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.

• High School All State runner and State team title in cross country

• College - Auburn University, 5 year letterman

• Head Coach, University of Alabama Birmingham - 3 years, won Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year, NCAA All-American and 4 Nationals qualifiers and Olympic Trials top 15 performer

• Assistant Coach, Auburn University - 8 years - NCAA champion in 400 hurdles, high jump. All-Americans in all event areas, SEC team champions indoors and cross country. World Champion and Olympic medalist in 400 hurdles

• Head coach, Magic City Track Club - Founder of club. Over 250 athletes in club, over 15 national AAU or USATF Junior Olympic national individual champions. National record in 2k steeplechase.

• Assistant Coach, Mountain Brook HS - 3 years - 7 state titles - over 40 state individual champions

• Assistant Coach, Vestavia Hills HS - 1 year - 3 individual state champions

• Assistant Coach, Hewitt-Trussville HS - 1 year - 6 individual state champions

• Head Coach, Pelham HS - 3 years - 4 state team champions in cross country, indoor and outdoor

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.

• Head Coach, McKay HS - 7 years - 11 district team titles, 8 individual state champions, HS all-time state record-holder in 100 and 200 meters (Ryan Bailey) and 4x100 and 4x200

• Assistant Coach, Willamette University - 3 years - 6 NWAC team titles, 2 NCAA national champions in high jump and decathlon.

• Assistant Coach, Portland State - 1 year - 3 school records

• Head Coach, Ultimate Speed Athletics - Professional club lge ed by Ryan Bailey, 2012 Olympic silver medalist and 2015 World Relay Champion in 4x100, 3 Olympic Trials qualifiers in 2012, 4 in 2016. Private training of over 2 dozen Lake Oswego area athletes including Oregon HS football player of the year Casey Filkens. 

• Assistant Coach, Oregon State - 5 years -  NCAA national qualifier in triple jump. Trained 7 future NFL players in sprints including All-Pro Brandon Cooks.

• Lake Oswego HS - in 2nd year as track coach, 1st as cross country coach. State girls team champions. US Track Coaches Coach of the Year. 9 school records, 2 national records. Privately coached Mia Brahe-Pedersen before assuming head coach position of team. Mia qualified for 2022 World U20 Championships in 100 and 200, where she placed top 7 in both events then in 2023 4 Nike HS National titles individually along with 4x400 national title. 6 state meet records in 100, 200, 400, 300 hurdles, 4x100 and 4x400. Boys school record in 4x100.

• Trained over 15 NFL players in coaching career. Over 30 HS All-Americans. Over 350 HS athletes have earned college scholarships.

• Meet director for 2 National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships, USATF Youth Nationals, World Cross Country Trials. SEC Cross Country Championship. Big Sky Conference Cross Country Championships. 17 years director of Nike Vulcan Classic, nation's #1 regular season prep cross country meet with teams from up to 21 states each year.

• Publisher of The Harrier, national magazine for elite, college and HS cross country

• Publisher of Southern Track, newsletter (pre-websites!) covering college and HS track

• Publisher of Inside Track, newsletter covering HS track 

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.