Coach Ben Nicholas

Man I love my team

Track & field is one of the last places in a school where the football captain, the valedictorian, the band kid, the wrestler, and the quiet kid who never thought he belonged can all wear the same jersey. Track does not care what a kid’s last name is, how much money he has, what side of town he lives on, or how popular he is. Out here, none of that matters. Somewhere between the workouts, the bus rides, and the meets, kids who might never have spoken to each other start to build real respect. It is hard not to respect somebody when you have seen what they are willing to push through and how much they are willing to give. That is a big reason track & field will always mean more to me than just times, marks, and points.

Had a good conversation with a senior boy today regarding why boys at our school quit distance running while girls do not. First, this boy has progressed in XC from 21:47➡️ 18:52➡️ 17:28 ➡️ 16:59. In track, he’s progressed from 5:31 ➡️ 5:04➡️ 4:54 ➡️ 4:39 (so far). He first explained that he hated distance running as a freshman because it was hard and he wasn’t very good but his dad forced him to do a sport. He said the reason he stuck it out is because of the relationships he made with the older boys on the team. Because of that relationship, he naturally wanted to improve and be part of the group. Now, as a senior, he is pretty successful and is contributing. He also mentioned that unlike what’s common with girls, it usually takes a while for most boys to be able to contribute on a varsity level. It feels like it takes more work per se, according to him and that a lot of boys are not willing to go through that. I think there’s a lot of truth there.

We started this track season with 43+ athletes. Because of prom, soccer, baseball, softball, work, and probably my own coaching ineptitude, we’re going to finish with 21. I’ve got to totally restart and revamp the program next year. Tweeting to hold my feet to the fire.

DOWN GOES THE DISCUS SCHOOL RECORD ONCE AGAIN‼️ After holding up for 55 years, Nate Collier has broken the school record in the Discus for the second straight meet with his throw of 57.32 meters to win the Stanford Invitational 🤠 #GoPokes I #run4okstate

I wonder how well it would work to film a track meet with a VEO camera

@CoachScribner That’s an early prom! Hate that they had to choose, but it just is that way sometimes

@BenNicholas47 State XC championship was on the same day as our Prom…

I think my hardest coaching task to date is trying to convince our girls that it’s possible to compete at our district meet AND go to prom in the same night. Yes. Same night. Just like the last 4 years. Beyond my control. It’s easier trying to convince a wall to move lol

That being said, we had a great day with distance and with the jumpers! I’m really enjoying teaching LJ! It’s been a lot of fun, and super refreshing on the year. I think sometimes in stuff you know you can get weighed down with the “what if’s” and this new thing just flows

Track and Field is not for the weak

I’m no expert, but I don’t think you can “hawk em down” in the first 100m of the first leg of a 4x400

Tonight my daughter called me back into the room after I put her down to sleep. She’s been fighting going to bed recently, so I thought about just closing the door, but I went back in there. She said “night-night daddy. Love you” Is there any way to keep her this age forever??

“I can’t believe you run distance, that’s crazy!” I can’t believe y’all willingly jump into sand every day. That stuff is everywhere! All I did was rake, why is it in my shoes and hair???

In addition to distance, throws, hurdles, and sprints, I’ve added long jump to my coaching list this season. The group is brand new, and It’s been nice to work with kids so eager to learn. I’ve added finding a better alternative to sand on my long list of things to do though

@hunterco Just happy to help! Good thing there’s no triple lol that’s my least favorite

@BenNicholas47 Doesn’t matter. But it’s MHSAA events so don’t complain that there’s no Jav or Triple listed.

Track people help me out. Fill out this form ranking MHSAA high school events. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAI…

“There’s something about an athlete that you have to believe that you’re better than you are. You have to. But, the great ones can also look really honestly with themselves and go you know what? I’m afraid. I need to get better at this. I need to get better at that,” Dave Roberts

Motiv went to @sxsw! We saw some awesome innovation & connected with several TX athletic leaders! We hosted a panel, too (IYKYK). Special s/o to @Village_Tech's AD @BenNicholas47 for meeting up in Waco💪Thank you to @uofcincy Center for Entrepreneurship for making this possible!

No Irish support staff were harmed in the running of these 40s 🫣☘️ #GoIrish☘️

Just the beginning ⭐️ SEE YOU IN THE STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS!!!!

@steven_montoya I stopped getting bags for our tent. Just got the cheapest dolly at Home Depot and some rope. Does it look good? No. Is it more efficient? Probably not. But I haven’t had to think about it in 3 seasons and that’s enough for me

We’re 5 meets into the track season and we’re on travel bag #3 for our team tent and as we set it up this morning, a bracket blew up and now that needs a nut to hold it all together.