January 6, 2025 • 34 mins
CIAC Glory Days Podcast host Jada Mirabelle is joined by Bloomfield Girls Indoor Track, a CT track powerhouse! 🏆🎙️
Tune in as Head Coach Anne Burrows and Captains Kiylah Williams and Jahniya Barclay share their keys to success, and talk about the mindset and dedication required to reach their level of success. Plus, stick around for a rapid Q&A with Bloomfield’s champions! 🥇
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to CIC's Glory Days podcast.
I'm your host, jada Maribel,and today I'm joined by
Bloomfield Girls Indoor Track, atrack dynasty and the class of
state champions.
For the 14th year in a row.
I'm joined by head coach AnnBurrows and two awesome athletes
and captains, jania Barclay andKyla Williams.
Thank you, guys, for joining mehere today.
I'm so excited to have you here.
Thank you for having us.
Of course.
So for some background for theviewers who may not know about
(00:23):
the dynasty of Bloomfield GirlsIndoor Track, it is one of the
most impressive records inConnecticut sports.
Last year you won the 14thstraight class as title.
You have three state opentitles in total, I believe.
And then last year you won the4x200 by 6 seconds, which is
just incredible.
Right, and you two were a partof that relay, right.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
And then you also won the 55 dash finals, which the
top four were Bloomfield runners, and then the four by 400,.
You won by 10 seconds, alongwith the 1600 SMR relay and the
600, which is just.
These are unheard of records,so it's truly a powerhouse and
it's very impressive.
So tell us what sets Bloomfieldgirls indoor track apart?
Speaker 2 (01:03):
from other programs to continue to win all these
titles every year.
I would say winning all thetime.
So not wanting to go backwardswith things, you know why would
we want to win, then lose?
So always just trying to exceedthe expectations that we set
last year and just try to, youknow, pr more, set more records
Like our 4x4 is going to try andbreak every single relay record
(01:25):
that there is at every track wehit.
So just trying to keep gettingbetter.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
Continue improving, yeah definitely.
Speaker 3 (01:33):
Yeah, you don't want to be that class.
It's a rough one when you'rethat class, like that people
remember.
So you got to keep it going.
Speaker 1 (01:41):
Just keep every year getting better and better.
Yeah, so how has the success ofthe program stood the test of
time?
Because obviously, throughoutthe years, everything standards
change, practices change, youhave different athletes every
year.
How do you continue to be sosuccessful?
Speaker 3 (01:55):
I want to say adaptability, like you have to
be able to do what's best forthe team.
You have to be able to pick updifferent events.
You have to be able to kind ofsee what we need, what we don't
need.
You know, not everybody can runthe 55 and the 300, even though
we're predominantly sprinterbased, so like, for instance,
janaya ran the 600 last week.
She did great, but she's a shortsprinter but it's going to make
(02:17):
her 400 better, it's going tomake her 300 better and you know
, at first she was like I'm notdoing this and running away and
hiding on me and now she wantsto run it this weekend, so like
you kind of see like there arethings like, oh, I really don't
want to do this but I need to doit and you end up becoming more
well-rounded.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
Yeah, that's got to be hard if you're just used to
short sprints to go and do alonger distance event it is A
hard adjustment different, Iguess.
So, coach, you're clearly anawesome track coach and very
effective.
You've won the National Coachof the Year Award twice now,
along with yes, along with otherConnecticut.
High School track coachingawards.
So what is your background andwhat brought you to Bloomfield
(02:54):
High School to be the girlsindoor track coach?
Speaker 3 (02:57):
Well, so I was a thrower in high school and in
college I went to CCSU.
So when I started at BloomfieldI was actually student teaching
there, so I walked in and Ibecame the throwing coach and I
was assistant coach for sixyears and then Crystal McKenzie
was the head coach at the timewas like you know, I'm just
going to go to college, I'mgoing to go coach Del State, so
have fun.
And then I ended up witheverything.
(03:20):
So it's been a.
It's been an adjustment, anadjustment.
Runners and throwers are verydifferent people.
Throwers are very laid back,runners are very personable so,
um, yeah, it's it's been, it'sbeen great um being the head
coach you know, for the past 12years, so it was definitely at
first it was a learning curve,but yeah, there had to be an
(03:40):
adjustment if that wasn't inyour background.
Yeah, if you're only that wasfun.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
I mean, it works.
Whatever you're doing, it works.
So you figured it out in a goodway, and so we'll talk about
the players now.
So, jania, you've been a hugepart of the program since you
were a freshman and you're ajunior now, but the last two
years you've been competingagainst seasoned upperclassmen
at these competitive meets.
So how did you maintain focusand composure in those moments?
Speaker 4 (04:04):
I try not to think of them as like upperclassmen.
I try to think of everybody asthe same age because, like
running in, like youth, we ranup against our age group, but
coming into high school you gotto run up against different
varieties of people, so you justhave to like not worry about
them at all.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
That's true.
Just don't think about it Atnot worry about them at all.
That's true.
Just don't think about it AtClass S in 2023, I know we
talked a little bit about thisoff camera, but I believe you're
the only freshman in the finalsfor the Class S and the State
Open, so that's a bigaccomplishment.
So it just goes to show youreally don't think about the
pressure of who you're competingagainst, which is that's a good
trait.
Speaker 4 (04:37):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
And Kyla, congratulations.
I heard you just recentlycommitted to Florida Atlantic.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
University for track.
Speaker 1 (04:43):
Yes, that's, super exciting.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
Yes, it is, I'm ready , ready to take the next step.
Yeah, go down south.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
Yes, oh yes.
Speaker 1 (04:51):
So how have your years track for Bloomfield High
School helped prepare you forthis commitment?
I?
Speaker 2 (04:56):
would say every year.
Like I said before, we justwanted to get better, more and
more each year, so just alwayswanted to PR and hit the track
and hit it better than I didlast year.
So obviously you always want togo down with your numbers and
stuff like that and over theyears our team has done that as
(05:16):
a whole.
So it's just made our teamdynamic get better, everybody
getting faster, everybodypushing each other more and more
.
So I would say my teammatesdefinitely did have a big um
play onto my commitment becauseobviously without their
competition and practice andstuff like that it wouldn't be
possible that's very true.
Speaker 1 (05:35):
Yeah, it sounds like you've learned the trade of a
work ethic which is so importantin college athletics definitely
in life in general.
So what are you most excitedfor for college athletics?
Speaker 2 (05:43):
I think I'm excited for the opportunities that it's
going to bring Getting better.
You know, college sports isobviously more competitive.
You know, way harder, harderworkouts, harder lifts and stuff
like that.
So I'm really excited to keepseeing my numbers drop and, you
know, get the feel of the teamand, you know, be a part of a
(06:05):
team like that.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
Just to continue improving and learn that new
environment.
Have you picked what you'regoing to major in yet?
Speaker 2 (06:10):
I'm thinking to go in business management, business
finances, because I later on dowant to be going to real estate.
So I just chose the morebroader aspect yeah, that's
smart.
Speaker 1 (06:21):
And real estate.
I feel like that area is so bigright now it's building really
quickly.
So what are both of your racestrategies when you step onto
the track?
Are there different approachesfor different events?
Speaker 4 (06:31):
For each event I think there's a different
approach.
Like if I'm going into like a55, I'm just going to say just
run, but if I'm going into the400, I try to strategize my four
Like pacing yeah.
I can't run it straight.
She doesn't like to get out.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
True, yeah, you would have to, because you can't just
go full gas the whole time.
Speaker 4 (06:51):
Yeah, and I feel like I got no stamina.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
I feel like I had no stamina, you know, by the end of
it.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
I think I'm more of the opposite, because where
Janiya is a sprinter, so a lotof the 400, 400 runners at least
whoever was in the top eight ornine um at state opens is a
four, two runner mostly.
So I'm more of a four, not thetwo runner um.
So it's harder for me to getout.
My beginning of my race is alittle slower, so I'm more of a
(07:18):
just just run, like just justrun, don't think about where to
do what, because then it's goingto take away something from
another part of my race.
So I try to just like hit thetrack and just run and get it
over with.
Speaker 1 (07:31):
Yeah, just give it your all.
That probably makes it more funto just go out there and run,
don't?
Think about it Something likethat.
So how do you all, as a team,build the championship lineup?
Because I know there's astrategy with placement of
athletes to get many points aspossible.
So how does that work forBloomfield?
Speaker 3 (07:46):
Well, we have to load events because we don't have a
lot of things Like no one wantsto run distance, you know, it's
like the dreaded, you know.
So I can get a couple kids torun the six, but no one wants to
run the thousand, the mile, the32.
We don't have any pole vaulterscurrently, so we end up loading
up where we can.
So the 55, the 300, all therelays, the throws, the jumps,
(08:10):
so you're going to see us heavyin all of those.
And again, our practice is likea championship because the
better people in the eventsthey're training with them every
day.
I tell them all the time whenyou hit the line and there's
four of you and there's one ofanother kid at thing, like that
has to be very intimidating andyou know you guys should build
(08:31):
upon that and you know, feelthat ease, that basically it's
just like another training daylike, but more competitive.
Speaker 1 (08:37):
Yeah, that's true.
Kids, you're with every day.
Yeah, that's.
That's a good advantage and itmakes up for the areas that you
may not have athletes to fill itin with, but you have those
strong sprinting.
So how do you all preparementally and physically for a
race?
Take me through your pre-raceroutine and warm-ups.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
So pre-meet, so the practice that we'll have before
a meet, we'll just do somestride-outs, work on more
technical things, block starts,everything like that, handoffs.
The day of meets, everybody hastheir own different thing.
A lot of us play our music inthe morning, walk in, warm up,
we'll do outdoor or two laps.
(09:16):
We'll typically do two laps or800 real quick get our muscles
working stretches, drills,everything like that and then
handoffs.
But we also tend to add, likebigger meets, so state open,
states conference, anything likethat You'll usually see us do
like a team prayer.
You know, make sure everybody'sgood batons are good, our 4x4,
(09:40):
4x2, we'll always do like apre--race prayer pray over the
baton, pray over our race thatwe're about to do, make sure
everybody's legs are good.
Um, so definitely the mentalaspect and the um religious
aspect.
You know, making sure you pray,get god in there before you run
oh, it's beautiful.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
I love to hear that.
Do you have the same routine oris it any different?
Speaker 4 (10:01):
I feel like I think we all have like the same
routine.
We listen to music.
Sometimes we listen like on aspeaker out loud bringing good
energy.
We eat together in the mornings, always dunking, we're just
like just bringing good energy.
We're happy on the bus talking,always excited to run.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
Oh yeah, that's awesome.
That mental side of it makes abig difference when you're out
there, I'm sure yeah.
Speaker 3 (10:26):
Duncan makes a pretty penny off us every Saturday
morning.
Everybody walks in with aDuncan bag.
Speaker 1 (10:32):
Really they should sponsor you guys, they should
Duncan.
They got a little shout-out onhere.
So, besides Duncan, what do youall think are the main keys to
success for coaches, teams andplayers?
Speaker 2 (10:47):
I would say just your mental.
You can't go into a race or toa meet with bad mental because
automatically you just messed upeverything.
If you're not mentally in it,you're not physically going to
be in it.
That's just how a lot of thingswork, especially with track.
It's a very mental sport.
So if you're out of it you'rejust not really feeling it and
(11:10):
it shows, or it's going to showon the track for sure.
So going into it with a goodmental, clean mind, eased mind,
it makes the race go by waybetter.
Speaker 1 (11:20):
It's an awesome perspective that goes for life
too.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
Everyone's got to be on the same accord.
Everyone's got to be the samething, the same goal.
You can't have those toxicpeople that don't really want to
be there, that think it's likea social thing.
You've got to be there toperform.
Speaker 1 (11:36):
You have to be aligned as a team.
Speaker 3 (11:37):
That's very true.
Speaker 2 (11:39):
But the good thing about our team, I feel like,
though, is once we do all hitthe track.
We do know that so it's.
We all go on to the track withthe mentality of just once we
hit the track, like everythingelse doesn't matter.
You know we're like at thispoint.
We're a family.
We all go into a tracking withthe same goal, with the same,
you know, yeah, with the samegoal in place just to win, to PR
(12:01):
, to do what we need to do, getoff the track, you know, handle
everything else off the track,but once we get on the track, we
know that it's time to go.
Speaker 1 (12:08):
Yeah, it's nice to hear, because, track, there's a
lot of individual sides of it, alot of individual events, so
it's nice to hear that you thinkof it from the team perspective
as well, because that wouldprobably be, yeah, I think
that's what we try to stress themost like that.
Speaker 3 (12:20):
they need everybody.
Everybody has a track program,but in order to succeed or in
order to win all these classes,championships, five for the CCC
conference and stayed open, theyhave to come together as a team
.
It doesn't matter, Even if youwin your three events, you're
only bringing home 30 points.
30 points isn't going to winany of those things.
So they all need each other.
So everybody has to be on theirA game and step up.
Speaker 1 (12:42):
That's true, you all.
So everybody has to be on theirA game and step up.
That's true.
You'll have to put your allinto it, yeah, so, coach, what
do you think these extremelysuccessful past seasons not only
say about the type of coach youare, but the type of athletes
that you continue to have onyour team?
Speaker 3 (12:52):
I mean I definitely have had some of the most
talented athletes.
I mean it has been a gift,honestly.
Every year more and moreathletes come into the program
and whether they grow or theycome in from youth track and
they already have the talentbase, I mean they continue to
develop upon it and you know mygoal is to get as many of them
to college as we can.
(13:13):
So we've been very lucky inthat many of our athletes have
got Division I or Division IIscholarships, gone on to the
next level, had successfulcollege careers you know,
succeeded in life.
So that's definitely my maingoal is just to get them through
the program, win as much as wecan, and then, you know, have
them be successful in life.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
Yeah, help develop them for the next time yeah.
That's awesome.
So what do you think are yourstrengths as?
A team heading into the season.
Speaker 2 (13:42):
Besides all the talent, I would say just the
love that everybody has for thesport I think plays a part in it
too.
Just everybody wantingeverybody with the same goal,
everybody with the same mindseton winning, pring and just
trying to get better.
The fact that we all go intostate opens or states not
(14:05):
wanting to lose, you know,wanting to keep up with our
state titles, it just keeps themotivation going.
So it makes all of ourteammates and the athletes on
our team just perform way betterthan expected, like State Opens
last year.
Speaker 4 (14:23):
We're all very determined, very determined,
determined at practice,determined at meets, determined
on the offseason.
I feel like just ourdetermination.
Speaker 1 (14:34):
Yeah, that makes a big difference to get through it
.
Speaker 3 (14:36):
And when you have such a competitive team, it's
like if you're not on your Agame, there's always someone
that can step up.
Or you know, you can movethings around.
You can shuffle the deck Likeyou know if they're not.
Somebody's not performing well,they're off that week, they're
sick.
There's always somebody thatcan fill that place, fill that
role.
Speaker 1 (14:54):
That's true.
Speaker 2 (14:54):
I feel like that's what makes our team so
competitive and so good, becausewe are such a stacked team.
So just knowing that you knowyour spot can get taken or get
replaced in a second just keepsyou wanting to get better, keep
getting better, keep, you know,improving.
And then it also goes intowinning all the time, like
(15:18):
winning our state championshipsall the time.
And it also goes into winningall the time like winning our
state championships all the time, like now we're honestly
looking at oh, what's the likestate record on how many points
you could score at state opens?
Like let's try to beat that.
So it's just trying to beatourselves.
At this point, you know wantingto just get better and better
and better, because at thispoint our competition is ourself
.
Speaker 1 (15:35):
Wow, yeah, and just continue to be your best.
Speaker 2 (15:37):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (15:38):
So how do you all, as individuals and as a team, push
through injuries or setbacks?
Speaker 4 (15:45):
Because I'm sure you've dealt with some
throughout your running careers.
I run through the injuries.
I try to think like it's amental thing and that I'm not
hurting.
Speaker 1 (15:53):
Yeah, that's actually .
I mean, it's probably not goodfor your body, but it's good
mentally.
Yeah, you can get through it.
Speaker 2 (15:57):
Yeah, that's like 90% of our team.
Honestly, whenever something'swrong with us, we're just like
brush it off, kind of.
You know we have, oh, this meetis coming up.
You know we have to get thisdone.
So we kind of just push throughour injuries as best as we can
and try not to let it affect usas much, while still treating.
At the same time, though, youknow getting icing and you know
(16:22):
rubbing out, getting your.
You know, yeah, stretching, dowhat you need to do to get
better, but also trying not to.
You know, set your team or not,set your team back, but you
know not upset your team withnot performing the way you
should be or not performing atall.
Speaker 1 (16:36):
So you try to not let it overcome and just find that
balance, not letting it affectyou too much.
That's a good answer.
So now I know this may be atough question because you're
already a powerhouse, but arethere any areas that you'll be
focusing on for improvement inthis upcoming season?
Distance- Distance.
Speaker 3 (16:53):
I would love to have some distance people.
Nobody wants to be them, thoughas a jurisdiction.
We have a bunch of new freshmenand stuff, so I tell them, like
it's really hard If you'retrying to be a 55, 300, long
jumper, like it's probably notgoing to be the year that you
get to meet for these,unfortunately.
I was like so you're training?
I'm like, but you know we haveroom in high jump pole vault,
(17:20):
anything from the 600 up.
So if you can, you know,mentally figure out like, oh, I
can do this and you train for itlike you can get on the bus.
Speaker 1 (17:24):
Yeah, it's an open spot, it's an open spot.
Speaker 3 (17:25):
If not, you're kind of waiting for outdoor until we
get to dual meets.
You can train.
But you know, when you havesome of the top athletes
numerous top athletes in thestate in those events and you're
a freshman walking in andyou've never run track, it's
kind of adapt or you're justtraining.
Speaker 1 (17:41):
That would be tough, trying to push some kids that
way.
Well, maybe they'll developthemselves into distance runners
hopefully underclassmenSomething.
And pole vaulters.
Pole vaulters, yeah.
Speaker 2 (17:51):
Those events that you guys need filled.
Speaker 1 (17:52):
Hopefully they fill those.
Speaker 2 (17:54):
So, heading into the season, how will you both help
to lead the team as captains.
I feel like I'm kind of like themom of the team you know just
making sure everybody's good,making sure everybody's healthy,
making sure everybody's mentalis all set ready, everybody's in
a good spirit, especially forthese team meets, you know,
(18:16):
because up until you knowconference and state-to-state
opens, everything is mostlyindividual.
Because up until you knowconference and state-to-state
opens, everything is mostlyindividual.
So just kind of making sureeverybody is good until then to
keep that momentum going intothese meets where we have to
score points, and just makingsure everybody's good, this team
is dynamic is good, chemistryis good for handoffs and, you
(18:38):
know, just making sureeverything goes good on the
track uh, I think I bring goodenergy, like, very like.
Speaker 4 (18:47):
Oh, I talk a lot, so just you know, making sure
everybody's having a good time,making sure everybody's laughing
, nobody's like sad or anything.
Speaker 1 (18:55):
We don't need that for meets, so yeah you know
that's very important keep themood up basically, if I need
somebody to regulatepeer-to-peer, I call kyla that
is me and if I need someone tolike you know, good energy, like
.
Speaker 3 (19:11):
You know, like the funny one I'll call her there
you go.
You got like something's goingon I'll call her like you need
to, whatever, but I needsomebody to check somebody.
I I'm calling.
Speaker 1 (19:21):
Kyla, there you go.
You got a good pairing righthere.
Speaker 3 (19:24):
You're a little bit of covers everything right.
Speaker 1 (19:26):
So we're just coming out of the off season, so what
did you find was the mosteffective way to stay active and
train?
Speaker 2 (19:32):
We have summer conditionings three times a week
.
It's a little hot during thesummer but we're mostly in the
weight room getting ourendurance back up.
So you know we'll go on likelittle around the school runs,
hills, things like that to getyour speed and your endurance,
to maintain it mostly, notnecessarily to get it back but
(19:53):
to maintain it.
And then hitting the weightroom, you know your squats, your
off season, so you can reallymuscle up and get your tone back
and everything like that.
And then going into thepreparing for the cross country
season, because we do have toparticipate in cross country.
Speaker 4 (20:09):
Yes, Cross country soccer or volleyball?
Oh yes.
Speaker 3 (20:14):
You have to do a fall sport.
They do.
You don't do a fall sport.
Speaker 1 (20:17):
Is that just this program rule?
That's my rule, it's your rule.
Well, sport they do don't do afall sport is.
Is that just a this programrule or is it my rule?
It's your rule?
What keeps you in shape?
Speaker 3 (20:22):
yeah, because I can't have them sitting around.
You know, three days a week isfine all summer, but mostly
we're just doing heavy lifting,so they do that and then they're
not sitting from september tonovember doing nothing.
And then you know, once indoorseason starts like we're on the
track within two weeks, likecompetitively.
So you have to be ready.
So if you're not a soccer orvolleyball star, you will be on
(20:43):
my cross country.
Speaker 1 (20:43):
That's a good rule.
Keeps you mentally andphysically in shape for the
season.
Speaker 3 (20:48):
Unfortunately, yeah, you'll be there, whether you run
the 55 or long jump or whateveryou do.
Speaker 1 (20:54):
You'll be on cross country.
There you go.
Did you guys like cross country?
No?
Speaker 4 (21:00):
They hate it.
They hate it, but you gotthrough it and now you're.
3.1 miles is crazy Wow.
Speaker 1 (21:05):
Yeah, that is probably different from what
you're used to.
Way different it's a good time.
Speaker 3 (21:10):
It's my favorite season.
Speaker 2 (21:12):
It's like a little social hour.
Speaker 1 (21:13):
Yeah, it's probably a different pace.
Speaker 3 (21:21):
Oh yeah, pace, oh yeah, definitely different.
Yeah, they think it's very hard, but I'm like the only day
you're really running threemiles is on meat day.
Speaker 2 (21:24):
Yeah, because compared to like a team where
hall or you know these bigdifferent are these big distance
teams you know that are goingon like five mile runs or like
two mile runs before school.
Speaker 3 (21:36):
We're not doing that, yeah every morning when I drive
in I see hall and conardrunning miles and I'm really,
I'm like they're so disciplined,I'm like and I'm getting and
they're screaming at me over twomiles at practice but we win
right, but we win so see, that'stheir niche is distance, yours
is sprint exactly everyone's gottheir own thing so for this
(21:59):
season, if you had to choose onemotto or one mantra, what would
it be?
Speaker 2 (22:04):
Probably just don't go backwards.
Honestly, I feel like there'sno room to go backwards.
I don't like going from winningto losing.
Losing indoor state opens lastyear was kind of hard because we
uh won it janiya's freshmanyear, my sophomore year, so
(22:27):
losing it or my junior year wasa little was a little rough, but
we did get it back outdoor.
But just going backwards Idon't think is like an option
this year, to be honest.
Um, like I said, ourcompetition is ourselves.
So just wanting to be better,be a better version of our team,
be a better version ofourselves individually, just get
(22:48):
better yeah, that's great ifyou say you're gonna lose,
you're gonna lose.
Speaker 4 (22:53):
If you say you're gonna win, you're gonna win.
Speaker 3 (22:55):
It's true it's all mental right.
Yeah, indoor indoors typicallyare harder season because it is
more distance based.
There's more distance eventsout there, um, you know.
Uh, so just kind of attainingthe things that we've fallen
short on the last couple yearsindoor, trying to go out the
best we can for our seniors andjust continue to be better and
(23:16):
get better and beat yourselves.
Speaker 1 (23:18):
So what are some of the takeaways that you've
learned from high school sportsand indoor track?
Speaker 4 (23:23):
It's real competitive .
Speaker 1 (23:24):
Yes, Really, I'm sure , yes.
Speaker 2 (23:27):
Yeah, because we both participated in AU and youth
track.
So just running where you'rerunning like 9 and 10, 11, 12,
you know.
So you're running with peopleyour age or maybe like a year
older, so it's not that big of adifference.
But, like Janiyah when she wasa freshman, running with seniors
, it's a little different.
So I think just being able toadjust to new things is a very
(23:51):
big takeaway because you know, alot of the time you're not in
high school sports, you're notdoing something that you want to
necessarily do all the time,especially so going into college
I know that's a big thing whereyou know your coach might see
you as something else.
So you know you're doingsomething else.
So I think just learning totrust your coach and making sure
that they know what's best foryou, so just to do it.
Speaker 1 (24:13):
And be open-minded because they may see things that
you don't see about yourself.
Exactly that's good.
Speaker 3 (24:22):
I mean I think they learn a lot.
I mean, I know on my team Idon't know how anybody else runs
their team like they're theretill at least six o'clock every
single day.
So they have to have timemanagement, they have to be able
to.
You know we're in the weightroom at 2.30 after school, so
they have to go home afterpractice.
They got to get their work done.
You know, grades are a hugething with me, like if you're
not in the honor roll, I'mshaming you, like really shaming
you.
And then honestly, like for ahigh school kid, they don't have
(24:44):
one Saturday.
From December until June, everysingle Saturday is taken, you
know, and sometimes we leave at5 am and come home at midnight.
So to be that disciplined, it'shard.
It's hard Like, oh, could we dothis on Sunday?
I never have a Saturday, youknow so, as a teenage girl in
high school, like that's hard,you know so basically, they only
(25:07):
have Sundays to themselves.
So it's a lot of time managementprioritizing.
You know they miss out on a lot, you know.
Speaker 1 (25:17):
That is a good life skills, though.
It is discipline and timemanagement, because when you get
to college or even just lifeand the workforce it will help
prepare you.
You'll know how to balancethings.
Speaker 2 (25:25):
A lot of our team, though, has been doing that, I
feel like, for years though,because youth track there's
really no Saturdays either,sometimes no weekends.
So I think literally 90% of ourteam has done youth track.
So I think we've all alreadykind of are in that mindset or
are pretty disciplined when itcomes to you know, not really or
learning, time management orbeing a very busy person, so
(25:46):
it's kind of easy going into thehigh school doing that too.
Speaker 1 (25:50):
You had some practice getting into it.
Yeah, you were used to it.
So, as the Class S Girls IndoorTrack Powerhouse, if you had to
share a piece of advice tofellow athletes and fellow
coaches, what would it be?
Speaker 2 (26:01):
Don't give up.
I think it's really easy,especially for people who are
just coming in doing track.
It's really hard to give up.
It's really hard at firstbecause it's a very mental thing
.
You're so tired, you can't runor you just want to stop.
So just keep going every day,keep trying to get better,
(26:23):
because it's slowly and slowlygoing to get easier, because
you're slowly and slowly goingto start getting better.
But baby steps, you have tostart from somewhere.
So don't try to rush it.
Don't try to be great off yourfirst day.
If you are, you are, but don'trush it, because you will get
there at some point.
Speaker 3 (26:36):
It's a process, yeah, every indoor class, as we lost
to Weston and Weston was thatcan't be beat team.
Like they were, you know theyhad all the pole vaulters they
had, you know they had the deepteam, and like we just kept
falling short, falling short,and then we won and it was like,
(26:56):
okay, now we need to keepwinning.
Like what can we do to keepwinning, keep building?
And you know, it just becamelike a formula, like how to
spread the team and how tofigure out how to get it done.
Speaker 1 (27:07):
So you probably remember it from both.
Yeah, oh yeah, I remember.
Speaker 3 (27:10):
I remember when we were runner up runner up you
know, and it was like oh, youknow, we can win outdoor, but we
can't win indoors, so yeah,what about you?
Speaker 4 (27:19):
What's your piece of advice?
How you practice is how you'llcompete.
You can't go to practice andjust think that you're not going
to do anything and then expectto do something out of me.
Speaker 1 (27:28):
Yeah, that's true.
You have to give it your all inpractice.
Yeah, that's a good piece ofadvice.
Yeah, because you can't expectto go easy in practice and just
have it come naturally.
So now we're going to head intosome rapid questions.
So I'm sure you guys have seenthese before.
Speaker 2 (27:52):
It's just the first answer that comes to your head,
so okay right janiya favorite
Speaker 1 (27:54):
event to compete in it's rapid, it's gonna be a lot.
Okay, I figured you weren'tgonna say distance or something
like that.
Okay, kyla favorite part ofrace day uh, definitely warm up
looking.
Speaker 2 (28:03):
I don't I like to look intimidating while we're
warming up.
You know, scare the competitiona little bit.
That's a good strategy.
Speaker 1 (28:10):
Coach.
Favorite part about being acoach Ooh, oh, my God, rap Ada.
Speaker 2 (28:17):
The personalities.
Speaker 3 (28:19):
You never know what you're going to get.
Never know.
People ask me what my practiceplan is.
I'm like I don't know.
I have to literally show up topractice and feel them out
before I figure out what whatI'm getting sure, it's probably
different every day.
Speaker 1 (28:31):
It was every day too.
Yeah, yeah, keeps itentertaining and different,
right?
Yeah, all right, janiya.
Indoor outdoor track, outdoor.
Speaker 2 (28:40):
I hate indoor kyla stand up moment in your career
so far um winning the four byfour as state opens by so many
seconds, winning the 4x4 asState opens by so many seconds
and breaking the recordDefinitely.
Speaker 1 (28:53):
Coach any team traditions.
Speaker 3 (28:56):
Ooh, we try to do a dinner before we have States and
we just try to prepare the bestwe can and see what we can get
going before.
Just a positive mindset.
Speaker 1 (29:10):
Nice team dinner.
That's nice for team bondingtoo.
That's good chemistry, yeahthey make me cook.
Is it the same food every yearor is it different?
Speaker 3 (29:17):
It's usually like pasta, chicken wings, stuff like
that Good protein.
Yeah, try to get them ready togo.
Speaker 1 (29:23):
All right, Janiyah music or silence during warm-ups
Music.
That was quick, that was reallyrapid.
I use it all the time.
Is it the same playlist, sameartist, or is it different every
time?
Speaker 4 (29:35):
It really depends on the type of mood that you're in.
Speaker 1 (29:38):
True, Okay, you have a different playlist for every
mood.
Yeah, there you go, kyla.
Any superstitions?
Speaker 2 (29:46):
For me not necessarily a superstition, but
more of like a ritual.
I can say I do a cross with myhands three times before I run.
I have to three times.
Really, yeah, oh, that's nicethough, and praying over the
baton before I release.
Yeah, I like that, that's good.
Speaker 1 (30:05):
That's good to incorporate.
God, all right Coach.
Best piece of advice you'veever received.
Speaker 3 (30:11):
Don't take it too serious that another season's
going to come, no matter whathappened the season before.
There's a chance forimprovement the next season.
Speaker 1 (30:19):
Janiyah hardest race you've ever ran.
The six that's stuck in yourhead.
Speaker 2 (30:26):
He loves it now that's stuck in your head.
You just love it.
Now you never know.
Yeah, kyle a favorite workoutor drill?
Oh gosh, is there a favoriteworkout?
Speaker 1 (30:38):
um damn sorry, rapid, rapid, rapid um you could go
least favorite too, if you oh,if that's easy, least favorite
500s for for sure, for sure youdidn't like that broken six
workout.
Speaker 3 (30:48):
No, no, no, no, no, no, those are brutal Timed yeah
not too fun?
Speaker 1 (30:55):
No, not at all.
Coach, favorite sport otherthan track?
Speaker 3 (31:00):
Ooh, wow, football, football okay.
Speaker 1 (31:03):
Janiyah, favorite athlete Me Ooh good, I've never
had anyone answer that so close?
Speaker 3 (31:11):
Yeah, they're not playing themselves, Not at all.
Speaker 1 (31:15):
Self-confidence.
That's what it is.
All right, kyla.
Speaker 2 (31:17):
Favorite hobbies other than running I would say,
is eating a hobby.
Sure, yeah, plugged your hairbusiness.
Yes, I have a hair business too, so I like to do hair.
Oh, do hobby.
Sure, you got plugged your hairbusiness.
Yes, I have a hair business too, so I like to do hair.
Speaker 1 (31:31):
Oh, do you?
Yes, oh, that's awesome.
That's cool to get started inhigh school.
Speaker 2 (31:33):
Yeah, yes, I have clients, I have a page, I have
yeah, oh, that's awesome, yes,cool, all right, coach favorite
movie.
Speaker 3 (31:42):
Oh, wow, wow.
Erin Brockovich.
Okay, sorry, I gave you sometough ones.
No, that is, it's great.
You should watch it.
It's very motivational.
Speaker 1 (31:49):
Really, I don't think I've heard of it.
You've got to watch it All, iandoes is watch TV.
Speaker 2 (31:53):
I love it yeah.
Speaker 1 (31:54):
You get some like motivational things.
Speaker 3 (32:07):
Yeah, I got to like wind the office, like running
down the hall.
The principal's like, oh, yourteam, Like they're always in my
office and they're everywhere,and then we go from there to the
weight room to practice 7 am to7 am, you know football games,
basketball games like a car fullof kids all the way home.
Speaker 1 (32:26):
So it's all day long, all day long, yeah.
Speaker 3 (32:28):
Like seven to seven nonstop, and then your phone
rings, endings.
Speaker 1 (32:33):
I'm sure, yeah, so then you do need to unwind with
a movie or TV show.
I go to sleep at eight, allright, well, awesome, those were
good rapid fire answers.
So lastly, in the Glory Dayspodcast, we always like to wrap
up by asking our guests what doyou think the purpose of high
school sports is?
Speaker 2 (32:54):
I think it's.
I think high school sports Idon't think it actually has a
purpose, but I think what it canhelp with.
It can help with a lot ofthings in life.
You know, like you were saying,the time management and just
being disciplined and reallyfinding yourself.
I feel like you can findyourself through a lot of high
school sports.
You could find a lot oflongtime friendships.
It could just help you a lot inthe long run.
Speaker 4 (33:15):
Definitely.
I feel like it's another way toget into college without
needing academics.
Speaker 1 (33:21):
That's true it opens doors.
Speaker 4 (33:23):
Yeah, if you need a scholarship and you know you're
not really that good withacademics, you still got the
athletics.
Yeah, that you need ascholarship and you know you're
not really that good withacademics, you still got the
athletics.
Speaker 1 (33:28):
Yeah, that's very true.
Speaker 3 (33:29):
I'm much older than them, so I see it from years
past.
But I feel like everything Ilearned I learned from sports,
like work ethic, time management, basically how to be successful
in life.
I feel like that came from mytime in sports.
Speaker 1 (33:43):
Yeah, there's so much within athletics it's not just
the sport itself.
There's so much withinathletics.
It's not just the sport itself.
There's so much behind it.
Speaker 3 (33:48):
I feel like if I went home every day after school and
high school and napped orwhatever or didn't do college
athletics.
I feel like I would be acompletely different person.
I feel like it just taught meeverything.
Speaker 1 (34:00):
A lot of life skills yeah it's very true.
Well, you guys did awesometoday.
Thank you so much for joiningme.
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (34:12):
And guys did awesome today.
Thank you so much for joiningme.
Thank you, and I wish you thebest of luck.
I hope you're able to come outwith a 15th class s title.
Definitely, definitely, forsure.
Welcome to CIC's Glory Days podcast.
I'm your host, jada Maribel,and today I'm joined by
Bloomfield Girls Indoor Track, atrack dynasty and the class of
state champions.
For the 14th year in a row.
I'm joined by head coach AnnBurrows and two awesome athletes
and captains, jania Barclay andKyla Williams.
Thank you, guys, for joining mehere today.
I'm so excited to have you here.
Thank you for having us.
Of course.
So for some background for theviewers who may not know about
(00:23):
the dynasty of Bloomfield GirlsIndoor Track, it is one of the
most impressive records inConnecticut sports.
Last year you won the 14thstraight class as title.
You have three state opentitles in total, I believe.
And then last year you won the4x200 by 6 seconds, which is
just incredible.
Right, and you two were a partof that relay, right.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
And then you also won the 55 dash finals, which the
top four were Bloomfield runners, and then the four by 400,.
You won by 10 seconds, alongwith the 1600 SMR relay and the
600, which is just.
These are unheard of records,so it's truly a powerhouse and
it's very impressive.
So tell us what sets Bloomfieldgirls indoor track apart?
Speaker 2 (01:03):
from other programs to continue to win all these
titles every year.
I would say winning all thetime.
So not wanting to go backwardswith things, you know why would
we want to win, then lose?
So always just trying to exceedthe expectations that we set
last year and just try to, youknow, pr more, set more records
Like our 4x4 is going to try andbreak every single relay record
(01:25):
that there is at every track wehit.
So just trying to keep gettingbetter.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
Continue improving, yeah definitely.
Speaker 3 (01:33):
Yeah, you don't want to be that class.
It's a rough one when you'rethat class, like that people
remember.
So you got to keep it going.
Speaker 1 (01:41):
Just keep every year getting better and better.
Yeah, so how has the success ofthe program stood the test of
time?
Because obviously, throughoutthe years, everything standards
change, practices change, youhave different athletes every
year.
How do you continue to be sosuccessful?
Speaker 3 (01:55):
I want to say adaptability, like you have to
be able to do what's best forthe team.
You have to be able to pick updifferent events.
You have to be able to kind ofsee what we need, what we don't
need.
You know, not everybody can runthe 55 and the 300, even though
we're predominantly sprinterbased, so like, for instance,
janaya ran the 600 last week.
She did great, but she's a shortsprinter but it's going to make
(02:17):
her 400 better, it's going tomake her 300 better and you know
, at first she was like I'm notdoing this and running away and
hiding on me and now she wantsto run it this weekend, so like
you kind of see like there arethings like, oh, I really don't
want to do this but I need to doit and you end up becoming more
well-rounded.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
Yeah, that's got to be hard if you're just used to
short sprints to go and do alonger distance event it is A
hard adjustment different, Iguess.
So, coach, you're clearly anawesome track coach and very
effective.
You've won the National Coachof the Year Award twice now,
along with yes, along with otherConnecticut.
High School track coachingawards.
So what is your background andwhat brought you to Bloomfield
(02:54):
High School to be the girlsindoor track coach?
Speaker 3 (02:57):
Well, so I was a thrower in high school and in
college I went to CCSU.
So when I started at BloomfieldI was actually student teaching
there, so I walked in and Ibecame the throwing coach and I
was assistant coach for sixyears and then Crystal McKenzie
was the head coach at the timewas like you know, I'm just
going to go to college, I'mgoing to go coach Del State, so
have fun.
And then I ended up witheverything.
(03:20):
So it's been a.
It's been an adjustment, anadjustment.
Runners and throwers are verydifferent people.
Throwers are very laid back,runners are very personable so,
um, yeah, it's it's been, it'sbeen great um being the head
coach you know, for the past 12years, so it was definitely at
first it was a learning curve,but yeah, there had to be an
(03:40):
adjustment if that wasn't inyour background.
Yeah, if you're only that wasfun.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
I mean, it works.
Whatever you're doing, it works.
So you figured it out in a goodway, and so we'll talk about
the players now.
So, jania, you've been a hugepart of the program since you
were a freshman and you're ajunior now, but the last two
years you've been competingagainst seasoned upperclassmen
at these competitive meets.
So how did you maintain focusand composure in those moments?
Speaker 4 (04:04):
I try not to think of them as like upperclassmen.
I try to think of everybody asthe same age because, like
running in, like youth, we ranup against our age group, but
coming into high school you gotto run up against different
varieties of people, so you justhave to like not worry about
them at all.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
That's true.
Just don't think about it Atnot worry about them at all.
That's true.
Just don't think about it AtClass S in 2023, I know we
talked a little bit about thisoff camera, but I believe you're
the only freshman in the finalsfor the Class S and the State
Open, so that's a bigaccomplishment.
So it just goes to show youreally don't think about the
pressure of who you're competingagainst, which is that's a good
trait.
Speaker 4 (04:37):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
And Kyla, congratulations.
I heard you just recentlycommitted to Florida Atlantic.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
University for track.
Speaker 1 (04:43):
Yes, that's, super exciting.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
Yes, it is, I'm ready , ready to take the next step.
Yeah, go down south.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
Yes, oh yes.
Speaker 1 (04:51):
So how have your years track for Bloomfield High
School helped prepare you forthis commitment?
I?
Speaker 2 (04:56):
would say every year.
Like I said before, we justwanted to get better, more and
more each year, so just alwayswanted to PR and hit the track
and hit it better than I didlast year.
So obviously you always want togo down with your numbers and
stuff like that and over theyears our team has done that as
(05:16):
a whole.
So it's just made our teamdynamic get better, everybody
getting faster, everybodypushing each other more and more
.
So I would say my teammatesdefinitely did have a big um
play onto my commitment becauseobviously without their
competition and practice andstuff like that it wouldn't be
possible that's very true.
Speaker 1 (05:35):
Yeah, it sounds like you've learned the trade of a
work ethic which is so importantin college athletics definitely
in life in general.
So what are you most excitedfor for college athletics?
Speaker 2 (05:43):
I think I'm excited for the opportunities that it's
going to bring Getting better.
You know, college sports isobviously more competitive.
You know, way harder, harderworkouts, harder lifts and stuff
like that.
So I'm really excited to keepseeing my numbers drop and, you
know, get the feel of the teamand, you know, be a part of a
(06:05):
team like that.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
Just to continue improving and learn that new
environment.
Have you picked what you'regoing to major in yet?
Speaker 2 (06:10):
I'm thinking to go in business management, business
finances, because I later on dowant to be going to real estate.
So I just chose the morebroader aspect yeah, that's
smart.
Speaker 1 (06:21):
And real estate.
I feel like that area is so bigright now it's building really
quickly.
So what are both of your racestrategies when you step onto
the track?
Are there different approachesfor different events?
Speaker 4 (06:31):
For each event I think there's a different
approach.
Like if I'm going into like a55, I'm just going to say just
run, but if I'm going into the400, I try to strategize my four
Like pacing yeah.
I can't run it straight.
She doesn't like to get out.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
True, yeah, you would have to, because you can't just
go full gas the whole time.
Speaker 4 (06:51):
Yeah, and I feel like I got no stamina.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
I feel like I had no stamina, you know, by the end of
it.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
I think I'm more of the opposite, because where
Janiya is a sprinter, so a lotof the 400, 400 runners at least
whoever was in the top eight ornine um at state opens is a
four, two runner mostly.
So I'm more of a four, not thetwo runner um.
So it's harder for me to getout.
My beginning of my race is alittle slower, so I'm more of a
(07:18):
just just run, like just justrun, don't think about where to
do what, because then it's goingto take away something from
another part of my race.
So I try to just like hit thetrack and just run and get it
over with.
Speaker 1 (07:31):
Yeah, just give it your all.
That probably makes it more funto just go out there and run,
don't?
Think about it Something likethat.
So how do you all, as a team,build the championship lineup?
Because I know there's astrategy with placement of
athletes to get many points aspossible.
So how does that work forBloomfield?
Speaker 3 (07:46):
Well, we have to load events because we don't have a
lot of things Like no one wantsto run distance, you know, it's
like the dreaded, you know.
So I can get a couple kids torun the six, but no one wants to
run the thousand, the mile, the32.
We don't have any pole vaulterscurrently, so we end up loading
up where we can.
So the 55, the 300, all therelays, the throws, the jumps,
(08:10):
so you're going to see us heavyin all of those.
And again, our practice is likea championship because the
better people in the eventsthey're training with them every
day.
I tell them all the time whenyou hit the line and there's
four of you and there's one ofanother kid at thing, like that
has to be very intimidating andyou know you guys should build
(08:31):
upon that and you know, feelthat ease, that basically it's
just like another training daylike, but more competitive.
Speaker 1 (08:37):
Yeah, that's true.
Kids, you're with every day.
Yeah, that's.
That's a good advantage and itmakes up for the areas that you
may not have athletes to fill itin with, but you have those
strong sprinting.
So how do you all preparementally and physically for a
race?
Take me through your pre-raceroutine and warm-ups.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
So pre-meet, so the practice that we'll have before
a meet, we'll just do somestride-outs, work on more
technical things, block starts,everything like that, handoffs.
The day of meets, everybody hastheir own different thing.
A lot of us play our music inthe morning, walk in, warm up,
we'll do outdoor or two laps.
(09:16):
We'll typically do two laps or800 real quick get our muscles
working stretches, drills,everything like that and then
handoffs.
But we also tend to add, likebigger meets, so state open,
states conference, anything likethat You'll usually see us do
like a team prayer.
You know, make sure everybody'sgood batons are good, our 4x4,
(09:40):
4x2, we'll always do like apre--race prayer pray over the
baton, pray over our race thatwe're about to do, make sure
everybody's legs are good.
Um, so definitely the mentalaspect and the um religious
aspect.
You know, making sure you pray,get god in there before you run
oh, it's beautiful.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
I love to hear that.
Do you have the same routine oris it any different?
Speaker 4 (10:01):
I feel like I think we all have like the same
routine.
We listen to music.
Sometimes we listen like on aspeaker out loud bringing good
energy.
We eat together in the mornings, always dunking, we're just
like just bringing good energy.
We're happy on the bus talking,always excited to run.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
Oh yeah, that's awesome.
That mental side of it makes abig difference when you're out
there, I'm sure yeah.
Speaker 3 (10:26):
Duncan makes a pretty penny off us every Saturday
morning.
Everybody walks in with aDuncan bag.
Speaker 1 (10:32):
Really they should sponsor you guys, they should
Duncan.
They got a little shout-out onhere.
So, besides Duncan, what do youall think are the main keys to
success for coaches, teams andplayers?
Speaker 2 (10:47):
I would say just your mental.
You can't go into a race or toa meet with bad mental because
automatically you just messed upeverything.
If you're not mentally in it,you're not physically going to
be in it.
That's just how a lot of thingswork, especially with track.
It's a very mental sport.
So if you're out of it you'rejust not really feeling it and
(11:10):
it shows, or it's going to showon the track for sure.
So going into it with a goodmental, clean mind, eased mind,
it makes the race go by waybetter.
Speaker 1 (11:20):
It's an awesome perspective that goes for life
too.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
Everyone's got to be on the same accord.
Everyone's got to be the samething, the same goal.
You can't have those toxicpeople that don't really want to
be there, that think it's likea social thing.
You've got to be there toperform.
Speaker 1 (11:36):
You have to be aligned as a team.
Speaker 3 (11:37):
That's very true.
Speaker 2 (11:39):
But the good thing about our team, I feel like,
though, is once we do all hitthe track.
We do know that so it's.
We all go on to the track withthe mentality of just once we
hit the track, like everythingelse doesn't matter.
You know we're like at thispoint.
We're a family.
We all go into a tracking withthe same goal, with the same,
you know, yeah, with the samegoal in place just to win, to PR
(12:01):
, to do what we need to do, getoff the track, you know, handle
everything else off the track,but once we get on the track, we
know that it's time to go.
Speaker 1 (12:08):
Yeah, it's nice to hear, because, track, there's a
lot of individual sides of it, alot of individual events, so
it's nice to hear that you thinkof it from the team perspective
as well, because that wouldprobably be, yeah, I think
that's what we try to stress themost like that.
Speaker 3 (12:20):
they need everybody.
Everybody has a track program,but in order to succeed or in
order to win all these classes,championships, five for the CCC
conference and stayed open, theyhave to come together as a team
.
It doesn't matter, Even if youwin your three events, you're
only bringing home 30 points.
30 points isn't going to winany of those things.
So they all need each other.
So everybody has to be on theirA game and step up.
Speaker 1 (12:42):
That's true, you all.
So everybody has to be on theirA game and step up.
That's true.
You'll have to put your allinto it, yeah, so, coach, what
do you think these extremelysuccessful past seasons not only
say about the type of coach youare, but the type of athletes
that you continue to have onyour team?
Speaker 3 (12:52):
I mean I definitely have had some of the most
talented athletes.
I mean it has been a gift,honestly.
Every year more and moreathletes come into the program
and whether they grow or theycome in from youth track and
they already have the talentbase, I mean they continue to
develop upon it and you know mygoal is to get as many of them
to college as we can.
(13:13):
So we've been very lucky inthat many of our athletes have
got Division I or Division IIscholarships, gone on to the
next level, had successfulcollege careers you know,
succeeded in life.
So that's definitely my maingoal is just to get them through
the program, win as much as wecan, and then, you know, have
them be successful in life.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
Yeah, help develop them for the next time yeah.
That's awesome.
So what do you think are yourstrengths as?
A team heading into the season.
Speaker 2 (13:42):
Besides all the talent, I would say just the
love that everybody has for thesport I think plays a part in it
too.
Just everybody wantingeverybody with the same goal,
everybody with the same mindseton winning, pring and just
trying to get better.
The fact that we all go intostate opens or states not
(14:05):
wanting to lose, you know,wanting to keep up with our
state titles, it just keeps themotivation going.
So it makes all of ourteammates and the athletes on
our team just perform way betterthan expected, like State Opens
last year.
Speaker 4 (14:23):
We're all very determined, very determined,
determined at practice,determined at meets, determined
on the offseason.
I feel like just ourdetermination.
Speaker 1 (14:34):
Yeah, that makes a big difference to get through it
.
Speaker 3 (14:36):
And when you have such a competitive team, it's
like if you're not on your Agame, there's always someone
that can step up.
Or you know, you can movethings around.
You can shuffle the deck Likeyou know if they're not.
Somebody's not performing well,they're off that week, they're
sick.
There's always somebody thatcan fill that place, fill that
role.
Speaker 1 (14:54):
That's true.
Speaker 2 (14:54):
I feel like that's what makes our team so
competitive and so good, becausewe are such a stacked team.
So just knowing that you knowyour spot can get taken or get
replaced in a second just keepsyou wanting to get better, keep
getting better, keep, you know,improving.
And then it also goes intowinning all the time, like
(15:18):
winning our state championshipsall the time.
And it also goes into winningall the time like winning our
state championships all the time, like now we're honestly
looking at oh, what's the likestate record on how many points
you could score at state opens?
Like let's try to beat that.
So it's just trying to beatourselves.
At this point, you know wantingto just get better and better
and better, because at thispoint our competition is ourself
.
Speaker 1 (15:35):
Wow, yeah, and just continue to be your best.
Speaker 2 (15:37):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (15:38):
So how do you all, as individuals and as a team, push
through injuries or setbacks?
Speaker 4 (15:45):
Because I'm sure you've dealt with some
throughout your running careers.
I run through the injuries.
I try to think like it's amental thing and that I'm not
hurting.
Speaker 1 (15:53):
Yeah, that's actually .
I mean, it's probably not goodfor your body, but it's good
mentally.
Yeah, you can get through it.
Speaker 2 (15:57):
Yeah, that's like 90% of our team.
Honestly, whenever something'swrong with us, we're just like
brush it off, kind of.
You know we have, oh, this meetis coming up.
You know we have to get thisdone.
So we kind of just push throughour injuries as best as we can
and try not to let it affect usas much, while still treating.
At the same time, though, youknow getting icing and you know
(16:22):
rubbing out, getting your.
You know, yeah, stretching, dowhat you need to do to get
better, but also trying not to.
You know, set your team or not,set your team back, but you
know not upset your team withnot performing the way you
should be or not performing atall.
Speaker 1 (16:36):
So you try to not let it overcome and just find that
balance, not letting it affectyou too much.
That's a good answer.
So now I know this may be atough question because you're
already a powerhouse, but arethere any areas that you'll be
focusing on for improvement inthis upcoming season?
Distance- Distance.
Speaker 3 (16:53):
I would love to have some distance people.
Nobody wants to be them, thoughas a jurisdiction.
We have a bunch of new freshmenand stuff, so I tell them, like
it's really hard If you'retrying to be a 55, 300, long
jumper, like it's probably notgoing to be the year that you
get to meet for these,unfortunately.
I was like so you're training?
I'm like, but you know we haveroom in high jump pole vault,
(17:20):
anything from the 600 up.
So if you can, you know,mentally figure out like, oh, I
can do this and you train for itlike you can get on the bus.
Speaker 1 (17:24):
Yeah, it's an open spot, it's an open spot.
Speaker 3 (17:25):
If not, you're kind of waiting for outdoor until we
get to dual meets.
You can train.
But you know, when you havesome of the top athletes
numerous top athletes in thestate in those events and you're
a freshman walking in andyou've never run track, it's
kind of adapt or you're justtraining.
Speaker 1 (17:41):
That would be tough, trying to push some kids that
way.
Well, maybe they'll developthemselves into distance runners
hopefully underclassmenSomething.
And pole vaulters.
Pole vaulters, yeah.
Speaker 2 (17:51):
Those events that you guys need filled.
Speaker 1 (17:52):
Hopefully they fill those.
Speaker 2 (17:54):
So, heading into the season, how will you both help
to lead the team as captains.
I feel like I'm kind of like themom of the team you know just
making sure everybody's good,making sure everybody's healthy,
making sure everybody's mentalis all set ready, everybody's in
a good spirit, especially forthese team meets, you know,
(18:16):
because up until you knowconference and state-to-state
opens, everything is mostlyindividual.
Because up until you knowconference and state-to-state
opens, everything is mostlyindividual.
So just kind of making sureeverybody is good until then to
keep that momentum going intothese meets where we have to
score points, and just makingsure everybody's good, this team
is dynamic is good, chemistryis good for handoffs and, you
(18:38):
know, just making sureeverything goes good on the
track uh, I think I bring goodenergy, like, very like.
Speaker 4 (18:47):
Oh, I talk a lot, so just you know, making sure
everybody's having a good time,making sure everybody's laughing
, nobody's like sad or anything.
Speaker 1 (18:55):
We don't need that for meets, so yeah you know
that's very important keep themood up basically, if I need
somebody to regulatepeer-to-peer, I call kyla that
is me and if I need someone tolike you know, good energy, like
.
Speaker 3 (19:11):
You know, like the funny one I'll call her there
you go.
You got like something's goingon I'll call her like you need
to, whatever, but I needsomebody to check somebody.
I I'm calling.
Speaker 1 (19:21):
Kyla, there you go.
You got a good pairing righthere.
Speaker 3 (19:24):
You're a little bit of covers everything right.
Speaker 1 (19:26):
So we're just coming out of the off season, so what
did you find was the mosteffective way to stay active and
train?
Speaker 2 (19:32):
We have summer conditionings three times a week
.
It's a little hot during thesummer but we're mostly in the
weight room getting ourendurance back up.
So you know we'll go on likelittle around the school runs,
hills, things like that to getyour speed and your endurance,
to maintain it mostly, notnecessarily to get it back but
(19:53):
to maintain it.
And then hitting the weightroom, you know your squats, your
off season, so you can reallymuscle up and get your tone back
and everything like that.
And then going into thepreparing for the cross country
season, because we do have toparticipate in cross country.
Speaker 4 (20:09):
Yes, Cross country soccer or volleyball?
Oh yes.
Speaker 3 (20:14):
You have to do a fall sport.
They do.
You don't do a fall sport.
Speaker 1 (20:17):
Is that just this program rule?
That's my rule, it's your rule.
Well, sport they do don't do afall sport is.
Is that just a this programrule or is it my rule?
It's your rule?
What keeps you in shape?
Speaker 3 (20:22):
yeah, because I can't have them sitting around.
You know, three days a week isfine all summer, but mostly
we're just doing heavy lifting,so they do that and then they're
not sitting from september tonovember doing nothing.
And then you know, once indoorseason starts like we're on the
track within two weeks, likecompetitively.
So you have to be ready.
So if you're not a soccer orvolleyball star, you will be on
(20:43):
my cross country.
Speaker 1 (20:43):
That's a good rule.
Keeps you mentally andphysically in shape for the
season.
Speaker 3 (20:48):
Unfortunately, yeah, you'll be there, whether you run
the 55 or long jump or whateveryou do.
Speaker 1 (20:54):
You'll be on cross country.
There you go.
Did you guys like cross country?
No?
Speaker 4 (21:00):
They hate it.
They hate it, but you gotthrough it and now you're.
3.1 miles is crazy Wow.
Speaker 1 (21:05):
Yeah, that is probably different from what
you're used to.
Way different it's a good time.
Speaker 3 (21:10):
It's my favorite season.
Speaker 2 (21:12):
It's like a little social hour.
Speaker 1 (21:13):
Yeah, it's probably a different pace.
Speaker 3 (21:21):
Oh yeah, pace, oh yeah, definitely different.
Yeah, they think it's very hard, but I'm like the only day
you're really running threemiles is on meat day.
Speaker 2 (21:24):
Yeah, because compared to like a team where
hall or you know these bigdifferent are these big distance
teams you know that are goingon like five mile runs or like
two mile runs before school.
Speaker 3 (21:36):
We're not doing that, yeah every morning when I drive
in I see hall and conardrunning miles and I'm really,
I'm like they're so disciplined,I'm like and I'm getting and
they're screaming at me over twomiles at practice but we win
right, but we win so see, that'stheir niche is distance, yours
is sprint exactly everyone's gottheir own thing so for this
(21:59):
season, if you had to choose onemotto or one mantra, what would
it be?
Speaker 2 (22:04):
Probably just don't go backwards.
Honestly, I feel like there'sno room to go backwards.
I don't like going from winningto losing.
Losing indoor state opens lastyear was kind of hard because we
uh won it janiya's freshmanyear, my sophomore year, so
(22:27):
losing it or my junior year wasa little was a little rough, but
we did get it back outdoor.
But just going backwards Idon't think is like an option
this year, to be honest.
Um, like I said, ourcompetition is ourselves.
So just wanting to be better,be a better version of our team,
be a better version ofourselves individually, just get
(22:48):
better yeah, that's great ifyou say you're gonna lose,
you're gonna lose.
Speaker 4 (22:53):
If you say you're gonna win, you're gonna win.
Speaker 3 (22:55):
It's true it's all mental right.
Yeah, indoor indoors typicallyare harder season because it is
more distance based.
There's more distance eventsout there, um, you know.
Uh, so just kind of attainingthe things that we've fallen
short on the last couple yearsindoor, trying to go out the
best we can for our seniors andjust continue to be better and
(23:16):
get better and beat yourselves.
Speaker 1 (23:18):
So what are some of the takeaways that you've
learned from high school sportsand indoor track?
Speaker 4 (23:23):
It's real competitive .
Speaker 1 (23:24):
Yes, Really, I'm sure , yes.
Speaker 2 (23:27):
Yeah, because we both participated in AU and youth
track.
So just running where you'rerunning like 9 and 10, 11, 12,
you know.
So you're running with peopleyour age or maybe like a year
older, so it's not that big of adifference.
But, like Janiyah when she wasa freshman, running with seniors
, it's a little different.
So I think just being able toadjust to new things is a very
(23:51):
big takeaway because you know, alot of the time you're not in
high school sports, you're notdoing something that you want to
necessarily do all the time,especially so going into college
I know that's a big thing whereyou know your coach might see
you as something else.
So you know you're doingsomething else.
So I think just learning totrust your coach and making sure
that they know what's best foryou, so just to do it.
Speaker 1 (24:13):
And be open-minded because they may see things that
you don't see about yourself.
Exactly that's good.
Speaker 3 (24:22):
I mean I think they learn a lot.
I mean, I know on my team Idon't know how anybody else runs
their team like they're theretill at least six o'clock every
single day.
So they have to have timemanagement, they have to be able
to.
You know we're in the weightroom at 2.30 after school, so
they have to go home afterpractice.
They got to get their work done.
You know, grades are a hugething with me, like if you're
not in the honor roll, I'mshaming you, like really shaming
you.
And then honestly, like for ahigh school kid, they don't have
(24:44):
one Saturday.
From December until June, everysingle Saturday is taken, you
know, and sometimes we leave at5 am and come home at midnight.
So to be that disciplined, it'shard.
It's hard Like, oh, could we dothis on Sunday?
I never have a Saturday, youknow so, as a teenage girl in
high school, like that's hard,you know so basically, they only
(25:07):
have Sundays to themselves.
So it's a lot of time managementprioritizing.
You know they miss out on a lot, you know.
Speaker 1 (25:17):
That is a good life skills, though.
It is discipline and timemanagement, because when you get
to college or even just lifeand the workforce it will help
prepare you.
You'll know how to balancethings.
Speaker 2 (25:25):
A lot of our team, though, has been doing that, I
feel like, for years though,because youth track there's
really no Saturdays either,sometimes no weekends.
So I think literally 90% of ourteam has done youth track.
So I think we've all alreadykind of are in that mindset or
are pretty disciplined when itcomes to you know, not really or
learning, time management orbeing a very busy person, so
(25:46):
it's kind of easy going into thehigh school doing that too.
Speaker 1 (25:50):
You had some practice getting into it.
Yeah, you were used to it.
So, as the Class S Girls IndoorTrack Powerhouse, if you had to
share a piece of advice tofellow athletes and fellow
coaches, what would it be?
Speaker 2 (26:01):
Don't give up.
I think it's really easy,especially for people who are
just coming in doing track.
It's really hard to give up.
It's really hard at firstbecause it's a very mental thing
.
You're so tired, you can't runor you just want to stop.
So just keep going every day,keep trying to get better,
(26:23):
because it's slowly and slowlygoing to get easier, because
you're slowly and slowly goingto start getting better.
But baby steps, you have tostart from somewhere.
So don't try to rush it.
Don't try to be great off yourfirst day.
If you are, you are, but don'trush it, because you will get
there at some point.
Speaker 3 (26:36):
It's a process, yeah, every indoor class, as we lost
to Weston and Weston was thatcan't be beat team.
Like they were, you know theyhad all the pole vaulters they
had, you know they had the deepteam, and like we just kept
falling short, falling short,and then we won and it was like,
(26:56):
okay, now we need to keepwinning.
Like what can we do to keepwinning, keep building?
And you know, it just becamelike a formula, like how to
spread the team and how tofigure out how to get it done.
Speaker 1 (27:07):
So you probably remember it from both.
Yeah, oh yeah, I remember.
Speaker 3 (27:10):
I remember when we were runner up runner up you
know, and it was like oh, youknow, we can win outdoor, but we
can't win indoors, so yeah,what about you?
Speaker 4 (27:19):
What's your piece of advice?
How you practice is how you'llcompete.
You can't go to practice andjust think that you're not going
to do anything and then expectto do something out of me.
Speaker 1 (27:28):
Yeah, that's true.
You have to give it your all inpractice.
Yeah, that's a good piece ofadvice.
Yeah, because you can't expectto go easy in practice and just
have it come naturally.
So now we're going to head intosome rapid questions.
So I'm sure you guys have seenthese before.
Speaker 2 (27:52):
It's just the first answer that comes to your head,
so okay right janiya favorite
Speaker 1 (27:54):
event to compete in it's rapid, it's gonna be a lot.
Okay, I figured you weren'tgonna say distance or something
like that.
Okay, kyla favorite part ofrace day uh, definitely warm up
looking.
Speaker 2 (28:03):
I don't I like to look intimidating while we're
warming up.
You know, scare the competitiona little bit.
That's a good strategy.
Speaker 1 (28:10):
Coach.
Favorite part about being acoach Ooh, oh, my God, rap Ada.
Speaker 2 (28:17):
The personalities.
Speaker 3 (28:19):
You never know what you're going to get.
Never know.
People ask me what my practiceplan is.
I'm like I don't know.
I have to literally show up topractice and feel them out
before I figure out what whatI'm getting sure, it's probably
different every day.
Speaker 1 (28:31):
It was every day too.
Yeah, yeah, keeps itentertaining and different,
right?
Yeah, all right, janiya.
Indoor outdoor track, outdoor.
Speaker 2 (28:40):
I hate indoor kyla stand up moment in your career
so far um winning the four byfour as state opens by so many
seconds, winning the 4x4 asState opens by so many seconds
and breaking the recordDefinitely.
Speaker 1 (28:53):
Coach any team traditions.
Speaker 3 (28:56):
Ooh, we try to do a dinner before we have States and
we just try to prepare the bestwe can and see what we can get
going before.
Just a positive mindset.
Speaker 1 (29:10):
Nice team dinner.
That's nice for team bondingtoo.
That's good chemistry, yeahthey make me cook.
Is it the same food every yearor is it different?
Speaker 3 (29:17):
It's usually like pasta, chicken wings, stuff like
that Good protein.
Yeah, try to get them ready togo.
Speaker 1 (29:23):
All right, Janiyah music or silence during warm-ups
Music.
That was quick, that was reallyrapid.
I use it all the time.
Is it the same playlist, sameartist, or is it different every
time?
Speaker 4 (29:35):
It really depends on the type of mood that you're in.
Speaker 1 (29:38):
True, Okay, you have a different playlist for every
mood.
Yeah, there you go, kyla.
Any superstitions?
Speaker 2 (29:46):
For me not necessarily a superstition, but
more of like a ritual.
I can say I do a cross with myhands three times before I run.
I have to three times.
Really, yeah, oh, that's nicethough, and praying over the
baton before I release.
Yeah, I like that, that's good.
Speaker 1 (30:05):
That's good to incorporate.
God, all right Coach.
Best piece of advice you'veever received.
Speaker 3 (30:11):
Don't take it too serious that another season's
going to come, no matter whathappened the season before.
There's a chance forimprovement the next season.
Speaker 1 (30:19):
Janiyah hardest race you've ever ran.
The six that's stuck in yourhead.
Speaker 2 (30:26):
He loves it now that's stuck in your head.
You just love it.
Now you never know.
Yeah, kyle a favorite workoutor drill?
Oh gosh, is there a favoriteworkout?
Speaker 1 (30:38):
um damn sorry, rapid, rapid, rapid um you could go
least favorite too, if you oh,if that's easy, least favorite
500s for for sure, for sure youdidn't like that broken six
workout.
Speaker 3 (30:48):
No, no, no, no, no, no, those are brutal Timed yeah
not too fun?
Speaker 1 (30:55):
No, not at all.
Coach, favorite sport otherthan track?
Speaker 3 (31:00):
Ooh, wow, football, football okay.
Speaker 1 (31:03):
Janiyah, favorite athlete Me Ooh good, I've never
had anyone answer that so close?
Speaker 3 (31:11):
Yeah, they're not playing themselves, Not at all.
Speaker 1 (31:15):
Self-confidence.
That's what it is.
All right, kyla.
Speaker 2 (31:17):
Favorite hobbies other than running I would say,
is eating a hobby.
Sure, yeah, plugged your hairbusiness.
Yes, I have a hair business too, so I like to do hair.
Oh, do hobby.
Sure, you got plugged your hairbusiness.
Yes, I have a hair business too, so I like to do hair.
Speaker 1 (31:31):
Oh, do you?
Yes, oh, that's awesome.
That's cool to get started inhigh school.
Speaker 2 (31:33):
Yeah, yes, I have clients, I have a page, I have
yeah, oh, that's awesome, yes,cool, all right, coach favorite
movie.
Speaker 3 (31:42):
Oh, wow, wow.
Erin Brockovich.
Okay, sorry, I gave you sometough ones.
No, that is, it's great.
You should watch it.
It's very motivational.
Speaker 1 (31:49):
Really, I don't think I've heard of it.
You've got to watch it All, iandoes is watch TV.
Speaker 2 (31:53):
I love it yeah.
Speaker 1 (31:54):
You get some like motivational things.
Speaker 3 (32:07):
Yeah, I got to like wind the office, like running
down the hall.
The principal's like, oh, yourteam, Like they're always in my
office and they're everywhere,and then we go from there to the
weight room to practice 7 am to7 am, you know football games,
basketball games like a car fullof kids all the way home.
Speaker 1 (32:26):
So it's all day long, all day long, yeah.
Speaker 3 (32:28):
Like seven to seven nonstop, and then your phone
rings, endings.
Speaker 1 (32:33):
I'm sure, yeah, so then you do need to unwind with
a movie or TV show.
I go to sleep at eight, allright, well, awesome, those were
good rapid fire answers.
So lastly, in the Glory Dayspodcast, we always like to wrap
up by asking our guests what doyou think the purpose of high
school sports is?
Speaker 2 (32:54):
I think it's.
I think high school sports Idon't think it actually has a
purpose, but I think what it canhelp with.
It can help with a lot ofthings in life.
You know, like you were saying,the time management and just
being disciplined and reallyfinding yourself.
I feel like you can findyourself through a lot of high
school sports.
You could find a lot oflongtime friendships.
It could just help you a lot inthe long run.
Speaker 4 (33:15):
Definitely.
I feel like it's another way toget into college without
needing academics.
Speaker 1 (33:21):
That's true it opens doors.
Speaker 4 (33:23):
Yeah, if you need a scholarship and you know you're
not really that good withacademics, you still got the
athletics.
Yeah, that you need ascholarship and you know you're
not really that good withacademics, you still got the
athletics.
Speaker 1 (33:28):
Yeah, that's very true.
Speaker 3 (33:29):
I'm much older than them, so I see it from years
past.
But I feel like everything Ilearned I learned from sports,
like work ethic, time management, basically how to be successful
in life.
I feel like that came from mytime in sports.
Speaker 1 (33:43):
Yeah, there's so much within athletics it's not just
the sport itself.
There's so much withinathletics.
It's not just the sport itself.
There's so much behind it.
Speaker 3 (33:48):
I feel like if I went home every day after school and
high school and napped orwhatever or didn't do college
athletics.
I feel like I would be acompletely different person.
I feel like it just taught meeverything.
Speaker 1 (34:00):
A lot of life skills yeah it's very true.
Well, you guys did awesometoday.
Thank you so much for joiningme.
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (34:12):
And guys did awesome today.
Thank you so much for joiningme.
Thank you, and I wish you thebest of luck.
I hope you're able to come outwith a 15th class s title.
Definitely, definitely, forsure.
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The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.