Illini Track & Field, Cross Country

#3      
Champaign Toast
I know the Armory indoor track facility was not too long ago renovated; still, our indoor facility is not up to standard with the better track programs. Anyone hear anything about a bigger indoor facility with banked curves being in the works? Would be great to pair a top-notch indoor facility with the new outdoor facility.

That and a new gymnastics training facility would seem to me to be the next obvious capital athletic projects after the most recent round that included soccer, outdoor track, football, basketball, baseball, and softball.
 
Last edited:
#14      
chiefini
#16      
BRucks
Coach Haveman is leaving for a position with U. of Texas. Watch for Olivia Howell to follow. Texas stole Buford Bailey from us a decade ago.
 
Last edited:
#17      
Boskydell
BRucks said:
Coach Haveman is leaving for a position with U. of Texas. Watch for Olivia Howell to follow. Texas stole Buford Bailey from us a decade ago.
Click to expand...
Sucks. Are we going to replace her? Or are we no longer placing much emphasis on cross country and middle distance or distance running? Or is that too pessimistic?
 
#19      
BRucks
Boskydell said:
Sucks. Are we going to replace her? Or are we no longer placing much emphasis on cross country and middle distance or distance running? Or is that too pessimistic?
Click to expand...
She will be replaced. You are correct that coach plans to deemphasis distance events. He wants a national championship and that's not easy to accomplish if you spread your available resources over all events. There are basically three approaches. You can concentrate on distance events which allows you to double dip between cross country and track events. You can concentrate on sprints and hurdles since most great hurdlers can also be effective sprinters. Most programs do one of these. Petros has chosen a third approach, i.e. field events. He feels that this is the path of least resistance and, thus, the quickest way to the top since few other programs attempt it. Events like hammer, weight throw and javelin are seldom competed at the high school level in this country. Petros has many international connections in areas where they are held so he feels as though he can capitalize on them. He has also recruited a very strong husband/wife coaching team for the throws. If you look at his most recent recruiting class you will find lots of throwers and jumpers.
 
#22      
chiefini
Welcome to Illinois, Coach! Hoping you can help Petros coach those Illini into earning that National Championship!
 
#23      
BRucks
Looks impressive. Does anyone know why she left Oregon which is one of the premier programs in the country?
 
#25      
BRucks
BRucks said:
Looks impressive. Does anyone know why she left Oregon which is one of the premier programs in the country?
Click to expand...
Apparently there was a change in the head coaching position and she was mot retained.
 
Back