Guest Speaker: Bill Sheskey discussed the past, present, and future of track & field in a most informative and entertaining manner with the 200+ coaches. (photo by Daniel McCauley)
Sheskey founded gatfxc.com back in 1999 and admired how MileSplit has refined the site. (photo by Daniel McCauley)
A snowy, icy weekend in Atlanta did not stop more than 200 high school track and field and cross country coaches from descending on Atlanta Track Club's new headquarters for the Georgia Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Clinic. It was Atlanta Track Club's first time hosting the event. "We wanted to bring together some of the sport's best minds to help Georgia's best and brightest coaches teach, encourage and inspire the state's next generation of runners, jumpers and throwers," said Rich Kenah, Atlanta Track Club's executive director.
Pictured above Left to right: Front Row -- Zach Smith, Tripp Smith, Andrew Begley, Amy Begley Back row: Bill Sheskey, Dr. Perry Julien, Jeff Hartwig, John Godina, Loren Seagrave, Mike Goss, Mike Judge, Krista Austin, Johnny Seabrooks. Not Pictured: Ian Dube. (photo by ATC)
Guests at this year's clinic had an opportunity to hear from experts on all aspects of the sport. Speakers included Nutritionist Krista Austin, Atlanta Track Club Coaches Amy Yoder Begley and Andrew Begley, Georgia State Jumps Coach Ian Dube, World Champion Shot Putter John Godina, Olympic Pole Vaulter Jeff Hartwig, 2013 National High School Coach of the Year Mike Judge, Podiatrist Dr. Perry Julien, Olympic Sprint Coach Loren Seagrave, Olympic Strength and Conditioning Coaches Zach and Tripp Smith and the NCAA's Executive Director of Enforcement Mike Zonder. The guest speaker was Bill Sheskey, a legendary Atlanta track and cross country coach for whom Atlanta Track Club's Male High School Runner of the Year is named
AAAAAA Cross Country / Committee Chair Andy Christie of Mill Creek presented his research/options concerning the State XC Championships. (photo by Daniel McCauley)
Treasurer Cathi Monk of Pope presented the details of the 2016 GATFXCCA budget.
(photo by Daniel McCauley)
Johnny Seabrooks went over Rules changes during the GHSA Rules Clinic.
(photo by Daniel McCauley)
On a day where the conditions kept most runners inside, high school coaches were prepping for their next season with a series of fifty-minute sessions on everything from long jump technique to the latest advances in technology in the sport. Seagrave, whose client list includes over 50 Olympic medal winners, even threw in some cold weather advice for those who might try to sprint in the sub-freezing temperatures. "Make sure your warm up is active and continuous. Only take off enough clothes to get your full range of motion, or just go indoors," he joked.
Loren Seagrave spoke on developing sprint training plans. (photo by ATC)
Mizuno's Bianca Martin demonstrated perfect balance under the expert eye of ATC Coach Amy Begley.
(photo by Daniel McCauley)
Also on hand at the clinic were representatives for Mizuno, the official footwear and apparel sponsor of Atlanta Track Club, Rekortan, a company that makes all-weather tracks, and BSN Sports which specializes in team uniforms.
Bianca Martin of the ATC Elite Team demonstrates one more exercise that keeps her in front of her competition.
(photo by Daniel McCauley)
The Georgia Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Clinic has been historically held at area high schools, but Atlanta Track Club's new facility with spacious conference rooms, an indoor track, and a pole vault pit made it the perfect venue for this year's event. The Club has supported high school track and cross country since its inception more than 50 years ago. In its early years, Atlanta Track Club's main mission was to honor the area's outstanding high school athletes. "All the world class clinicians, Atlanta Track Club and all the great coaches made the clinic beyond awesome," said Matt Henson, Georgia Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association President (GATFXCCA).
Perry H. Julian, DPM, discussed treating and preventing foot injuries, lower extremity injury prevention and treatment with a full house. (photo by Daniel McCauley)
GATFXCCA President Matt Henson of Parkview addressed the coaches during the annual meeting.
(photo by Daniel McCauley)
As a part of the clinic, the GATFXCCA hosted its annual member meeting highlighting topics such as 2015-16 budget, two different cross country proposals to GHSA, a survey of concerns for track and field going into the new classifications, and new initiatives by the association.
Coaches Mike Demarest of Parkview, Mike Beaudreau of Hebron Christian, and GATFXCCA Secretary Travis Gower of Walton record the demonstrations to share with their teams. (photo by Daniel McCauley)
USATF GA will be sponsoring a 'Meet of Champions' after the State Meets this Outdoor Season. Pictured is Throw1deep guru Mike Judge. (photo by Daniel McCauley)
How many guys are fortunate enough to have hurdles inside their office - ATC Executive Director Rich Kenah does! (photo by Daniel McCauley)
About Atlanta Track Club- Atlanta Track Club is a nonprofit committed to creating an active and healthy Atlanta. Through running and walking, Atlanta Track Club motivates, inspires and engages the community to enjoy a healthier lifestyle. With more than 24,000 members, Atlanta Track Club is the second largest running organization in the United States. In addition to the AJC Peachtree Road Race (peachtreeroadrace.org) -- the largest 10K running event in the world, the Publix Georgia Marathon, Atlanta 10 Miler and Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon, Atlanta Track Club directs more than 30 events per year. Through the support of its members and volunteers, Atlanta Track Club also maintains a number of community initiatives including organizing and promoting the Kilometer Kids youth running program to metro Atlanta youth, honoring high school cross country and track and field athletes through Atlanta Track Club's All-Metro Banquets and supporting the Grady Bicycle EMT program. For more information on Atlanta Track Club, visit atlantatrackclub.org.