Coach Spotlight: Matt Gutridge (Grafton HS) Stacey Nobles Apr 27, 2010

Coach Gutridge, out of Grafton High School, names the people he’s met through running as the greatest gift he received from the sport. His high school coach, Larry Hinders, first convinced him to begin running on the team. At the time running was the one weakness Gutridge consistently displayed in his other sports, but with the unwavering motivation and confidence of Coach Hinders, Gutridge succeeded on the track. This has encouraged Coach Gutridge to “look everywhere for athletes.” While others may focus on the most promising incoming freshman, his attention is also shared with the lacrosse player who is only running to stay in shape. Now that lacrosse player is preparing for a running career in college. 

Coach Spotlight: Kyle Bishop (Atlee HS pole vault coach) Stacey Nobles Apr 14, 2010

Ever since Kyle Bishop, an 8^th grader with poor eyesight, raised his hand to try out for the pole vault and heard “you don’t look like a pole vaulter” from his neighbor he has had the determination to succeed. With this mental fortitude Bishop broke the school record and had been to the State Meet twice by the end of his high school career. After just two days of practice the boy who had mocked him quit, with no successes to take credit for. Bishop’s accomplishments display what he believes are the most important qualities in every pole vaulter, mental strength and being a calculated risk taker.

 

MileStat.com staff writer Stacey Nobles interviewed one of the state's best coaches in the very specialized event of the pole vault.  Atlee High School has been one of the Central Region's top track programs under the direction of head coach Jim Triemplar, which a good amount of their team's points in championship season is produced from one event consistently by vault coach Kyle Bishop and his crew of vaulters.

Coach Spotlight: Shane Guynn (Christiansburg HS) Stacey Nobles Apr 06, 2010

MileStat.com will be doing a weekly feature to recognize the many great and often underappreciated high school coaches in the state of Virginia. MileStat.com's newest staff member Stacey Nobles is a familar name to most and will be starting this new feature to the website.. Nobles won state titles in cross country and 3200 meters outdoors last year at Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach. She currently runs for James Madison University and will be doing weekly stories on coaches throughout the state of Virginia.

 

Photo by David Bradshaw

Shane Guynn, the track coach at Christiansburg High School, feels that if a coach is doing their job right they have a second full time job on their plate. He started at only 19 years of age and, although he is much more efficient with preparations now, he states one thing hasn’t changed: “the amount of time and energy I put into these kids.” His family would be quick to agree, noting the many sacrifices Shane has had to make because of his devotion to creating a successful program. This, however, does not hinder their endless support both now and throughout Shane’s childhood. He credits much of his competitive, aggressive qualities and passion for the sport to the heavy involvement of his father when he was younger. Read more...