Coaches Spotlight- Jason Cage
1- Congrats on having a great regular season. When did you first become interested in Track and Field?
I became interested in Track and Field in the 9th grade.
2- Did you compete in HS or College as an athlete? or another Sport?
I ran for Banneker High School in the 90's when there was a indoor track meet at the GA Dome LOL!!! I also ran junior college track for Meridian Community College and my last 2 years I ran for Southeastern Louisiana University
3- Describe your journey from novice Coach to your Head Coaching position now.
I began coaching during my last year of college at Saint Thomas Aquinas in Hammond Louisiana. I volunteered coaching there for cross country and track and we won 2002 Cross Country State Championship. I enjoyed my time in Louisiana (they have the best seafood). After graduating from college and leaving Louisiana, I returned home to GA. I was a volunteer assistant coach at Westlake for the 2005-2006 season and the next year I was hired as the girls head track coach at Westlake during the fall of 2006.
4- How important is it to have the full support of the AD and resources available to succeed?
Having A full supportive AD is vital.... In addition, having a supportive principal is very important... Our principals over the last couple of years have been very supportive to our track team. Our principal Dr. Rivera and our AD Mr. Adams have been to a couple of our meets this year and Dr. Rivera drove all the way down to Albany, GA last year to the state meet and he was their to celebrate with the team.
5- What are some of the challenges in building a successful program?
Some of the challenges in building a successful program is that sometimes everybody on the track team thinks they are a sprinter; however things are getting better and kids eventually know their role; whether it be running the anchor leg on the 4x4 B team or running the 3200. Regardless of what they run, they have to remember that scoring 8 points in the 3200 is the same as scoring 8 points for a 4x4 b team.
6- Do you have a supportive Track Booster Club?
Yes
7- Has Middle Track the past few years in your feeder schools helped contribute to the HS program's success?
In Fulton County the middle school kids only run one meet which is the Fulton County Middle School Championship. In the future I hope middle school kids are allowed to run more meets and allow 8th graders to compete at the high school varsity level.
8- What are your program's Goals every season? County/Region title, State Championship?
Our goal every year is to win the State Championship on the girls and boys team.
9- Assess your team's Region meet and the opporunities faced at Sectionals to advance.
Our team competed well at the region meet. Our goal was to qualify our team to the sectionals and they did what they needed to do. It will be some stiff competition at sectionals; however our goal is to qualify people for the state meet.
10- What advancements should the GHSA make to bring our Sport on par with the 'other' 47 states ?
Have the girls and boys state meet together in Atlanta, which will give our Sport more press and allow fans and athletes friends to come and see them compete.
Bonus- What has been among your favorite accomplishments for the school you now coach at?
My favorite accomplishment is seeing the athletes get track or academic scholarships and seeing them graduate from college.