Travis Gower Interview-Girl’s State Champions
Your team had some injuries this year. How did you keep the girl’s positive and focused?
We definitely were bit by the injury bug this season. Both Alexa Womack and Kelsey Taylor from the team that ran at state missed training time and meets during the year as well as a number of other athletes that affected our depth. However, whenever an injury came up, we did all we could to keep them going. Lots of time in the pool, on the bike, on the elliptical, and trips to the training room, doctor, or chiropractor kept them going. Those that were healthy and training just knew that they had to take care of their training and be ready to step up when their teammates couldn’t run.
Was it a goal all year to go for a State title, or was it something you started talking about later in the season?
Our goal is always to be on the state podium. We said that from the summer on. We knew that if you’re on the podium, then you have a chance to be the winning team. The team stressed all year that we could only take care of ourselves. We couldn’t control what other teams did, but if we ran at our best, then other teams would have to run at a very high level to beat us.
What has it meant to you to follow in the footsteps of your father and Coach Tom Williams and continue the success at Walton?
I’m very proud that we have been able to carry on the tradition of Walton High School Cross Country. We definitely could not have done it without Coach Williams, who coached many of the juniors and seniors on this team and laid the foundation for this title. I know I could not have done this without everything I learned from my dad and the tradition he started at Walton.
Besides State, what were some of the highlights of the season?
There are so many to choose from. The JV girls sweeping the top 10 spots at two meets (UGA and Region), a county title, and region title are some of the on course accomplishments we will remember. However, we had many off course highlights. The team had a great time bonding through team dinners, the team trip to the beach, dress-up days at practice, and the out of town trip to Alabama. The girls and guys are just so fun to be around and became much more than a team this year, they really are a family and that is fun to watch as a coach.
Who were some of the key leaders on the team (not just on the course, but off as well)?
So many to choose from. Danielle Boyle and Miko de Bruyn were our captains and they did a great job of leading by example. Mara Canning really stepped up this year after being an alternate at state the last two years and with Alexa’s injury, she became a great front runner for the team. Alexa was tough as nails and did everything she could just to get back to 85 – 90% and able to run at region and state. She really came through, even if it wasn’t the way we all expected when she started out the year as our #1 girl. Maddie Seiloff is the emotional spark and gave a great pre-state speech. Overall, I was proud of every girl on how they developed and helped this team.
Can you describe this year’s State Meet experience, both during the race and after?
With the boys being first, and running really well, I didn’t have much time to get nervous for the girls before their race. I just checked on them at the starting line and made sure they were good. Everyone was focused, but did not seem too stressed. During the race, I thought we might have gotten out a bit fast (especially Mara), but everyone did look good the first mile, nobody looked like they were pressing. At halfway, I thought we were winning and started counting North Gwinnett, Collins Hill, Brookwood, and Harrison runners. As we got later in the race, I knew we were on the podium, but it was very close. We just tried to get the girls to focus on whoever they could catch the last part of the race. After the race, I don’t think the girls had any idea they had won. I told them all they did great and that we just have to see how the points came out. When I told them they won, it was one of the coolest moments I’ve ever had as a coach. They were so excited and shocked, it was a lot of fun.
Your boys also had a great State Meet, going from unranked to 5th, only 2 points out of 4th place. What are your thoughts on how they performed, especially for such a young team?
I couldn’t be prouder. In August, I don’t think anyone thought we could really finish that high up. We only had 2 runners from the 7 that ran at state last year back. However, we had some young runners make huge jumps this year and our seniors really came through when it mattered most. David Forman and Shane Hobbs did a great job taking care of their younger teammates and sophomores Brian Sullivan and RJ Torres made some huge jumps from last year. With some talented juniors and freshmen, the team proved to be much deeper than even the coaching staff expected. Hopefully next year we can get them back on that podium.
Looking forward, what is the outlook for next year?
We loose some great leaders in Mara, Danielle, Miko, Emily Boyle, David, Shane, and Mason Upshaw, but they have done a great job of preparing the next group to lead. The girls are very deep and could make a run again. We will go in with the same goal, be on the podium and finish as high up as possible. The boys will hopefully take that next step. It won’t be easy. The girls teams from Brookwood, Harrison, Milton, North Gwinnett, Collins Hill, and I’m sure a few others will be very good again next year. The boys will have to make some big gains to join the ranks of Brookwood or some of the other Gwinnett schools, but we’ll do the best we can to get there.