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| North 's three
frosh hurdlers - Christy, Meghan and Amanda. Christy qualified for states
placing 2nd at 7.7. |
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| Some of NA's
throwers |
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| The trick
to succeed at hurdles is to identify those areas that increase time in the
air, and to find ways to eliminate them. In this case, most of the athletes
are too high over the hurdles. Until their center of gravity is low enough
for their lead leg to touch the ground, their body is slowing down.The key
is to NOT raise the center of gravity (jump up) at each hurdle. As long
as the hips are higher than the hurdles, proper technique will eliminate
the need to elevate to clear the barrier. |
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| If an athlete
is leaning backward entering the hurdle phase, they are slowing their momentum.
After clearing the hurdle, it will take time for them to re-attain peak
speed. Top hurdlers maintain top speed entering the hurdle phase. Faith
in their hurdling form eliminates the need to slow down |
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| 50 Dash. The
head should be in a neutral position (neck in line with spine). If the athlete
attempts to look up too soon the result is tightening in the shoulders,
which impedes the smooth movement of the arms. |
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| Ready to cheer
on their teammates |
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| The thumbs
control the elbows. If the thumbs are pointed up - the embows will be close
to the body. If the thumbs point toward the center of the body, the elbows
will flare out. Once that happens the arms will cause twisting of the body,
exerting forces in a counter productive direction. |
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| Foxboro continues
to produce quality sprinters (I call it the Thomas Effect). KP boasts three
runners in this semi-final heat. |
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| This runner
appears to have more than the usual arms and legs. But is it an advantage? |
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| A large crowd
formed to watch a great hurdle final. |
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| Awaiting the
results. |
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| The start
of the 50 yd finals. |
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| The seeded
heat of the 600M. |
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| Another 600M
heat. |
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| Runners focus
on the corner.Although it is partially blocked, it appears that the KP runner's
toe may be touching the line. That is not an infraction! Only if a runner
has three or more consecutive steps inside the line OR if by stepping inside
the line gains an unfair advantage, will the runner be disqualified. |
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| Notice that
a fan in the lower right is signaling her approval. |
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| "Who
in this group is fast?" asked Kevin Uniake. Modesty made them all slow
to respond. |
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| Now they're
ready to rock. |
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| L. Booth takes
in the action. |
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| Vandy carries
the baton. |
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| The seeeded
heat of the 4X4 goes off. |
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| North leads
at the final exchange - Nick to Christian. |
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| North's frosh/soph
contingent. |
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| The 4X4 "A"
Team |
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| The 4X4 "B"
team was entirely made up of runners attempting it for the first time. The
willingness to "step outside their comfort level" is an important
ingredient to success. |