Coaches Spotlight- Rob Blaszkiewicz
1- Congrats on having a great regular season. When did you first become interested in Track and Field?
Watching Jum Ryun and Kip Keino in the 1972 Olympics - Yes, I just "aged myself."
2- Did you compete in HS or College as an athlete? or another Sport?
Basketball and Tennis - I was an adult-onset runner who still competes today as a Masters Runner with the Atlanta Truck Club Competitive team.
3- Describe your journey from novice Coach to your Head Coaching position now
I always ran as a kid, but never competitively. Then at age 29 (1992) and 30 pounds ago, I entered a sprint triathlon and was hooked. I began to coach on a volunteer basis and after 12 years in managed health care, I went to UGA to pursue my Masters in Health and physical Education. At UGA, I taught track and field along with swimming classes and also received my USATF Level 1 certificatcation. Since 2000, I have been coaching and teaching all levels of children from elementary to high school students.
4- How important is it to have the full support of the AD and resources available to succeed?
I have worked with several AD's who had varying levels of support for our sport. My current AD at Shiloh, Mike Cammack, has been by far the most supportive AD I have ever worked for. I feel it takes a AD who recognizes that all sports can work with one another and one does not take priority over another.
5- What are some of the challenges in building a successful program?
Continuity and having coaches on the same page are always challenges at any program. At Shiloh this year, we are all new to the program and most of us have never worked with one another. We went through growing pains as our kids adjusted to new coaching styles and coaches adapted to an unfamiliar environment.
6- Do you have a supportive Track Booster Club?
Our booster club has limited resources and we are attempting to grow it in the future.
7- Has Middle Track the past few years in your feeder schools helped contribute to the HS program's success?
Yes and I hope that relationship grows even stronger.
8- What are your program's Goals every season? County/Region title, State Championship?
This year on the boys' side, we want to improve on last year's 5th place finish. With our girls, we hope to grow the program and qualify as many girls as possible to the state meet. In the future, the plan is to grow the program and be one of the better teams in one of the toughest counties and regions in the state.
9- Assess your team's Region meet and the challenges faced at Sectionals to advance.
Our plan is to simply "survive and advance." We need to get our top athletes to state minimizing the chance for injuries or mental errors
10- What advancements should the GHSA make to bring our Sport on par with the 'other' 47 states ?
Hosting a big Invite like Arcadia or building some type of Indoor facility would enhance Georgia's reputation.
Bonus- What has been among your favorite accomplishments for the school you now coach at?
I have been at Shiloh for less than one year. Our boys XC team made it to State this year for the first time in eight years. We surpassed our goal, by not only qualifying for State, but taking third at Region. On the track and field front, I hope our biggest accomplishment occurs at the State Meet on May 10th.