In this episode, we break down how development shifts in the final two years of a collegiate career. The foundation is built. Now it’s about ownership, refinement, and leaving a mark.

Year 3 is where expectations rise and performance sharpens. Athletes begin driving their own process. We discuss handling pressure, refining race tactics, expanding threshold and speed with precision, and the difference between talent and competitive maturity. Leadership starts showing up in daily standards, not just words.

Year 4 is about mastery and legacy. What does it look like to compete with confidence and control? How do seniors stay hungry without burning out? How do conversations change when an athlete has fully grown into the program?

We also address common pitfalls in the final years, including pressing too hard and letting outcome pressure override the process.

If the first two years are about building the engine, the final two are about learning how to drive it. This episode focuses on finishing well, leading boldly, and preparing for life beyond college athletics.

One big PR doesn’t guarantee long-term success.

In this episode, we break down the “One Big PR Trap” and why chasing a single massive race can hurt development, durability, and recruiting stock.

Then we reveal what college coaches actually value: progression, toughness, coachability, emotional maturity, team fit, and long-term upside.

Times matter.

But they are not the whole story.

How do you turn an 18 year old recruit into a confident, capable, self driven adult over four years?

In this episode, we break down how we intentionally progress athletes through the first half of their collegiate career. Years 1 and 2 are not about chasing quick breakthroughs. They are about identity, habits, capacity, and culture.

We talk about what we see in freshmen that they often cannot see yet. Not just the times they can run, but who they can become if they truly buy in. Long term development means looking beyond performance marks to leadership, confidence, sovereignty, and the doors that open after graduation. Grad school. Professional school. Meaningful work. A strong sense of self.

We discuss why coaching season to season is dangerous and why staying true to a four year plan matters. There are shortcuts in development, but they often come with a cost. The long view wins. At the same time, when big waves come, you ride them. And when it is time to step back and rebuild, you do that too.

In Year 1, the focus is simple but not easy: adapt, adjust, learn. Freshmen must get stronger physically, mentally, aerobically, and in mobility. They transition from high school standout to college teammate. In college, 4:20 is not fast. 5:20 is not fast. What matters is building habits. Do the mundane. Establish a routine. Have honest conversations. Learn the culture without being overwhelmed. Camp. Leadership opportunities. Daily standards.

Year 2 is about capacity and consistency. We talk about how we determine readiness for more training by watching strength, form, and willingness. We intentionally expand threshold, speed, and strength while continuing aerobic progression. This is often the year where patience is tested. Progress may be steady, not flashy. Individual meetings matter. Communication matters. Autonomy begins. Athletes learn to ask questions and take ownership of their process.

We also reflect on the biggest mistakes in the first two years. Too much too soon. Workouts that are too hard. Racing below standard because ego outpaced readiness. More is not always better.

If you are an athlete, coach, or parent who cares about sustainable growth, this episode lays out the blueprint. Be patient. Be honest. Ask questions. Be part of the process.

Next episode, we shift to Years 3 and 4, where development turns into ownership, performance sharpens, and legacy begins.

Open

Have you ever looked at someone’s PR and thought you knew everything about them?

Segment 1: How Coaches Actually Read Performances

When reviewing a recruit’s results, what stands out first?

Traits revealed in context: racing courage, instincts, decision-making, toughness.

Relay splits and conversions — how much weight do they carry?

Evaluating athletes from small leagues vs major conferences.

How cross country performance impacts track recruiting.

Segment 2: Context Is Everything

Championship PR vs Big invite meet PR/Winning slow vs running fast and placing lower.

Do tactical races matter?

Does doubling at conference matter?

Year-round competition — positive or concerning?

Special guest today. Sam Sikorski. Sam is a multi time all oac performer, an all regional performer in xc. Holds 3 school records. And this past weekend he took down his own record from a year ago in the 800 meters at the Ashland Fifth Jud Logan Light Giver Open Talk about your path a little to get to this point.

Talk about your training since coming back from winter break…

Take us into the moment.” Talk about the race… when you crossed the line and realized you’d just broken the school record, what went through your head before it fully sank in?

“What changed to make this possible?” Looking back at your training and mindset, what’s one thing you did differently this season that you think unlocked this performance? “The 800 is a special kind of pain.” Everyone knows the 800 meters hurts in a unique way. At what point in that race did it start to hurt, and how did you keep yourself committed when it did?

“Legacy and what’s next.” Now that your name sits next to that record, what does that mean to you as part of Baldwin Wallace track history, and how does it shape what you’re chasing next

Baldwin Wallace 2026 Indoor Track Season Recap — Podcast Edition Time Trial- rust buster, remember what its like to hurt like that. Nothing special, just got the effort in. did some 400s after, those went well. Alumni Meet- Brown team pulls off its first every win, or at least first win in a very long time. Took some decient steps forward, divided distance and mid distance with 1k and 3k events, also had everyone run the 4x4!! We had about 30 alumni come back, quite a few participated in the meet. Had a solid group come out for the social after. Always nice to see our alumni and for them to give back to the program. Next week we headed to the east side for a meet John Carroll. Once again took a small step forward, but still not quite where we wanted to be. The sprints, jumps, hurdles and throws crews had some really solid days. We broke several field house records, Jameire 60H, Rylee HJ, Kitar WT, Delaney SP, Aiden 60, Mason SP! Next week was the Dr. Taraschke Team Challenge hosted at home: • The men’s team took first place overall out of five competing teams, showing early strength across events. • The women’s team also dominated the Taraschke Challenge, finishing with 76 points, led by big performances in sprints and distance events. Tough to tell where we truly are against some of these teams, I know not everyone competes in all the meets, but we don’t load up either and we have beat some pretty good track teams so far, so we are excited about that. Took another good step forward this past weekend at Oberlin and Ashland — Lots of season bests, 2 school records, Lucy PV (3 women attempting bars at SR) and Sam in the 800 with 1:52! Puts him 27th in Nation Looking Ahead — Championships & Beyond All-Ohio Indoor Championships this weekend. Several teams not competing, but we should be able to get in there and mix it up Individual Stars Lighting Up the Season The Jackets weren’t just competing — they were making personal and school Records: Women’s Standouts • Jameire Honzu stamped her presence early with wins in the 60m hurdles ranked 28th Nationally. • Lucy McChesney is ranked 43rd nationally in the PV and set a SR last week • Kenae Moore turned in top sprint times including strong finishes in the 60m and 200m. • Rylee Gorrell and Macy Schubach soared in the high jump, producing personal bests and fieldhouse records at John Carroll. Men’s Standouts • Team is ranked No. 19 nationally, 4th in the region and 2nd in OAC. Event rankings #12 in HJ, #14 in Weight, #24 in SP, #28 LJ, #38 in 800. Kitar is ranked 2nd in the nation in the Weight, Kaedan ranked 8th in the nation in the LJ, Sam is ranked 22nd in the 800 Aiden 25th in 200 and Mason Kiesel is 49th in the shot

Opening

• What does “there is a place for everyone” mean in this program? Answer: d1, d2, d3, naia, juco

• What’s a common myth about who belongs on a college team?

Belonging

• Who thrives here beyond just top times or scores?
• How do different personalities and leadership styles strengthen the team?
• Example of an athlete who didn’t fit the traditional mold but became essential
• How do roles evolve on a team?
  • scorers
  • culture builders
  • quiet standard-raisers
• What does success look like for non-linear or developmental paths?
• How do you support athletes who don’t see themselves as “stars” but want to grow?

The Human Side

• What do athletes often discover about themselves here that they didn’t expect?

Closing

• To the recruit wondering “Do I belong?” — what would you say?
• Why should college athletics be about finding your place, not proving your worth?

A La cart talk from the 2026 Coach's Convention