Coach Sholars
1) When you get athletes like Darrion who have long outdoor seasons through the State meet, how do you approach their training so that they can stay healthy and be ready to compete all the way through the end of July?
I try and respect the work they’ve done and not re invent the wheel. Sometimes less is more so I try and be a quality vs quantity coach. I try and watch them through the season and see what technical things we can do to assist their natural ability. With Flowers it was just talking and teaching him how to execute the phases of the race.
2) You’ve had a number of outstanding athletes come through Hallmark Track Club. What it is it about the program that brings out the best in those talented individuals?
Treating them like they’re individuals and creating programs that address their particular needs, and keeping them fresh and working on the mental part of their event.
3) What have you learned from coaching those athletes that you now apply to your work with Darrion and the next generation of all star sprinters coming up through Hallmark?
That you have to earn their trust and that I continue to learn from them, not just them from me. This is their time, and to make sure they feel that it's about them and their growth.
4) Outside of Darrion and the 17-18 4x100m, what are the other goals for Hallmark Track club at USATF JO’s?
To continue to develop young men who are confident and prepared to use the lessons of athletics in their life and their community.
5) After competing well at Region 12, what are the things you’ve been working on with the athletes to be ready to compete for National Titles in Jacksonville?
More of the technical aspects of their races and trying to keep them fresh and sharp after such a long year.
6) What's your message been to Darrion leading up to JO's to keep him focused knowing that he's the top seed and has the target on his back?
Just reminding him that he is working on getting ready for college. That he's strong and has amazing top end speed, and he just has to execute his race and that will be enough. We don't talk a lot about the other athletes, just his race strategy and that he was born to do this. He’s a great competitor.
7) With a big meet like JO's with some of the best talent in the country, how do you measure success? What would need to happen for you and Hallmark Track Club to be able to leave Jacksonville satisfied with how you performed?
That they compete like they are capable. We want to come in and rise to the occasion. There’s nothing like competing at this level. I want them to leave here knowing that they did their best. We have a saying " we don't come to the show we come to be the show “. So we want to be in the final making a run for the top spot.
8) Talk about the group of coaches at Hallmark Track Club and how they play into the success the club has had.
Our coaches are very selfless. They put the program and kids before their egos, it's about the kids with our coaches. No one acts as though they are perfect and we all try to grow and learn each year. We try and hold to the basic concept that the club was founded on. We are a family.
9) How important is it for the younger generation of athletes to get involved early in summer youth track?
Getting involved early is good if they are being taught to love the sport and being part of a group first. Them learning to work and competing comes second. If not done correctly, we can loose kids because parents and coaches take it too serious. So young is good if we don't forget that they are young and at first they just want approval and to have fun.
10) Lastly, what has it been like to coach Darrion? If you had to sum up who he is as an athlete and a person, how would you describe him?
I'm proud to be associated with Mr Flowers as I call him. He is very mature and respectful young man. A true competitor that will compete at the drop of a dime. A soldier if you will. He’s great with the kids and parents love him. He’s quiet, but his actions say everything. I could beat you at anything if I had ten of him.