CL Hawks Boy’s Track & Field’s John Barthels Coaches Corner

  Cameron Valigura will be ready for CL’s hosting the District 28-4A Track Meet starting next Monday.

The ReSporter was able to catch-up with the Boy’s Track & Field Coach Barthels for some updates on this season and the upcoming District 28-4A Meet that Canyon Lake will be hosting starting this Monday.

                        Go Fast Hawks!!

The ReSporter:  What is the special formula that some schools have that can recruit so many more athletes than CL can? (Wimbo-Freddie, etc).

Coach Barthels: “​When you have been good at a sport for so many years it does have a perk to it. Kids want to participate and run for a successful program. We have had many successful athletes come through our program over the years and each year is different when you start talking about running. Track is the last sport to get going and some years are harder to motivate them to run. Running is hard, it takes alot of work, and sometimes is not that fun. So we try to make track as fun as we can and get a good workout in as well. Our numbers have improved this year and our times are getting better each week.”​

The ReSporter:  What has been the biggest difference in coaching the ladies last year compared to coaching boys this season? ​

Coach Barthels: “After coaching the ladies for the past 9 years, the hardest thing for me has been figuring out what times are good for the boys in each event. You watch the boys and girls while you are at all of the meets, but you dont necessarily pay that close attention to what times they are running as you are the ones that you are responsible for. Now that I have that down, we have some decent times, throws and jumps.”

The ReSporter:  This season has seemed to be disjointed schedule wise and having an ebb and flow in numbers that compete each week….how has that hindered your development this year? ​

Coach Barthels: “This is a busy time of year, kids play soccer, baseball, basketball at the beginning of the season and these days kids have to work. We take whoever is available each week to the meet and run, jump and throw as fast and as far as we can. I have truly enjoyed my first year as the boys coach and am enjoying the success of the program that I played a part in building with the girls over the years.”

The ReSporter:  Our last Coach had a philosophy of concentrating on the Hurdle events as he would say that event allows you to see who can compete in those other events based on those two. What is your philosophy or where do you put the most emphasis and why?

Go Fast HAWKS & Vote in May for runoff.

Coach Barthels: “​Hurdles are tough, you have to run fast and jump over this man made obstacle while not hitting the person next to you. It all starts at the middle school. It is hard to convince someone that hurdles are fun. Based on that, I put the most emphasis on what we have the best chance of having success in. If I have someone that runs the 100 or 200 very well, that does not mean they need to hurdle, we need to get better at the 100 and 200. Each year is different.”

The ReSporter:  What would you tell the average ‘Joe’ coming to the district meet next Thursday on which area or event would be good to be a spectator?

Coach Barthels: “​The district meet is Monday April 11th here at home with the 3200, field events, and prelims. Wednesday April 13th will be the finals for running events​. Between the boys and girls we have someone that has a shot of advancing in every event. As a whole, our district is one of the most competitive districts in the state. Making the top 4 at our district meet and advancing to the area meet gives you a decent shot at making it to regionals. There are some exceptions of course as the other district will have some good athletes, but we take pride in the fact that if you are in the top 4 in our district you are accomplishing something.”

The ReSporter:  Thanks Coach and are there anything you would like to add?

Coach Barthels: “​We have a great core of athletes that are representing Canyon Lake and I am proud of the work they have put in and know that those that have put in the work will be successful.