Track season is underway, and there is a brand new coaching staff that second-year head Coach Owen Jarrette is hoping will reset the culture of Greendale track.
“We are all on the same team, the same page, and want everyone on the team to have an amazing season,” Jarrette said. “The coaching staff is younger, more cooperative, and eager to learn. My goal is to build a team culture where everyone buys in and has a champion mindset.”
Coach Jarrette recruited most of the coaches out of Muskego and is happy with the results. Justin Kotarak will be the new sprinting coach, and he was a sprinter at Muskego when Jarrette coached there.
“He was a state champion and an all-American. When I reached out to him, he was interested but had to figure out his work schedule to make it happen.” Jarrette said.
The new throwing coach is Brandon Russa, who is also from Muskego. “I emailed and/or messaged every thrower I knew from Muskego that I thought would be a great coach. He showed an interest. We had to figure out schedule stuff, but he agreed to come on board,” Jarrette said.
Greendale also had to add a new jumping coach and a distance coach. Sarah Leitinger, who teaches 6th grade at GHS, is the new high jump coach.
“I saw that she competed at UWW as a high jumper, and I reached out to her. She showed interest and had coached previously, so we kept talking until we made it official.” Jarrette said. “Paul Gutmann is an amazing distance runner who loves running but is new to coaching. He is looking to share his love of running with the team.”
The athletes are excited to work with the new coaches.
“I like the new coaches since now we have coaches for almost every event. Now we’re going to get more specialized training for our events, and I’m excited to build bonds with the new coaches, more than the new sprinting coach,” junior Jonathan Lopez said.
Runners are looking forward to working with the new coaches.
“I believe Coach Gutmann is a great addition to the coaching squad because of his knowledge and experience of running for more than 20 years. Not to mention the motivation and positivity he’s brought to the team in the short amount of time he has been a coach at Greendale,” junior Sebastian Langenfeld said.
The sprinters are also excited about their new coach.
“Coach Kotarak really wants to improve each kid. On the first day, when he and I talked, he already gave me pointers on things I can improve on, so I’m looking forward to what he can do during a whole season,” junior Sean Libal said.
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