I cannot thank God enough for allowing me the opportunity to have the best of both worlds right now. I'm only 21 years old and am getting to compete at a high level of competition at the Division 1 level and getting to coach multiple national qualifier athletes at the same time.
This past weekend we had 11 athletes compete in the USATF Missouri Valley Regional track meet in Lawrence, Ks. 10 of those athletes placed in the top 5 and will advance to the USATF Jr. Olympic National Championships in Wichita, Ks July 26 - July 31. The following athletes will be competing then:
Sam Hankins : Shot Put, Turbo Jav, Triathlon
Jamie Hankins: Race Walk
Raul Garibay: Discus, Turbo Jav
Ethan Gruber: Shot Put, Turbo Jav, Long Jump
Hunter Loewen: Javelin, 4x8, 4x4
Tyson Loewen: Shot Put, Discus, Turbo Jav
Luke Wichmann: Turbo Jav, 800, 1500
Paul Wichmann: Shot Put
John Haug: Triple Jump
Maggie Fischer: Triple Jump
Sam Hankins and Ethan Gruber both have a great shot at winning their age divisions at the National Championship.
As I stood in the 100 degree and got a real good sunburn I couldn't help but smile. My favorite moments of the track meet were:
1. Watching my kid sister Natalie PR in the shot put and getting to coach her.
2. Hunter Loewen asking me if I knew anything about the javelin and then coaching him to a 20 foot PR in the javelin.
3. Watching Sam Hankins launch the turbo javelin 113' as a 9 year old.
4. Getting back into the circuit on the other side of the fence. I think coaching is my niche more so than competing but as I was told by many people who recognized me this weekend. I am pretty darn good at both. So for now I'm going to enjoy the best of both worlds and soak up every moment.
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