About

HEAD COACH - JOHN PARKS

John Parks is a Veteran pro, college & HS coach will lead the 

Lakers. He has coached professionally with Nike, collegiately

at Auburn, Oregon State, Portland Sate, UAB, Willamette

and 6 high schools spanning 4 decades with Olympic

and World champions and medalists, NCAA & HS All-Americans

and over 300 athletes earning college scholarships.

MISSION STATEMENT:

This team commits to providing student athletes a challenging training program that enhances the abilities of each athlete. This team also has a deep desire to reach into the Lake Oswego community. The coaches stress honesty, accountability and teamwork. We will encourage these young athletes to be socially responsible, showing respect for others and self-discipline at all times.


TEAM GOALS:

Lake Oswego High School’s track and field team goals are to encourage and help young athletes develop physically, emotionally and socially through their involvement in track & field. Athletes will improve their grade by doing periodic grade checks with teachers. They will improve their physical conditioning as they learn skills related to track & field. They will build a positive self-image as their individual achievements will be recognized. They will learn what it means to be a team player, by promoting their development of friendship, support and encouragement of fellow athletes and sportsmanship, all while having fun!


OUR CULTURE:

Community – We strive to create a culture of community where we connect with people in Lake Oswego. We have a common goal to connect to those around us through different avenues of community centered activities.

Excellence – As a Lake Oswego athlete we aim for excellence on and off the track.  Each athlete is encouraged to perform to the best of their abilities in practice. Not only do we focus on our athletic abilities we also make our studies a priority as we are student-athletes and not athlete-students.

Communication – Student athletes, coaches, and parents are encouraged to practice open communication with one another. If athletes have conflicts with practice/meets it will be communicated with their event coach or head coach prior to practice/meets.

Respect – As a program we ask that parents, athletes, and coaches practice respect for one another by creating a positive environment of encouragement no matter ability level.  We will honor one another for our achievements and cheer one another on during practice and track meets.

Love – Each athlete is to express love for one another by being there to encourage with a positive attitude by lifting one another up.  We will put others before ourselves and be intentional to help those around us.

WE HAVE AMAZING & KNOWLEDGEABLE COACHES!

Chris Cook

BIANCA MARTIN

Bianca is the daughter of a two-time Olympic cyclist father and a two-time national Champion mother - sport is in her blood. She ran competitive track and cross country all through high school in Beaverton and then in college at two different DI programs. Bianca pursued professional running with the Atlanta Track Club after graduating and continues to work with pro runners on mindset and mental performance to this day. Throughout her own running career, she started coaching at the age of 19 and found a whole new passion. She joins Lake Oswego with 14 years of experience under her belt coaching runners of all ages! She is currently in school for a Masters in Sport and Performance Psychology which will lead into a Certified Mental Performance Consultant title. Bianca believes and lives by the words: potential is greater than pain.

Elijah Greer

Elijah is a former Lake Oswego Laker who ran track and cross country with the team from 05-09. He was a 4x track state champion in high school, 2x national champion at university of Oregon, and then competed professionally with Nike through 2016. He currently works full time but enjoys volunteering alongside the program. His vision is to be part of the culture of Lake Oswego and encourage lifelong values that drive success. Elijah believes and lives by the words: "XC can meet you wherever you're at, and push you to be better. The journey is where the fun is at."

ABOUT COACH JOHN PARKS

42 individual state champions. Girls team ranked in top 10 in nation 2 years. State coach of the year 4 times in cross country and track.

TEAM GUIDELINES

Dress code for practice – appropriate athletic attire/running shoes/track spikes/sweat pants/sweatshirt/tights

Meets – Students will be given uniforms before their first meet. They will be kept all season and returned at the end of the season. Student athletes will sign a uniform agreement. Uniform and sweat tops/bottoms, black or white half tights or long tights should be worn. Warm-Up attire should be Lake Oswego HS issued clothing with track and field being the preferred garment.  If uniforms are not returned at the end of the season there will be a charge for replacement collected from the student or parent/guardian.

Selection for Track Meets - Coaches will select which athlete will compete at each meet including relay teams.  Selections on which athletes will compete will be based on time unless discussed by the coach.  Athletes who wish to be varsity need to stay for the entire meet (league meets).  If a student athlete is not able to stay and cheer on their teammates for the entire meet they will not be participating in the next meet as a varsity athlete.  It is encouraged that all athletes stay to support their teammates.

Nutrition and Well Being – Athletes are encouraged to have a balanced diet with lots of water for hydration to be prepared for the demands of the sport.  Sleep is important and each athlete should get at least 8 hours of sleep per night.  A water bottle is strongly recommended for student athletes during practices for hydration.  Athletes should eat at least 2 hours prior to practice. It is encouraged that athletes bring a snack for between lunch and practice.

Academics – We will have periodic grade checks to make sure that athletes have good grades in order to compete.  We are all student-athletes and not the other way around.  We will focus on grades first. Athletes MUST be enrolled in 5 classes all season.

Team Travel – This year due to the bus driver shortage we are asking that a release form needs to be filled out for athletes leaving a meet early prior to meet day at away meets.  If athletes or parents don’t feel comfortable with riding the bus please fill out the transportation forms. Uniforms will be worn while traveling.  If athletes are able to drive themselves, I would recommend using this form.  We may or may not be provided buses so we are preparing each meet that we are not taking buses.

Lettering for Varsity – In order to receive a varsity letter, an athlete will need to score at least 10 points throughout the season.  Points are awarded as follows; 1 point for participation in a varsity track meet, Dual Meet 1st place: 5 points, 2nd place: 3 points, 3rd place: 1-point, Invitational Meet: 1st: 10, 2nd: 8, 3rd: 6, 4th: 5, 5th: 4, 6th: 3, 7th: 2, 8th: 1. If any athlete reaches the State meet they will receive a letter. If the coaching staff believes an athlete deserves a letter they will award an athlete.

Multi-Sport Athletes – Some athletes may be multiple sport athletes during the track and field season.  Multi-sport athletes will be required to communicate in advance with coaches if they are not able to make it to practice. Multi-sport athletes need to make at least 2 practices and make the district and state championships a priority by not scheduling competition or travel during these times. On weeks that we have multiple track meets, multi-sport athletes will be required to participate in at least one of those meets.  If there are concerns for injury, the athletes primary sport will be their focus as they recover from their injury.By signing this form, you agree to the above team guidelines.  If team guidelines are not followed they will be discussed with the coach and possible consequences for not following these guidelines will be executed.