We met Immanuel Schools at Woodward Park in Fresno for a Saturday long run. Woodward Park is the course for the California State Meet in November. Immanuel Schools is a private Mennonite religious school located in Reedley, California which is about forty minutes south of Fresno. Immanuel Schools competes in California's division V and has been one of the competitive teams at that level. The team returned from a team camp in the central coast of California the day before. Coach Connor Nolen explained the Immanuel Schools program:
During the summer season, how often does the team practice?
During the summer the team meets four days a week. Practices during the summer have been Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. We traditionally meet at the school or sports complex on M, W, F and Woodward Park on Saturdays for our long runs and to get time on the hills. On the off days (Tuesday and Thursday) the kids will run on their own or meet up with one another.
What are some special summer activities?
Our main summer activity has been the team retreat we do at Cayucos Beach for four days. The kids really look forward to that each year and we spend a lot of time bonding, setting goals for the season and enjoying some scenic runs together. The kids form a lot of fond memories together at our cross country camp and for many it's for sure the highlight of their summer. Also, after practices during the summer, the kids will often spend time hanging out at Starbucks or other local coffee shops as well as jump in the river that is next to where we meet for practice regularly at the Immanuel Sports Complex.
How do you build team culture?
We build team culture in many ways. First, I think it is important to have a clear vision and set of goals that you are trying to accomplish as a team. We practice visualizing and stating what the path to success looks like for each athlete and the team and then we do our best to uphold ourselves to that standard everyday. As our team has improved quickly over the past couple years our kids have grown in what they believe is possible and our goals have definitely gotten bigger each season!
Next, I think it is important that each member of our team knows how they are contributing to the team’s success and the role they play. We have a small team of only 15 members this year which makes that task much easier for us because every member of the team at some point this season will directly contribute to our varsity team. Every runner on our team knows that they matter and they belong in the race when they step on the starting line. We also find it important to have consistent and healthy communication between the athletes and coaches. I think we do a good job of giving feedback in a positive and constructive way as well as model and communicate expectations. I truly believe that our runners trust and believe in what they are doing which has made a huge positive impact on their successes thus far. I think it’s been very important to us to create a positive environment at practice where our runners can thrive in their training and enjoy what they are doing. We do our best to encourage one another in the tough moments and make sure to celebrate those who are doing well!
We also like to throw on music every so often during workouts to make it fun! Lastly, what I believe makes our program so special is our focus on running for our Creator. We are not an outcome focused program. Chasing championships and podium finishes is great, but ultimately we are focused on being faithful with the gifts that God has blessed us with. Our runners pray for one another before and after practices and races, they lead devotionals with one another and when we go through the unavoidable hardships that everyone faces in our sport, we look towards Christ to help us through!
What are some events that the team is looking forward to in the fall season?
We are looking forward to competing at the Woodbridge Invitational as well as the Clovis Invitational this fall. We are also excited to bring a competitive team back to the state meet this season and place as high as we can! Go Eagles!
Click HERE for photos from the run at Woodward Park
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