Track & Field Archives - Coach and Athletic Director

Detroit track coaches save student-athlete who suffered cardiac arrest

Wesley Sykes — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 14:03:26 +0000

Two Detroit track coaches’ quick thinking helped save a student-athlete who was suffering a cardiac arrest.

On March 12, a 14-year-old student-athlete was warming up during a track practice at Allen Park High School when the event occurred. The two coaches administered CPR and called emergency responders to take her to a nearby hospital.

A recent story from WWNYTV.com detailed the coaches’ heroics and the response from the student-athlete’s family. Below is an excerpt from WWNYTV.com.

The 14-year-old later learned she went into sudden cardiac arrest.

“I was very grateful to be even awake, but it was also scary to know that happened to me,” she said.

It was a surreal moment, especially for the athlete, as she had never shown any signs of a heart problem previously.

“She does her sports physical every year for sports activities in high school and middle school. So, this was sprung upon us and we had no idea,” her mother, Kelly Dolan, said.

As she recovers, two Allen Park track coaches are being called heroes. After she had gone unresponsive at practice, they quickly performed CPR and used an AED.

“It got her heart rhythm back before emergency crews arrived. Those critical seconds changed my life, my daughter’s life, and it saved her life,” Dolan said.

» ALSO SEE: University of Louisiana-Monroe student approve new athletic fee

Being ready to respond during a medical emergency is something Allen Park High School’s Athletic Director James Victor says they take very seriously.

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Texas HS student-athlete died during altercation at track meet

Wesley Sykes — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 12:23:40 +0000

A Texas student-athlete is facing a murder charge for fatally stabbing a stand-out student-athlete from another school during a track meet earlier this week.

Austin Metcalf, 17, of Memorial High School in Frisco, Texas, was stabbed in the chest by Karmelo Anthony, 17, early in the morning at Kuykendall Stadium. Despite lifesaving efforts by local first responders, Metcalf died.

A recent article from NBCDFW.com detailed the events that led up to the stabbing and spoke with Metcalf’s father. Below is an excerpt from the NBCDWF.com story.

Jeff Metcalf spoke with NBC 5 on Tuesday afternoon and said his son, Austin Metcalf, was killed when another student armed with a knife got upset after being told he was sitting in the wrong spot.

Metcalf said his son didn’t know the student who attacked him and that Austin’s twin brother, Hunter, was nearby when the confrontation took place and not only saw his brother get stabbed but also tried to stop the bleeding.

Frisco police said they arrested and charged 17-year-old Karmelo Anthony with Metcalf’s murder. Police said Anthony’s bond has not yet been set and it’s unclear if he’s obtained an attorney to speak on his behalf.

“The Frisco Police Department grieves with all those affected by this devastating loss and extends its deepest condolences to the victim’s family, students, and staff who are experiencing unimaginable pain,” the department said Wednesday afternoon. “The department is collaborating with the Frisco Independent School District and will continue to provide any support they need during this incredibly difficult time.”

Police did not say where the stabbing took place at the stadium, but from Texas Sky Ranger, several police officers were seen investigating an area in the stands not far from the track.

Jeff Metcalf said his son had a 4.0, was MVP of the football team and had a bright future that included going to college.

“He was on the right track,” Jeff Metcalf said. “He was loved by many. He was a leader.”

“I’m not trying to judge, but what kind of parents did this child have? What was he taught? He brought a knife to a track meet, and he murdered my son by stabbing him in the heart. The guy was in the wrong place, and they asked him to move and he bowed up. This is murder,” Jeff Metcalf said. “You know what, I already forgive this person. Already. God takes care of things. God is going to take care of me. God is going to take care of my family.”

» ALSO SEE: WPIAL hits Pennsylvania high school with penalties for rules violations

A spokesperson for the Frisco ISD said the 11-5A championship district track meet, which included more than 100 students from eight schools, took place at the stadium Wednesday morning. The district said that moments after the stabbing, the stadium was immediately secured, the meet was suspended, and all students were returned to their home campuses “with expediency.”

To read the full story from NBCDFW.com, click here.

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Best practices for track and court maintenance

Mary Helen Sprecher — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 14:32:44 +0000

The greatest juggling act schools are doing right now is trying to prioritize the maintenance duties of each facility. Trying to keep those balls in the air is exhausting. Here’s a quick roadmap of how to navigate this season.

Track Maintenance: Best Practices
Sometimes, it’s the simple things that make all the difference with maintenance. According to Lee Narozanick of American Athletic Track & Turf, it’s what you don’t do that can help the most.

Photo Courtesy: American Sports Builders Association

“Keeping lawnmowers and weed whackers away from the edges of the track and the runways,” notes Narozanick. “Also, just keeping the track – and the field events – free of debris is a huge help.”

Because many tracks encircle athletic fields, maintenance personnel often mistakenly drive heavy equipment, such as mowers (for natural grass fields) or turf cleaners (for synthetic surfaces) over the track to access the fields.

“Don’t run vehicles on the track,” says Narozanick. “Cover the surface first.”

Many track installers advise placing mats and/or boards down and driving equipment slowly over this to get to and from the field. The more layers between tires and track, the better.

Another mistake is trying to place anything other than competition-specific equipment on the track. Starting blocks and hurdles, for example, are acceptable. Chairs, tables, benches, or anything else is not.

Walk around the track regularly and look for areas of wear, including places where markings may look faint, where surfacing may be damaged or loose, or even areas where the track appears to rise or fall. Problems don’t get better with time, so if minor repairs aren’t working, it’s time to get expert help.

“Owners and managers should always call the professionals,” says Narozanick. “Remember that you absolutely need to use an experienced contractor or other professional when repairing a running track as many tolerances must be kept in order to have the track able to host the required level of competition.”

ASBA offers two publications, Running Tracks: Construction and Maintenance Manual, and Sports Fields: Construction & Maintenance Manual, which provide a great deal of information presented in a user-friendly fashion.

Photo Courtesy: American Sports Builders Association

Court Maintenance: Best Practices
Those with outdoor courts – tennis, basketball, or pickleball – already know that staying on top of maintenance means staying just a few steps ahead of the curve.

“Owners should be doing visual inspections of all courts throughout the year,” says Donald Pierson of Courts Unlimited LLC. “At the beginning of spring and at the end of the season, the court should be looked over thoroughly. In a perfect world, it should be inspected yearly but realistically, a professional should be coming by every two to three years or at the first sight of any surface issues.”

Of course, notes Brackett Vaughan of Tennis Courts, Inc., nobody is going to know about those surface issues unless a regular inspection is conducted.

“Coaches should take notice on a daily basis when in use. I would suggest checking periodically during the warmer months. Once the weather warms and stabilizes, I would do a court inspection for cracks or failures in previous repairs. It’s when the weather temperature changes a large amount in a short period of time that courts seem to be stressed the most.”

Keep courts free of debris, including leaves, twigs, and so forth, since this can stain the surface if left long enough.

“If courts are close to trees and have a black-looking moldy surface, we recommend having the courts soft-washed by a professional,” says Vaughan. “This cleans the court without pressure that could damage the playing surface.”

If used regularly, a broom or a leaf blower may be sufficient to keep debris from collecting. If there are stains, or if debris does not seem to be moving, call the court contractor for advice, since some surfaces may be damaged by treatments that are too vigorous.

“Please don’t try to power-wash the courts yourself,” adds Pierson.

Another way to cut down marks on the surface of a basketball, pickleball, or tennis court is to post signage noting that only court shoes with non-marking soles may be worn. However, the ability to reinforce this will be dependent upon the amount of supervision courts receive.

If you spot cracks in your court, the best course of action is to take photos of them and send them to your court contractor. Trying to paint over or fill in cracks with a DIY method can do far more harm than good.

“I have seen many owners try to fill/seal cracks, resurface, and paint their courts,” says Pierson. “Trust me, it never turns out well and it becomes a much more expensive fix. When someone has to fix a DIY job, it can be far more expensive.”

Something else to consider: To those without knowledge of asphalt and concrete, cracks look like, well, cracks. In reality, though, some can be minor while others can signify a serious underlying problem. In every case, it is better to engage someone with expertise early.

» ALSO SEE: Q&A.D. with MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl

Of course, nothing can beat regular court inspections, so in this case, make your students stewards of the court. Whether playing basketball, tennis, or pickleball (or really, any other sport on a hard surface), it’s the users who will see the court day in and day out, and who will notice problems, such as cracks, discoloration, uneven spots, etc. Post signage with contact information (a number to text or call, an e-mail, etc.) and encourage students to reach out if they see anything that concerns them.

ASBA offers three publications, Tennis Courts: Construction and Maintenance Manual, Courts & Recreational Surfaces: Construction and Maintenance Manual, and Pickleball Courts: Construction & Maintenance Manual, all of which provide a great deal of information presented in a user-friendly fashion.

Information on all publications is available through ASBA: sportsbuilders.org.

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Star MHSAA track & field athlete ruled ineligible for season

Wesley Sykes — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 14:22:32 +0000

A Mississippi high school track and field freshman has been ruled ineligible to compete this season, according to the Mississippi High School Athletic Association (MHSAA).

Tupelo High School freshman Andrew Brown is regarded as the fastest freshman in the country, running a mile in 4.18 minutes. Earlier this month, Brown competed in the New Balance Indoor Nationals in Boston. Tupelo’s athletic director then received an anonymous complaint regarding Brown’s participation in the event — sparking the ineligible ruling from the MHSAA.

A recent story from WTVA.com detailed the season-long suspension from the MHSAA. Below is an excerpt from the WTVA.com story.

The plane tickets, hotel, and entry fees were all paid for, so Jim said Andrew raced anyway.

“I don’t want to harm anyone by competing at this meet, or anything. I just want to enjoy what I do,” Andrew Brown said.

“There is no money exchanged whatsoever. It is just the top high school runners in the entire country competing at the highest level,” Jim Brown said.

Andrew’s dad said the MHSAA claimed Andrew broke the rule about competing with a team in an indoor competition once the outdoor season has started. The issue Jim has with that reasoning is Andrew raced in the Adidas competition last year and wasn’t penalized.

“To other runners, it’s not motivating at all. It really ruins some people’s dreams, goals, and future,” Andrew said.

Changing the rule would allow Mississippi to be represented at these top competitions according to Jim.

» ALSO SEE: PA school district proposes $20M upgrades to athletic facilities

“It helps put Tupelo on the map when runners excel at what they are doing. And, we want to make sure Mississippi is not 50th in everything,” Jim explained. “We have incredible talent in this state, but if we have a state association holding young runners back, and discouraging them like this, we will remain 50th.”

Jim Brown said multiple high schools, fans, and colleges have reached out to the family in support. They want the rule to change.

To read the full story from WTVA.com, click here.

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New York track team’s dress code petition garners 50,000 signatures

Wesley Sykes — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 16:03:36 +0000

About a year ago, a high school girls’ track team from Albany, New York, defied the school’s dress code violation by showing up in sports bras to practice.

It was a hot day with temperatures reportedly hitting more than 80 degrees. When the athletic director, Alice Chapple eventually reprimanded the team by kicking them out of practice, the track team felt they were being discriminated against. The boys’ teams were allowed to take their shirts off, but the girls weren’t.

Teammates on the girls’ track team, Kayla Huba and Jordan Johnson, started a Change.org petition to fight for a change to the school’s dress code policy. Now, a year later, the petition has garnered more than 50,000 signatures.

A recent story from EdWeek.org detailed the aftermath of the Albany High School track team’s actions.

Below is an excerpt from the EdWeek.org story.

“I don’t know her personal reasoning, but I feel like maybe it’s just society has kind of put it into everyone’s brains that women’s bodies are sexual, like we’re overly sexualized,” Huba, who was a senior at the time, said.

“But guys having their shirts off is not an issue.”

Chapple did not respond to requests for comment.

After being asked to leave the lacrosse game, one of Huba’s teammates, Jordan Johnson, started a Change.org petition to fight the dress code, which has garnered more than 50,000 signatures so far.

“I started it so we could see change, or at least make a big stink about it,” Jordan, now 16, said.

“And it’s at least going to shed some light on it and you know, open people’s eyes.”

» ALSO SEE: Ferris State Coach Suspended for Violating Tobacco Policy

Students of color, girls, and LGBTQ+ students are disciplined disproportionately for dress code violations, according to a U.S. G overnment A ccountability Office report from 2022, which called on the Department of Education to address dress code disparities. Dress codes are also gendered, the report found, making it difficult for nonbinary, gender nonconforming, or transgender students to adhere to them.

Additionally, 90 percent of dress codes prohibit clothing typically associated with girls, focusing on the modesty or appropriateness of their clothing, whereas 69 percent prohibit items typically associated with boys, according to the report.

To read the full story from EDWeek.org, click here.

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