thursday May 15 at 5 pm in room D130. If you would like to help with the team dinner in any way please contact Coach Wilson by email at mwilson@ecusd7.org, or by phone at 401-2990. Thank you for everyone's help throughout the season. The coaches and the athletes greatly appreciate everyone's contributions they have made to the team.

Thanks again,

Coach Wilson