Former
Mount Mercy athletes make great coaching duo
by Erika Brighi
Mount Mercy Times Sports Editor
Posted
4/22/08 12:49 PM
Mount Mercy alums Steph Francois (left)
and Ryan Scheckel. |
CEDAR RAPIDS,
Iowa -- Mount
Mercy’s current track and field program lies in the hands
of two alumni with track records of their own.
Ryan Scheckel,
head coach of cross country and track and field, and Steph Francois,
assistant coach of track and field, each ended their Mustang careers
with six records. Both are very positive when it comes to current
athletes breaking their records. "It should happen,"
said Scheckel. "If it's not, I’m not doing my job."
Freshman Justin
Waring broke Scheckel’s record in the 1,000 meter run, while
sophomore Alyssa Maher broke four of Francois' records. "At
first I was worried she (Maher) was going to break it the first
time she ran it (55 meter hurdles)," said Francois. "I
was happy to play a part in that."
Scheckel,
a 2001 graduate, has been the head coach of track and field and
cross country for the past seven years. Coaching was something
Scheckel always wanted to get into. "It’s an honor
to coach for a school you represented," he said.
After graduating
in 2002, Francois volunteered with sprinters and hurdlers. When
the assistant coach position opened, she filled it. Francois has
now held the position for three years. Her senior year was Scheckel’s
first year as head coach.
Francois says
it's a benefit to have been a teammate with Scheckel. "We
have a similar philosophy," she said. "We picked that
up from Chris Perkins, our previous coach; she laid foundation
for us."
Scheckel and
Francois' experience as Mount Mercy athletes and students has
helped them understand their athletes over the years. "It
helps me relate to the kids, both with competing and social problems,"
said Scheckel.
Waring, who
does most of his training with Scheckel, says that out of all
coaches he has had Scheckel might be the best, "Because he
was an athlete here it's made him a better coach."
Francois agrees
that being a Mount Mercy alumni has helped her understand what
her athletes are going through. "It also helps when talking
to incoming freshmen about what to expect from school and athletics,"
she said.
Scheckel and
Francois are both certified Level II U.S. Track and Field Coaches.
This has allowed them to get involved with coaching education
and has enabled them to learn what other coaches are trying.
As for adding
a current Mustang to the coaching staff, it’s always a possibility.
Scheckel hopes his athletes stay involved, whether that means
coming to the meets or helping out during practices.
