New Berlin Junior High Girls Track 2018

Coach Staley’s Information for Parents

Welcome to New Berlin Junior High Track and Field. My name is Steven Staley. I will be this
year’s girls track coach. I have coached Jr High track since 2009, and this will be my fourth year with the
girl’s team.
In 1971 I graduated from New Berlin high school after four years of track. Being an avid runner,
I still compete in road and trail races, so you will very likely see me running with the team at times
during our distance training.
One of the many things I enjoy about coaching track is the opportunity to get to know and work
with young people at the start of their athletic endeavors. At the end of our season, I hope all the girls
will have learned to love the sport of track and field.

Some parents and families may be new to the sport of track and field, so I will give a short
overview. Junior High track and field competition has been structured to permit sixth and seventh
grades to compete separately from the eighth grade. This helps to level the field with regard to physical
maturity. As a result, four separate competitions will occur at a Junior High meet. Girls 7th, Girls 8th,
Boys 7th, and Boys 8th, will all compete at different times during the day’s competition, with the order of
events determined by the host school. Athletes in grades 6 and 7 can compete in either the 7th or 8th
grade division for the day’s events. Athletes in grade 8 are restricted to 8th grade division competition
for the entire year.

IESA events on the track (running events) include:

IESA events on the field (throwing, jumping) include:

The IESA has a recommended an order of events to which most schools will adhere:
Running Event Order: (G=girls)
Class 7G Low Hurdles -- followed by 8G
Class 7G 100 M Dash “
Class 7G 1600 M Run “
Class 7G 4x200 M Relay “
Class 7G 4x100 M Relay “
Class 7G 400 M Dash “
Class 7G 200 M Dash “
Class 7G 800 M Run “
Class 7G 4x400 M Relay “
As a rule, all of the boy’s field events will be completed while the girls are running on the track,
and usually the meet begins with this order. When the girls have finished all of their running events,
they will proceed to field events, and the boys will then go to running events.
Because the team’s coach cannot be at every event, members will be given an outline of the
day’s competition. Each athlete will then be responsible for reporting on time for his or her event.

One of the many great things about track and field competition is the respect and appreciation
all of the coaches, competitors, parents and families extend to all athletes. You will find yourself
cheering for athletes from other schools as well as for our own. New Berlin track and field athletes,
parents and families have always been wonderful hosts and guests.

Continued:
 New Berlin Junior High Girls Track 2018
Coach Staley’s Information for Parents

In my past years of coaching, there has been one question that parents often ask. It concerns
the thought process that governs decisions on the placement of athletes in their respective events.
Most often, the decision is determined by who is the fastest, or who can jump or throw the highest or
farthest. Sometimes, however, there are factors that may make this decision a little more complicated.
For instance: if the fastest runner is not reliable, has missed practice, or has not put forth good efforts at
practice, this will affect their placement. Other considerations may include injury or illness. In all
situations, the final decision is intended to benefit both the individual and the team.

I hope to meet and get to know all of the team parents and families. It is important for parents
to contact me about any concerns they have during the season as soon as the concern arises. Please
stop by any time after practice to talk. Practice will usually end no later than 5:30. I will not be available
to talk during practice. However, if there is an emergency, please text me, and I will get back to you as
soon as I can. It is the school’s policy that only personnel authorized by the school board may be
present during practice.

Please keep in mind we are outside most days for practice, and all track meets will run as
scheduled unless the weather is severe. Always be prepared for the cold. All uniforms for competition
are supplied by the school. Leggings, sweats and shoes are the athlete’s responsibility.

In the past, we have had great parent support for help with our home track meets. It is very
important to have enough volunteers for timing running events, and for helping with field events.
Volunteering offers an excellent opportunity to see the competition up close, and to be in the middle of
the meet. I will be sending out a sign-up list to the parents early in the season, with each home meet
listed by date.

I look forward to meeting you.

Sincerely,
Coach Staley

Currently member:
USATF – United States of America Track and Field,
Safe Sport Coaches Registry
Level 1 Certification USATF
ITCCCA - Illinois Track and Cross Country Coaches Association

Cell phone: – 494-0818, Texting works well.

A blog for Information and updates: nb16jhtrack.blogspot.com

Twitter: - @Stapretzel (last minute updates)

Email: sstaley@pretzelpride.com