Coach Builds Young Dayton Team

DAYTON - Dayton track and field head coach Dan Nechodom isn't training athletes to sprint toward districts in May, he's train­ing students to be athletes for life.

Nechodom is new to the high school scope of track and field, but the sport is old hat for the former middle school track and field coach of 16 years. For his relatively young team however, that may not be the case.

With only two students returning from last year and one other with previous track and field experience, Nechodom has his work cut out for him. But it's not all doom and gloom this season.

While the team has a lot of work to do, Necho­dom said his 16-member team has been following his coaching so far.

"There are a whole lot of (students on the team) who are taking to heart what I've been emphasizing," Nechodom said. "Which is learning how to take care of themselves."

Nechodom said when athletes expect their bodies to perform at high levels it requires a solid understand­ing of how their bodies work and how to make them work well.

So far, Nechodom said he has been emphasizing a lot of self-care, like eating well and massaging muscles to keep them limber.

"I'm proud of them (for following advice)," Necho­dom said. "I see them in my algebra class massaging their quads."

To help with Nechodom's transition into coaching high school track and field, he has been picking up advice from Waitsburg coach Jeff Bartlow.

Bartlow has served as a mentor, Nechodom said, and has been happy to share his understanding and advice about coaching track and field. Nechodom said a large portion of mastering coach­ing at this level is managing scheduling.

Nechodom said the team has a lot of potential; with several students developing talent while others have tal­ent right on the surface. But, because they are so green, Nechodom said he couldn't make predictions about the team's season.

This season, the track and field team will have students at every event except the high jump and the pole vault. Nechodom said he didn't know if any students would change their minds and try to learn the high jump. The district still doesn't have the equipment for the pole vault event, so Dayton's athletes will not participate in the event.

In looking forward, Nechodom said the athletes are the most important part of the sport, regardless of how they perform.

"I coach kids, not track," Nechodom said.

And he hopes to train the students to take care of themselves and continue as athletes for the rest of their lives. That alone is a win for students.