Picture by Gwen Crawford from Portland.
Barry Haworth is the Head Cross Country and Track Coach at Assumption High School in Louisville, Kentucky. They have won three consecutive Class AAA State Championships. Last weekend they won the Nike Cross Nationals Southeast Regional to qualify for the Nike Cross Nationals for the 2nd year in a row. Coach Haworth answers questions below:
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17:44.80 |
2012-11-24 |
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17:47.14 |
2012-09-14 |
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18:15.10 |
2012-09-28 |
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18:28.20 |
2012-09-28 |
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18:38.40 |
2012-11-24 |
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19:27.40 |
2012-09-28 |
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19:37.20 |
2012-11-24 |
KY: What were your immediate thoughts after winning both the Championship and Open Races at NXN Southeast?
BH: I was happy for the girls. We don't go into races with the goal of winning so much as we hope to accomplish certain things within each race. Although neither race was one of our better races as a team, as we had some girls struggle in both races, both groups did a great job of holding together and that's all I can ask.
In all honesty, the fact that we won those two races didn't strike me to the same degree as learning that both St X and us won both. We take a lot of pride in being a representative of our State and town, so to have both Louisville/KY teams winning, as well as watching the Bowling Green girls go top 10, that was really a highlight for the girls and I.
KY: Being that this is your 2nd time running at Nike Cross Nationals, what did you learn the first time that will help this year?
BH: We definitely learned what to expect with the whole process, so we won't feel nearly as starry-eyed as last year. We'll enjoy it this year but the process shouldnt be so overwhelming.
Racewise, we should have a much better sense for how the race will flow. It got pretty dense in places, and it was easy to feel pushed out. I think, or at least hope that our experience will help us deal with that this year.
KY: Your sixth and seventh runner have not run in this race. So what have you talked to them about to prepare them for the experience?
BH: We haven't said much to them that's any different than what we tell the rest. We're trying not to talk too much about the experience in advance so that they can enjoy it, but racing wise we're discussing what we observed from last year.
KY: What are your expectations for this Saturday?
BH: I'm hoping to see our girls go after the race as we've done all year. This one will be pretty tough, so I'm also hoping for a little more mental toughness than usual because they'll probably need it. If we could come away with something in the top half of the field, I'd be happy, but this is a tough field and difficult course, and all we can control is our own effort - so as long as I get the effort I'm looking for, it'll be a solid day on Sat.
KY: What have you done differently in practice to prepare for the ruggedness of this course?
BH: We've been working a bit more on the dynamics of the start, but otherwise we haven't done too much that's any different - other than talk a bit more about how we want to perform, and that the girls are capable of achieving certain things if they believe in themselves. In the end, it'll take a lot of strength to get over that course and we train to that end anyhow. The key isn't so much in just working hard though, it's in believing you can accomplish what the work is preparing you to hopefully do.