STC Youth Team Coaches Paralympics Gold Medalist
When Madison Castillo was 9 months old, her parents were informed she had suffered a stroke at birth. Her entire right side was weakened, including her leg and arm. Her parents were told that she might never walk, much less run.
See the KWCH video about Madison here >> http://www.kwch.com/news/local-news/maize-senior-runs-past-disability/34250962
STC Elite update – Cotter runs 3:58 mile, Bahner 8th at Pan Am’s
It’s been a big week for a couple of STC Elite athletes as they continue to compete in international competitions around the world.
The big news this week was Tomas Cotter running 3:58.50 in the Mile at the Morton Games in Dublin, Ireland. Cotter had run some good races this summer in Europe but this was definitely his best. He is the 51st Irish man to break the four minute barrier and was the top athlete from his country in this race.
From Cotter, “I knew it was possible but to be the first Irish man and beat some of the world’s best was incredible!”
He has the Irish Championships in two weeks and is working on getting in a couple other fast European races now that he has a fast time in the Mile. He will probably run the 1500m and 3000m steeplechase.
Here is the link to the race video – the Mile begins at 2:04:55
STC Elite athlete Austin Bahner has also had a busy summer capped by an eighth place finish in the Pan Am Games Decathlon. He scored 7451 points, just two behind seventh and 49 behind sixth place. It was his second international competition of the summer representing the USA as he has now made four different national teams in his career.
Congrats to Tomas and Austin for their terrific performances!
Westar Energy Sponsors Youth Team
Shocker Track Club is pleased to announce a sponsorship partnership with Westar Energy for the 2015-2016 season!
Darren Muci, Shocker Track Club President, stated, “We are honored that Westar Energy is able to sponsor our youth track team. Westar Energy has a history of sponsoring local organizations with “kid specific” activities and we are pleased that they are supporting our youth track team.” More information about Westar Energy is available on their website – www.westarenergy.com.
Austin Bahner — Q&A — Post Collegiate T&F and Pan-Am Games
STC Elite team member Austin Bahner is nearing the end of his first post-collegiate season and just got named to Team USA for the Pan Am Games in Toronto, Canada, July 20-26.
We got Austin’s opinion on several topics with this Q&A. Enjoy!
How has your first year of post collegiate track gone?
Overall, I am very pleased with how my first has gone. As always, there are ups and there are downs, especially dealing with the Multi-events. My biggest issue in the past has probably been injuries, and I have stayed relatively healthy and in shape the entire season. Other than that, I have been quite consistent in most area’s of the multi, while I have gained a couple of personal bests. I finished second at USA Indoor Nationals and qualified for two USA Teams in the outdoor season which is a huge confidence boost going into next year.
What have been some of the biggest challenges?
The biggest challenge I have faced would have to be the motivation. At this time of the season, I have been on my own the majority of the time so it is important that I stay motivated to keep up my training and continue to work toward my goals.
What are your goals for the upcoming Pan Am Games?
I know that there will be a lot of great competitors at this meet so I am going to do my best to stay in reach of the top and take it one event at a time. I am shooting for a great score that will potentially qualify me into the 2016 Olympic Trials.
What are your goals as you look forward to 2016?
The biggest thing for me is staying healthy throughout the season, most importantly the outdoor season. USA Indoor Nationals will be held in Portland, Oregon next year, which athletes will be competing for a spot on the Indoor World Championships team. For the Outdoor season, the Olympic Trials will be held in Eugene, Oregon where athletes will compete for a spot in the Olympics. My ultimate goal is to hit the standard for next year to go to the trials and compete for one of those spots.
What do you do for support to be able to continue to train for your goals?
My biggest support comes from my parents. They have been there for me more than I could have imagined. Outside of them, I have many great support groups. Shocker Track Club has provided help through expenses for gear and some travel. Asics America provided a great donation of gear. I work as a Volunteer Assistant at Wichita State in order to continue my training with the group of multis. I have also reached out to friends and family for small donations for some of my bigger trips that I normally would not be able to afford like this past year’s Indoor Nationals that was held in Boston, MA. I am very appreciative of everyone and everything I have received over this past season.
What advice can you give someone who wants to continue track after college?
My first piece of advice would have to be patience. Not everything is going to go the way you want whether it be injuries, your training, your marks/scores, etc. Its all about overcoming those obstacles and trusting yourself and your training. Also, have some sort of structure or organization to your training. I still follow the team’s workouts with some modifications due to a longer and later season.
Thank you to Austin for the interview. Good luck in Toronto! Go USA!!!
Bahner Finishes Capital Cup Strong
STC Elite Team Member Austin Bahner finished fifth in the IAAF Capital Cup Decathlon in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on Saturday. Banner, a former Wichita State All-American, finished with 7,358 points! Complete results are available here >> Capital Cup Decathlon
Youth Team Hosts Olympian as Guest Teacher
Retired Elite High Jumper and 2000 Olympian, Nathan Leeper, attended Youth Team practice on Tuesday as a “Guest Teacher” in the high jump. Leeper, a NCAA National Champion while competing at Kansas State University, is a four-time USATF National Champion with a career personal best of 2.35m (7′-8 1/2″). He also holds the Wichita State University Cessna Stadium high jump record with a jump of 2.26m (7′-05″).
Hot Vaulting at the River Vault!
The weather was warm, but the southern breeze provided for a great day of pole vaulting at the 2015 River Vault competition! Jack Whitt claimed the Men’s Elite Title with a vault of 18′-7″ (5.66m)! Other champions were – Chris Nilsen (16′-6″) Men’s Open competition, Brittany Kallenberger (13′-6″) Women’s Open competition, Christian Compton of the Shocker Track Club (15′-6″) Youth Boys competition, and Nicole Kallenberger (12′-6″) in the Youth Girls competition.
Many thanks to our event sponsors – ESi Direct, Davis-Moore, Pet Angel, Cameron Dental, Goode Pools, Diamond Archery, AutoImage, our Head Official – Chris Ellis, and the Event Director – Denis Fraizer.
Men’s Elite Results >> 2015 River Vault Men’s Elite
Youth Girl’s Results >> River Vault 2015 Youth Girls Results
Video Overview >> River Vault 2015
Wichita Eagle article >> http://www.kansas.com/sports/article23310600.html
It’s Not Too Late To …. River Vault!
That’s right, it’s not too late to register for River Vault! This exciting pole vault competition will be held on Saturday, June 6th in the Century II parking lot off Main Street. Competition begins at 1000a. Click here for Registration Forms >>>> River Vault 2015 Registration
June STC Youth Team Practice
It’s almost June!!! And that means –
– Youth Team practices are on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 6:45 p.m., to 8:15 p.m.
– Every Thursday is a Shocker Summer Series Track Meet at 6:00 p.m., on the Cessna Stadium Track.
– Pole Vault practice begins on June 8th.
– The June joiner fee is now $125.
See you in June; our Coaches are ready!!
Summer Youth Team Registration Forms –2015 Youth OUTDOOR Registration Forms
River Vault Registration Forms – River Vault 2015 Registration
Shocker Summer Series Track Meet Information – 2015 Shocker Summer Series Meet Info
Hiland Dairy Sponsors Youth Team
The Shocker Track Club is pleased to announce a sponsorship partnership with Hiland Dairy for the 2015-2016 season!
Darren Muci, Shocker Track Club President, stated, “We are honored that Hiland Dairy is able to sponsor our youth track team and track meets. Hiland Dairy has a history of providing high qualify dairy products and sponsoring local organizations, and we are pleased that they are supporting our Youth track team.”
Jerald Grey, General Manager for Hiland Dairy’s corporate office in Wichita noted, “Hiland Dairy is excited to partner with the Shocker Track Club and looks forward to helping the participants rehydrate and refuel with nutritious, protein rich, Hiland Dairy products during the meets.”
Hiland Dairy’s production facility at 700 E. Central has provided quality dairy and healthy beverage products to the greater Wichita area since 1900. Visit their website at www.hilanddairy.com for more information.
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