The track coaching family that strives for greatness

By Kylie Thompson, Track Team Member 

Track and field is a unique sport that showcases multiple skill sets. Most high schools employ one head coach who is given the responsibility of managing multiple events, while some schools are fortunate to also have an assistant who could possibly specialize in several areas. 

But here at Boyle County, we not only have a fantastic head coach in Brent Wagner for our track program, we also have six amazing assistant coaches who are each specialized in an area of track and field. Without a doubt, they have made a tremendous impact on our program. 

During Wagner’s six year tenure, he has continued to recruit assistant coaches who are knowledgeable in specific areas of track and field. Krista Rinehart, Seth Tamme, Damian Laymon, Billy Moore, Donna Anderson, and Chrys Jones make up this special team of assistant coaches that work and push their athletes to reach their potential. 

As the most experienced assistant coach, Rinehart, a Boyle record holder and Centre track graduate, works with all of our hurdlers as well as with the sprint relays on their exchanges. She is a vital part of the program’s success in the both hurdle and sprint events as she has trained multiple state champions.

She loves all aspects of coaching track, but it is “the opportunity to forge more personal relationships between the athletes and the coaches that makes coaching here so special. I’m emotionally invested in every kid’s success or failures, on and off the track.”

In addition, former Boyle sprinter Tamme focuses on improving running technique for all athletes but specializes his work with the sprinters. Several of these athletes have won regional championships in his five years of work. 

“What makes Boyle track and field so special is the kids buying into the program that Brent has developed. They are dedicated to doing it… doing what’s best for each other,”

Tamme explains. 

Pole vaulters in our program also have a specialty coach in Laymon. Training athletes for one of the most technique specific events, he has successfully learned over the past few years how to effectively teach the necessary skill sets for vaulting.

“Every staff member out here, all they want to do is push the athletes a little bit further, make them a little bit stronger, help them to persevere a little bit more. It’s really amazing to see a strong program being built around these coaches,” shares Laymon. 

Even our throwers have an experienced state-qualifier coach to call their own. Moore works with the discus and shot put athletes, even training them in the school hallways when weather makes it necessary. 

Moore understands that success stems from everyone’s contributions. “It’s everything involved with the program. It’s the kids and the coaches. The parents and volunteers. The school system and community. It’s the whole track family.” 

He also touched on his previous coaching experiences saying, “I’ve coached at two other schools before Boyle and neither of them had the drive, determination, nor pride that we have here. They have pride in their team and school and more importantly in themselves.”

Furthermore, our long distance runners also get special attention. Anderson, a former Ironman triathlon competitor and running enthusiast, prepares these athletes with detailed methods that have produced amazing results at both the regional and state level. 

Success in her words comes from “the combination of the passion from the kids and from the coaching staff. The athletes are willing to work hard and the coaches want to be here and want to coach.” 

And for our newest addition, four-time NCAA Division III Triple Jump Champion Jones brings valuable experience to the program. Jones recognizes “that there is a culture here. The kids come in and work hard… the coaching staff, we work together on everything.” 

He further explained that the coaches have been working together since last summer, which is when Coach Wagner recruited him as a coach. “We’ve planned this program and the system and we execute it well. I think what sets us apart from other schools is we communicate the plan with the athletes and then everyone buys in.”

Wagner himself loves the staff that he has assembled. He believes the most important quality of his coaching family as a whole is having each coach hold every athlete accountable. “Care and concern is shown for all athletes, but there is not any sugar coating when training to our standards and the way we want things ran.”

We feel as though we have a tremendous group of coaches who push us every day for not only team success, but personal success both on and off the track. Overwhelmingly, Laymon says it best when he describes the program being special due to “the shared desire among everybody to strive for greatness.”

Loran Crowell receives “Teacher of the Year” 

By: Adrien Van Steenlandt

At Boyle County Schools, there is an abundance of staff who go out of their way to make students not only better learners, but better people as well. One staff member who has been recognized this year for these contributions is Loran Crowell, recent winner of the high school’s Teacher of the Year Award. Her dedication towards her students as well as her positive attitude, day in and day out, is a strong indicator of why she was honored with the award this past week.

Crowell has been teaching at BCHS for five years after receiving her education from Centre College, earning a Bachelor’s in Mathematics. 

Utilizing her young age as an advantage while teaching, Crowell uses her youthful spirit to prevent a dull learning atmosphere, which all students enjoy. This attitude as well as her immense passion pushes her to go above and beyond for students. “I love it when students, particularly those who think they are bad at math or say they do not like math, have that ‘ah-ha’ moment and then begin to gain confidence.” 

Crowell also provides extra help for those struggling in her classes. “I offer tutoring in the mornings and afternoons, and I am in charge of ESS for all students.” 

Furthermore, Crowell also goes above and beyond to help students prepare for important exams throughout the year by giving practice tests for the ACT and Advanced Placement exams. Crowell understands students struggling with difficult content because she was in their shoes not long ago which adds to her passion. “I want to do anything I can. I always welcome questions and try to be as unintimidating as possible because I want students to feel comfortable approaching me when they do not understand.”

Upon receiving this award Crowell stated, “I feel very appreciative and honored. I think of the people that I work with and they are all phenomenal. We have the best of the best and they are a big reason why our school is so successful. They are experts in their subjects, they work extremely hard, and they make sacrifices for our students. So, to be chosen from such an incredible group is special. I could name several teachers who could have just as easily won this award.”

Boyle County is very grateful to have Crowell and many other teachers who are dedicated to help each individual experience success. Many students will be fortunate to have Crowell  guide them throughout their high school career for years to come.

2017 Prom

On Saturday, April 22, the 44th annual Boyle County High School prom was held at The Showroom in Danville. Four hundred students attended the “Remember the Magic” themed event where they crowned their 2017 Prom King and Queen, Private First Class Ben Retallick and Kourtney Lear.