Team Manager COACH!
Chapter 39
“THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN a run and a sprint is collapsing,” Dennis told the girls as they lined up on the track for the first time on Monday. From the beginning of track season to the first meet was nearly a month. They’d arranged an intramural meet on the coming Thursday and the boys and girls would all be running together. Andy wasn’t particularly impressed with what he saw on the boys’ team either. The intramural meet would tell them what they had to work with.
“What do you mean, it’s collapsing?” Diane asked. “You mean the farther you run, the more likely you are to collapse?”
“No,” he laughed. “I can see I made a poor choice of words. I mean the difference is getting smaller. When you run the 800, you don’t have time to pace yourself comfortably. You run all out the full distance. There are 1500-meter runners who turn each 400 as fast as a 400-meter runner. We’re seeing faster splits all the way around. So, if Tori runs the 400 in 55 seconds, there is probably an 800 runner closing it down in 1:50. We’ll see times like that in competition. That’s why we’ll train for every race by running twice that far.”
“Why does everything seem harder this year than it did last year?” Amy asked. “I know I’m in better shape.”
“Your shape has really gotten shapely,” Natalie said. The girls laughed.
“That’s true,” Dennis said. “And it could be why things are harder. We’re all changing. At this time last year, I was eight inches shorter. That’s a lot of body to figure out how to move efficiently.”
“Eight inches is really great,” Judith agreed. “If you put it in the right place.”
“We might need to run a few more laps so we get focused again,” Dennis said, shaking his head. “Here’s the thing. Pardon me for being blunt. Amy’s got bigger boobs than she had last year. Daphne weighs twenty pounds more. Natalie is two inches taller. Debbie’s blonde. We’re teenagers. Our bodies are changing. Every change means we have to work to learn to use it and make it function the way we want. You might find you are best suited for a different race than you were ready for last year.”
“Help us, Dennis. I don’t want to be embarrassed when I step on the track,” Leanne said. “Or back into the classroom. People are wondering what happened to us last week. They expected us to win and we got killed.”
“Honey, I’m very proud of you. It’s not your fault that we were in the wrong headspace for that game. We were all looking behind us to see if there was a shooter. And we had a lousy schedule this year with too many teams that were too small. We’re working on getting a better schedule next year. We just weren’t challenged by good teams all year long. Suddenly we were up against a team that was as good as us and we didn’t know how to play them. Let’s put it behind us and move forward.”
“How?”
“Four laps before we go in.” The team started running.
Ardith and Dennis split their responsibilities during practice. After the conditioning exercises, one would work with runners and the other with field events. The next day they would switch. Ardith wanted each girl to understand that she was the coach and was paying attention to that girl. On the other hand, with the teams working more separately than they had the previous year, she needed Dennis’s expertise to complement her own. Andy, Jim, and Frank had all said they’d help her out, but they were focused on the male athletes.
“This is ridiculous,” Debbie said. “They have three team managers and three coaches. We have two coaches and no team manager.”
“I’m team manager,” Dennis said. “What is getting missed?”
“Come on, Coach. You don’t have time to run blocks to and from the track and still help Lana get over the bar and Corinne pump out the shotput. We need someone who does the stuff the guys do for the boy’s team,” Daniella said.
“What do you suggest?”
“That’s what I’m talking about,” Debbie said. “I volunteer. I’m not that good in the events. Face it, I tried out for track last spring so I could get a crack at Dennis. That’s still mostly why I stay involved with the sports. I’m strong enough to haul the blocks.”
“You’d really do that and quit running?” Amy asked.
“I wouldn’t quit working out and all, but I’d like to learn the taping stuff and some of the other things Dennis has been teaching team managers. Why not?” Debbie asked.
“Coach Ardith won’t like it. We have so few people on the team,” Dennis said.
“She won’t be that hard to convince,” a voice behind him said. He jumped.
“Coach!”
“I want people who want to participate. And I want them to participate in what pleases them most. If Debbie wants to learn team management, I approve. Teach her.” Ardith left the locker room and went to her office.
“I guess you just got a new job,” Dennis said to Debbie. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him.
Dennis and Brenda were both happy for spring break at DMACC. Unlike the high school, the college got a full week off and it was always in the middle of April. Bartley High School would end the term on Thursday and they would all have Friday off. The high school spring break was still tied to whatever date Easter was. Many still called it Easter vacation instead of spring break. They’d get a long weekend, after the big meet on Thursday after school.
Dennis was showing Debbie where the starting blocks and shots were kept when two others showed up.
“Hey, Rae! Thoms! What brings you out here? It’s cold.”
“Yeah. I might need heavier sweats,” Rae said.
“I understand you’ve had a shortage of team managers for the Angelines,” Thoms said. “I’m kind of liking the work, so I thought I’d come out and help Debbie learn the ropes, so to speak.”
“That’s great. I want all three of you to learn the job thoroughly, then. Thoms, you can help Debbie and Rae learn the taping procedures and warmups. We’re going to be watching the athletes carefully and adding support where needed. Probably a lot more kinesio tape during track than during basketball or volleyball.”
“What is this?” Debbie asked, pointing to an odd-looking apparatus nearby.
“We’ll be using that today,” Dennis said. “It’s a starting block sled. The runner is to fasten the strap around her waist and practice starting from the blocks while dragging the sled. It should increase power on the start.”
“We never had those last year,” Debbie said.
“We were a poor afterthought last year. This year, coaches got to order any equipment they wanted with the sponsorship from AgCentral. All we need to do is use it appropriately.”
“Anyone who wants to run in any race can do so,” Coach Andy said Thursday after warmups. “You all have timing bibs and the record is kept automatically. In the most literal sense, you aren’t racing each other. The only thing we’re looking at is your time on the clock. Beat your best.”
A total of seventeen girls had stuck out the practices and wanted to run, jump, or throw. Ardith had worked with about the same number the year before, and thought she could make this small team work, except for the schedule problems. The number of practices and meets that would be missed by different girls because of other commitments was daunting. It would be a miracle if she had a full team for any meet.
They ran four heats of six runners in the 100-meter dash. Eleven girls and thirteen boys were running. Two heats were mixed boys and girls. The surprise of the race was freshman Jaydyn Davis. She beat everyone in her heat by a significant margin—boys and girls. When times were tallied up, the only runner with a faster time was Dave Overman.
The phenomenon was repeated in the 200-meter and the 400-meter. Jaydyn was fast. Daniella edged her out by five seconds in the 800-meter. It was obvious that Jaydyn was a sprinter and was happy to run any time. She wandered over to the high jump pit and managed a jump of 4'8". Lana had been working hard at her jumping, and even though she managed respectable times in the 100, 200, and 400, she finally managed to clear five feet in the high jump. It was her best jump yet.
Corinne and Rita, fresh from their wrestling season, showed they had put on muscle for both the shotput and the discus. They were joined by Liz. Liz was not built as huskily as either Corinne or Rita, but wanted to build her body. Her throws were far short of the two older girls, but she showed promise. Dennis made a note to have Thoms work with her on weights as she had done with Corinne and Rita.
Of course, Janice shone in the long races as expected. The surprise was Bobbie. Bobbie ran in every race, usually placing near last. She was as determined a runner, however, as Liz was a shot putter. She showed sheer pleasure in running at any distance. Dennis thought about his sister and how much Bobbie reminded him of her when she ran.
“Okay, two weeks from today we travel to the Bulldogs for our first meet,” Ardith said to the girls as they gathered around on the bleachers. You’ve shown me that we have girls who want to compete. Dennis and I will be putting together the roster of who runs in what race as we continue to observe and train for the next two weeks. The Wolverines will also be traveling to the Bulldogs, so we want to look sharp and show them what a team is really like. That means no booze and carousing over the weekend. Nobody gets pregnant before the meet. No drugs. You all know the rules. The boys supposedly know the rules, too, but I’m not confident that they abide by them. Don’t screw up!”
“Yes, Coach!” the girls responded. Most of them felt pretty good about their performance in the test meet. The big test would be putting together relay teams.
“We’ll be on our own bus, which means Thoms, Rae, and Debbie will have to cart starting blocks and shots. I know they’d appreciate your help. Please try to leave anything of value at home,” Dennis said. “Even with three team managers, keeping track of people’s valuables is a strain. Thoms has a bag they use for collecting cellphones and wallets. Please, nothing else.”
“Get some rest this weekend and we’ll hit it fresh on Monday,” Ardith said. The girls headed for the locker room.
To some extent the weekend was restful, even though the crew maintained high watchfulness. A news report mentioned a region-wide manhunt for a sixteen-year-old Bartley boy suspected of murder and attempted murder. He was assumed to be fleeing the state, probably headed south. Dennis thought that would clue Les in to where not to go if he was watching the news. He knew, though, that Les was more likely to be watching Heroes of the Universe or some other superhero movie if he had access at all. Midterms had just passed at DMACC. He and Brenda had papers to write and books to read.
Sunday afternoon, the crew was finally fully relaxed and cooking in the kitchen. Peg sang with the choir in the morning and it was pleasant to listen to. Dennis knew that church attendance had fallen off some since Christmas and Peg was not usually singing a solo, but was happily part of the choir.
The doorbell rang and Dot immediately checked to see that the kids were all in the kitchen. She looked out through the peephole and breathed a sigh of relief as she opened the door.
“Sheriff Moran. To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit? You’re in uniform, so is this official business?” Dot asked.
“It’s official, but nothing alarming, so I hope we can drop the formality.”
“Of course, Tom. Please come in. Are you due a lunch break? The girls are preparing something that smells delightful.”
“In fact, by the time I handle the official part of my call, my shift will be over unless I receive an emergency call. I’d love to sample whatever they are preparing.”
“Have a seat, Sheriff,” Dennis said, unable to shift to the informality as quickly as his mother. He brought Moran a cup of coffee.
“Well, let me get right to the good news,” Tom said. “The high alert is over. Les Steinman has been captured.”
“Does that mean you have him in jail or is he a ward of the mental hospital again?” Dot asked a little coldly.
“Neither. He is in police custody in Oklahoma City. Our attorney general will, of course, request an extradition, but it’s not likely. He chose the wrong state to commit murder in. Oklahoma is quite relaxed regarding gun laws, but killing a person while committing a felony—like robbing a convenience store at gunpoint—is first degree murder and is punishable by death or life in prison without parole. With the evidence that he is a killer fleeing justice in another state and the video evidence in the convenience store, it is unlikely that he will ever see the light of day again,” Tom said.
Twelve girls ran from the kitchen to surround Dennis with hugs. They were all crying.
“I suppose we shouldn’t celebrate,” Dot said. “He took another life. But I’m thankful he’s been caught.”
“I agree,” Tom said. “And even if we don’t celebrate, we can all acknowledge our relief. I’ve been hanging around the school at night when the teams are practicing just to watch for any sign of him. It’s been taking too much of my time from the rest of the county. I should be able to focus on other parts of my job now.”
“Thank you for protecting us, Sheriff,” Amy said. “Maybe I can finally just be a teenage girl and not a target.”
“That’s what this job is all about, Amy,” he said. “I just want you all safe.”
The meet on Thursday was sparsely attended. Ardith had hoped that with the announcement that Steinman had been captured, girls would come back to the program. By the end of the week, it was obvious that she had those who were devoted—at least as much as anyone was in the spring. Neither Bobbie nor Daphne was available for the event Thursday.
“We’re not going to run in every event,” Ardith said. “There are nine teams competing. I’d like to have you speed demons—and I’m looking at the three Armors and Jaydyn Davis—just run relays because I think we’d win all of them. But that’s not fair for others nor for you. I want you to have an opportunity to shine in individual events, too. So, I’ll start with the easy ones. Corinne, Rita, and Liz. I have all three of you in the shotput and the discus. Show us what you’ve got. Long jump, Rosie and Leanne. Rosie, focus on showing us how much you’ve improved since last season. I know you can jump farther than you did then. Leanne, prepare to run the 1500 with Janice. Based on your time, I think you have a chance of getting us some points. Diane, I want you in that 1500, too. I know the 800 is your pride, but I need you out there to grab points. The 1500 doesn’t usually have a lot of competitors, so stacking some extras will work in our favor.”
“I can run that, Coach,” Diane said brightly. Dennis finished taping her ankles and she bounced up and down in the aisle of the bus.
“Good. Janice, I’m afraid that means I’m leaving you alone in the 3000. Show us how a fast girl runs,” Ardith laughed. There were a few whoops. “Now, here’s what I have for the rest of you. Jaydyn, I had no idea you were hiding such speed in your warmups. Show it off in the 100 and in the 800. I think the only reason you didn’t shine in the 800 on our trial day is because you ran in nearly every event. Then I’ve got you in the 4x100 and the distance medley. Amy, just the 100 this week. Remember, we’ll be running two meets a week for most of the season, so you’ll get lots of opportunity to expand. Put your all into this one.”
“I’m just happy to be on the team, Coach.”
“Daniella, 200 and 400. Then give it your all in the 4x100 relay and the sprint medley. Judith, 200 and the 100 hurdles. You’ll join the 4x400 and the distance medley. Tori, put your all into the 400. You showed us all last year that you could sprint that distance. You’ll anchor the 4x400 relay team. Diane, in addition to the 1500, I want you in the 800 and anchoring the distance medley. Bring it home, girl. Oh, Natalie. Did I forget about you? We aren’t competitive yet in the 400 hurdles, but you and Judith will do great in the 100 hurdles. Then I want your baton passing skills on display. 4x100, 4x400, and sprint medley. You are fast on the start and will run the first leg of each. And last but not least, Lana, you should be done high jumping by the time we get to the sprint medley. Run your buns off in the 200-meter leg. Questions?”
“Thanks, Coach,” Dennis said when no one spoke up. “What are we going to do?”
“Beat ’em!”
“How do we do it?”
“Run run run!”
“Who are we?”
“Angelines.”
The bus pulled into the Bulldogs parking area and the team headed for the track.
It might have been just a little hopeful to think the Angelines could beat all comers when they weren’t even competing in the 400 hurdles or in three relays. But from the first race of the afternoon, they let the other teams know they were the ones to beat. Jaydyn placed first in both the 100 and the 800. Natalie was second in the 200 hurdles. Janice was third in the 1500 and second in the 3000. And flooring everyone, Lana placed first in the high jump with a leap of 5'2". The Angelines came in first in the 4x100 relay and third in the sprint medley. The final tally put the team in third place out of eight behind the much bigger Huskies and Terriers.
The boys placed eighth out of nine teams, with one team not showing up at all. The points they got were based on Donnie Oswald’s third place finish in the 400 and the team’s second place finish in the 4x800 relay.
From that point, the girls improved, not always winning races or jumps, but keeping enough competitors in the top three to accumulate a high team score. And Ardith kept moving them around, looking for the combination that would bring them the best results.
On Tuesday, the team placed second in their own invitational with ten teams participating. On Thursday, they were fifth of seven at the Terrier invitational where Jaydyn once again won the 100 and the team took first in both the 4x200 and 4x400 relays. Ardith was watching carefully to see what teams she could qualify for the Drake relays.
The crew was exhausted and looking forward to spring break in just another week.
Palm Sunday morning, the crew was in their pews to listen to Peg’s solo. She sang a very old song, written in the 1890s called, “Holy City”. Her voice soared and the congregation was entranced.
Last night I lay a’sleeping there came a dream so fair
I stood in old Jerusalem beside the temple there.
I heard the children singing and ever as they sang
Methought the voice of angels from heaven in answer rang.
Methought the voice of angels from heaven in answer rang.
Jerusalem! Jerusalem! Lift up your gates and sing:
Hosannah in the highest. Hosannah to your king.
The last verse reprise had a high note that left everyone breathless as Peg’s angelic voice sang Hosannah.
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