I may sound obessive

4/22/10 4:23 PM

The boys just left for the Drake Relays, and I couldn't be more jealous. I wish I was going so bad. Lolo Jones, one of the fastest women hurdlers in the world and also one of my idols, will be there running. There will also be other amazing Olympians there that I would do anything to go see run in person. My coach told me next year, my senior year, I can go. I cannot wait but I can't help but be envious of everyone else who will be there. That is an event I think every track athlete should experience. What better to see the best perform your events? Andrea Fabiano, an ex-UW-O hurdler and my best friend, will also be there running in the hurdles for Eastern Illinois. We lost Andrea last year to Eastern Illinois, and we as a team definitely have a hole to fill where she left. Not only was...

Dwindling numbers

4/19/10 6:41 PM

This weekend, we went to Augustana, Illinois, for a warm day of running, throwing and jumping. We did really well for only having about thirty girls left on the team. We are having a hard time keeping girls on the team, as usual, because some find that it is too hard for them to schedule in their day, and for others it may be because they are hurt. Unfortunately for Pat Ebel, the brand new woman's head coach, it's been a rough year of losing girls, none of which have been his fault. He is the best coach that I have ever had. He is so concerned with all of us athletes, and he really makes an effort to become friends with all of us. He is a tough coach who never expects less than the best. He makes every athlete feel important. I feel bad because I don't want this to discourage him as a...

Taking advice from Helen Keller

4/15/10 4:18 PM

We just had our second meet of outdoor season at Platteville on Saturday, and it went pretty well. All of the girls went in with a competitive attitude, and we ran, jumped, threw and hurdled very well. Our team is really working on our bonding skills and trying to get closer. Today in practice, O held a meeting and handed out a "teamwork" review sheet I made the night before. Basically it said that we could only be the greatest if we work together. I used the Helen Keller quote, "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." I wanted to emphasize to the girls the importance of teamwork. I wanted to talk about how we need to cheer for everyone while they are competing because it does make a difference. Everyone needs to work equally together to achieve...

Ah, good old jumping

3/30/10 4:38 PM

Today was the first day back from spring break, but it was easy to get back into the swing of things. Practice this week is going to very strange for all of us, and I hope it doesn't throw people off for our first outdoor meet this Friday at OSHKOSH! The women's team needs to work two high school track meets. Tonight (Monday) was the first, and it was pretty fun. I work the long and triple jump. It made me want to start jumping again. I haven't done it since last year and can't this year because that would be too hard on my legs with all the running. The other track meet we have to work is tomorrow, which won't be as long as tonight. I am excited for this weekend’s meet. With the week being weird with practices on our own for the next two days, I am nervous that everyone won't...

Nate S. getting me through Nationals

3/18/10 5:10 PM

Nationals were amazing. It was everything that I thought it would be. The stands were packed, and the track house was full of people screaming for those competing. I loved it. I wasn't really nervous when I was there because I went in with the mentality that it was just any other meet...just with very fast girls. Being out of state and away from all my friends I run with at practice, it was hard to keep my mind preoccupied. Luckily Nate Stymiest--my teammate and boyfriend--was there to run the men's distance medley relay. He kept reminding me that it is just another race and to stay calm and not get nervous. He brought me good peace of mind. So the results of the meet: Holly O (Ozanich) took first and third in her two weight events. SHE IS AMAZING. She has worked so hard...