Former Park track and field standout Dylan Smallidge takes over this season as head coach of the boys' track and field team.
Formerly a coach at Waseca and Park’s sprint coach a year ago, Smallidge still ranks fourth on the all-time Park record list in the triple jump with a mark of 44-6 set during the 2012 season.
What he won’t have on board this season are fellow star jumpers OT Omot and David Ola-Kazeem, both of whom are also in the all-time Park record book and both of whom competed at state last season. Omot ranks second all-time in the school high jump at 6-6 and second in the triple jump (47-0.25), He finished second in the state in the triple jump and fourth in the high jump last season. Ola-Kazeem ranks sixth all time in the triple jump (43-10.75) and third in the long jump (22-0.25).
What Smallidge will have is a large number of strong returners and a host of talented newcomers to work with this season. Headlining the list of Park veterans are senior captain and thrower Taran Blasy, cross country aces Gavin Stauffer and Eli Firchau, senior captain and sprinter/jumper Skylar Morgan, senior captain and distance runner Jack Weir and senior sprinter Kaeden Callais.
“There’s a bunch of juniors that also competed last year, that we’re excited for and who are excited to compete,” said Smallidge, mentioning triple jumpers Eyuel Miftah and Bryan Wright are two of the early leaders. Middle distance junior Dominic Jenkins and sprinter/hurdler Noah Tewelde are two others to watch.
Asked what he takes into his first season as Park head track coach, Smallidge said, “The willingness to learn. I know so many other coaches have a lot more experience than me and I have a lot to learn from them. And every day has its challenges but ultimately, I see it as an opportunity, an opportunity to grow myself as a professional, as a coach, as well as an opportunity to help student athletes grow.”
Asked what would make for a successful season, Smallidge said, “A successful season as far as performance would be consistently improving and achieving your goals or doing the right things to attain your goals. Finishing the season better than you started, maintaining your academics and being a student/athlete.”
Park is scheduled to open the season Thursday, April 11, in a meet featuring all 10 Suburban East Conference teams at White Bear Lake.
