Roadie: 2014 Bomber Invitational

Inside the beautiful Grazer Arena on the campus of Ithaca College. (2/15/14)

The first weekend of Presidents Week Recess included another roadie to Ithaca, New York, this time to to watch the Oneonta Red Dragons compete in the Bomber Invitational hosted by (and at) Ithaca College. Fortunately, the brief respite in wintry weather made travel conditions during the 1 hour and 40 minute drive southeast of Rochester very conducive to a solo road trip.

Warming-up prior to the Men's 1 mile race. (2/15/14)

My son was registered for three races (1 mile, 800m and 4 x 400m relay). If you thought high school track and field meets had a tendency to go long for the student-athletes, "you ain't seen nothin' yet." The team's bus left campus for their 90+ minute drive earlier Saturday and would not be returning until well into the late evening Saturday nigth. I managed to stay for Jack's first two races, but another engagement caused me to miss the relay.

For some reason it seems like he always draws "Lucky 13". (2/25/14)

Oneonta Head Coach Angelo Posillico coaches up one
of his student-athletes. (2/15/14)

Oneonta runners take off in the first lap of heat 1 of the Men's 1 mile. (2/15/14)

Jack and his teammate begin on the outside line of a double waterfall
start in heat 2 of the Men's 1 mile. (2/15/14)

Boxed in on lap 2. (2/15/14)

Spectating at a track meet reveals one of the great aspects of competitive track and field: win or lose your heat, there are always opportunities to improve upon your previous performance by working on racing and running skills (two very different things). Jack's performance this week was much more confident, if not as fast, as the previous week's effort at the same distance.

Oneonta's Men's 4 x 200m relay leg jockeys for position on the turn. (2/15/14)

Oneonta's Women's 4 x 200m relay takes flight. (2/15/14)

Women's 500m dash, lap 1, turn 1 in lanes. (2/15/14)

More Red Dragons working through the 500m dash. (2/15/14)

Having coached locally, going to invites carries some addtional value beyond watching my son and his teammates develop. In addition to making the trip to watch the Red Dragon (and my son) compete, I was also able to catch-up with some of my former student-athletes who are also representing their respective schools as members of the track and field teams. Many teams local to my community (University of Rochester, SUNY Brockport, St. John Fisher) had alsomade the trek to Ithaca for the invite.

UR frosh student-athlete Gabby Hernandez is a 2013 graduate
of the high school I teach and coach at. (2/14/14)

SUNY Brockport sophomore pole vaulter Devin Hoffer
was our school's outdoor MVP in Spring 2012. (2/15/14)

UR sophomore Mintesinot Kassu was a member of the X-C, indoor and outdoor teams
at our school, as well as being an exemplary student. (2/15/14)

The pre-race holding area prior to the Men's 800m run. (2/15/14)

Lap 2 of heat 1 of Men's 800m run. (2/15/14)

Another double waterfall, this one chock-full of Red Dragons... (2/15/14)

Jack holding onto the inside advantage as the competition
makes a move off his right shoulder during the final lap. (2/15/14)

Oneonta looking strong in the lead.(2/15/14)

Solid, confident form: eyes forward, head up, shoulders squared. (2/15/14)

Following through on a strong final lap. (2/15/14)

All-in-all another good day on the track and in the pits for both the Oneonta Men's and Women's teams. This season certainly is moving by quickly and I'm glad to have the time this season to get to as many meets as possible, especially with Outdoor Track and Field season, during which I will be getting back to coaching, starting in only three weeks.