Greetings! My name is Michael Grether (Coach Grether or Coach G to you runners ) and I will be the Track & Field coach. I am very excited to be afforded the opportunity to share my knowledge and passion of running with a new generation.

Who am I?

I am the 6th Grade Social Studies teacher for the Monarchs Team, having taught for three years at LRMS.  I am a passionate person who loves to work with people and build community. To read more about me, click here...

Track & Field Experience

I was involved in Track & Field for 6 years in Middle School and High School. I also ran Cross Country for 3 years.  I was a 3 year Varsity runner in both Cross Country and Track and Field. In Track, I ran the 400m, 800m, 4x800 Relay, Mile, 2 Mile, and the occasional High Jump. My personal best times are:

• 400m - :56
• 800m - 2:02
• Mile - 4:40
• 2 Mile - 10:02
• 5K (3.1 Miles) - 17:20
• High Jump - 5'7"

I also played football for two years and wrestled for six years... but, I found my greatest joy to be in running.

Coaching Experience

My previous coaching experience consists of coaching Middle School Cross Country for Centerville Middle School in Centerville, Ohio in 2006. I was Co-Head Coach of the team, which was a mix of both Male and Female runners. The boys team won the conference championship while the girls team took second place.

Last year I took over the LRMS Girls track team, leading them to an undefeated Conference Championship Season. We had excellent athletes in all phases of the sport, having girls break school records in the 400, 800, 1600, High Jump, and Long Jump. As an observer stated during practice: "You want to win each event, don't you?"

The answer: Yes, I do.

Coaching Philosophy

There are a couple things that I believe in as a coach:

• These are STUDENT -athletes. The child's personal well being and academics take precedent over anything that transpires on the track.
• I belive that Middle School Track should be the BEGINNING of a long, enjoyable athletic career, not the HIGHLIGHT/PEAK of an athletic career. I make all choices with the mind set of what is best for that athlete in the long term perspective of their careers, not in what is best for my team that season.
• My coaching motto is: "Improve Daily." If you take steps to improve every single day, even by just a small step, you will work your way to success.
• I look for three qualities in athletes: (1) Coachability. Can you take instruction and follow directions? (2) Cooperation. Can you get along with others, showing good sportsmanship in victory and defeat? Do you support your team mates? (3) Competitive. Yes, we are out here for the love of the game and to improve yourself... but you have got to want to win. There has got to be a fire in your belly that makes you want to push a little bit hard, give that little bit extra to be the best you can be... to edge out that person next to you.
• I preach three things in practice:  Conditioning, Mental Discipline/Toughness, and Fundamentals. An athlete needs to be in "excellent shape" (i.e. endurance, core muscle strength, etc) and needs to be able to do the basic things well.  If that is running, having proper posture in the blocks, the way you hold your arms, waiting for the gun, etc.... If it is jumping, taking the appropriate steps and appropriate body positioning.The basics... the Basics... the Basics...

I believe that if we can focus on these things as a team,  we will have a year that we are proud of by the time the season is over.

Closing

I love coaching. I get joy from working with the students and watching them grow in a sport that I enjoy immensely. I look forward to this being an excellent track season... All that is left to say is...

LET'S GO PRIDE!