Pre-Season XC Q&A: Doug Soles
MileSplit: It is almost unrealistic for someone to even attempt to argue what program has the best returning group. Great Oak placed 2nd at NXN and returns the top six girls from that team in Portland. With that being said, how much more can Skyler Bollinger bring to this already tremendous program?
Doug Soles: We definitely bring back a strong girls group this year, by far the strongest ever for us. Our program culture has always valued hard workers and Skyler showed she is more than willing to work hard and do what it takes to be a part of our program as a valuable member. I immediately noticed how tough she was, so I am excited to see how she progresses as the training catches up. With such a loaded group I think it will be up to all the girls to decide what their value will be this season, and Skyler will be a big part of that process. I think she will definitely help us a lot in track & field.
Where do you see Bollinger fitting into the team? Is she a top 7, top 5 girl?
Right now she is battling for a top 7 spot, but they all are except for maybe Destiny. We averaged 17:48 at our first 5k road race of the season without our top returning 3 girls from last year choosing to race it. The competition will be fierce for a top 7 spot. The beauty will be that they all will be able to rest out a lot of meets so the younger athletes will get some varsity reps and they can focus on being ready for the post season. I believe Skyler has a very good chance at being on our top 7 team come state and NXN.
How did the situation unfold in Bollinger transferring to Great Oak?
Dad told me that they were phasing his old position at his job out and he was promoted to a new spot in San Diego. We are a commuter suburb of San Diego for workers and have a lot of kids who have parents that work in San Diego or Orange County. Our houses are a little cheaper and Great Oak is the #1 academic school in the area. She moved out here in July and the girls welcomed her to the team.
Some transfers are unable to perform for their new school for a variety of reasons. From a coaching standpoint, did you run into any issues regarding Bollinger's eligibility to compete for Great Oak?
Skyler moved residents and should not have any restrictions on her participation. They didn’t move for athletics, they moved for a job change. She should be good to go.
How has a runner like Bollinger been received by the team where so many girls are fighting for a varsity spot?
I think the girls were definitely a little worried at first when they heard she had moved here and has such fast PR’s, but after meeting her and realizing that she is just as fun and goofy as we are, they took to her immediately. She has a fun sarcastic wit, so I enjoy coaching her. She is best buds with our senior girls.
I know why I grind each day, do you? pic.twitter.com/V0p31abyIY
-- Doug Soles (@DougSoles) August 10, 2015With that being said, how do you manage your team in such a way to facilitate a team mentality and not a selfish mentality of just wanting a spot on the coveted varsity squad?
Our team motto has always been team over individual, so most kids get that concept very quickly. Our goal is to have all athletes ready and select the ones that project to help the team the most. Our #7 girl last year at state finished in the top 25. I have no doubt our #8 and #9 girls could have as well. Makes it tough to choose the final athlete. We spend a lot of time talking about how to deal with not being selected for this team or that team. This group is very close time wise from the 6th girl to the 10th so it won’t be an easy situation picking one girl over another. At the end of the day I try to pick the girl that has the best chance to help the team and has shown that. Last year it was one girl by a whisker over another one. I wish we could run a B team at State…I have to say our athletes and parents last year were awesome and supportive and I believe they will be again this year.
Great Oak likes to have fun. From a social standpoint, how has Bollinger fit in to a bubbly group of girls. Was she able to attend the pre-season camp with the team? If so, how was the team dynamic with a new girl who is not a freshman?
Skyler fits in really well and I feel like I’m coaching one of the crew. She is very serious about running, but enjoys it and has fun with those around her. She did make it up to camp with us and had a great time bonding with the girls. We have 3+ really good frosh this year, but our girls have known about them for years. I think Skyler was definitely a surprise for us, but a nice one who fits in well.
What has or what do you anticipate the transition to be like for a former state star and team state champ to now be one of many greats on a standout program?
She came to us from a very good successful program and they definitely had her ready to work hard so physically the transition has gone well. I think the tougher part is coming into a program with girls that are all at your level and realizing you aren’t the top dog anymore. Truthfully I think it takes the pressure off of her and allows her to just focus on getting better and ready for college. I think there will be some college coaches emailing me once they see how good she is and what she can do out here.
A lot of West coast schools don’t know who she is yet, but they will. She has embraced the challenge with a smile and I look forward to watching her race in a GO uniform.
