Kids coached by masters excel at California State HS champs
Richard Holmes, the M40 hurdler profiled here last month, saw his prep prodigy Kori Carter win two state titles yesterday at the California State High School Championships in Clovis, in central part of the state. Kori, still only a junior, won the 100 hurdles in 13.59 and the 300 hurdles in 41.26. Nice coaching, Richard! In addition, Sunny Margerum, daughter of W45 world champion Joy Upshaw-Margerum, took 23rd Friday in the girls long jump prelims. She’s also a junior (at Gunn High School), and should return to the state meet next year. Finally, Harrison Steed, yet another junior, took third in the high jump, going 6-9. Harrison is coached by M40 star Ron Lee at JSerra Catholic High School in Orange County.
The Fresno Bee added details to how Richard came to coach Kori at Claremont High School:
Former Fresno State track and field standout Richard Holmes remembers telling his wife how he would love the opportunity to coach hurdler Kori Carter after watching video of the then-freshman from Claremont.
Two years later, Holmes is the “hired gun” coach of Carter, who became a double state champion Saturday evening.
Carter, a junior, won the girls 100 hurdles in 13.59 and the 300 hurdles — for the second straight year — in 41.26.
“I’m so proud of her,” said Holmes, who was Fresno State’s 1990 team captain and a conference champion in the high hurdles.
Holmes said he came to work with Carter through a “stroke of luck.”
Carter’s father, Bruce, read a story about Holmes winning the hurdles at the U.S. Masters track and field meet earlier this year. Bruce Carter put in a call to Barcelona Olympics silver medalist and former USC teammate Tony Campbell, who also happens to have coached Holmes.
After a glowing recommendation from Campbell, Bruce Carter asked Holmes if he would coach his daughter.
“Are you kidding me?” Holmes said of his response.
“I demand a lot of kids who work with me. Some can’t handle it after a few weeks,” said Holmes, who works for a plastics company in Southern California. “But Kori, she’s a different kind of kid. She works. She listens and can translate what I tell her.”
Holmes still has the fifth best mark all-time in the 110 hurdles at Fresno State. He’s so proud of his time at Fresno State that Holmes has a Bulldog tattooed on his left shoulder.
Anyone else have a son or daughter in their own state meet? Or coach a kid who did well at state?
11 Responses
Congrats,to coach holmes and kori, you are the best and really are a olympic hopeful for london and olympic games,with coach holmes and his training priciples you must vision running the 12.90 race because it is well within your reach so reach for the stars and may god bless you,and continued success richard im so impressed by kori and her hurdle ablity and its only going to get better,now lets win nationals . ps vision the 12.9 race you can and you will,ps im real proud of both of you ,richard take her to 12.9 and 39.0 i want to i can. dave ashford your hurdle brother .ps very impressive but there is more in you to go faster go faster go faster.
I know that you are feeling really good and want to Congratulate you as a Coach. There is no other feeling in the WORLD when you can pass on that knowledge and have a sudent athlete who is hungry for it. I am sure there are many more goals for your hurdle champion and I wish you the both the best.
Justin Sutter of Granite Bay High School took 6th in the long jump at the state finals. Justin is coached by W45 Carla Kehoe.
Don’t forget about my guys! I coach the sprinters and hurdlers at Jesuit High School in Sacramento. They finished 4th in the 4 x 100, Tom Blocker was 6th in the 400, and R.J. Frasier was 5th in the 300 hurdles.
Don’t forget about my guys! I coach the sprinters and hurdlers at Jesuit High School in Sacramento. They finished 4th in the 4 x 100, Tom Blocker was 6th in the 400, and R.J. Frasier was 5th in the 300 hurdles.
Don’t forget about my guys! I coach the sprinters and hurdlers at Jesuit High School in Sacramento. They finished 4th in the 4 x 100, Tom Blocker was 6th in the 400, and R.J. Frasier was 5th in the 300 hurdles.
Congratulations to all the young athletes and their elder mentors. I have recently begun coaching middle school kids in road racing, cross country, and track and have been more rewarded by helping them reach and/or exceed their goals than I ever could have imagined. Making a difference in a child’s life- WOW! Way to go, coaches!
Congratulations Joy!!!
Don Drummond also points out a Texas state silver medalist: a kid named Lavon Collins. Dad’s name is Bill.
http://www.flotrack.org/videos/coverage/view_video/234961/184727
University of Texas
UIL State Track & Field Meet – 6/5/2009 to 6/6/2009
2009 Championships
Mike A. Myers Stadium
Event 516 Boys 300 Meter Hurdles 5A
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National: ! 35.28 2007 Jeshua Anderson, Wodlnd Hils Tft Sac
State: + 35.33 2007 Robert Griffin, Copperas Cove
Conf 5A: * 35.47 2003 Kerron Clement, La Porte
Name Year School Finals Points
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Finals
1 Steven White Killeen Ellison 37.06 10
2 Lavon Collins 11 FB Willowrid 37.70 8 .697
3 Jake Wohlford 11 Coppell 37.70 6 .700
4 Josh Brudnick 11 Katy Cinco Ranch 37.85 4
5 Sergio Rios Brownsville Pace 37.97 2
6 Roberto Comacho Copperas Cove 38.13 1
7 Luis Charles Los Fresnos 38.60
8 Chris Cole 10 Cedar Hill 39.48
— Andre Sanders CP Vista Ridge SCR
Lavon Collins 11 FB Willowridge 37.70 8 .697
He did this being the rabbit in lane 8. Congrats Lavon and Bill as I know you are very proud of your son’s accomplishment. The genes are continuing on. Also the 4×400 ran a fantastic race. Just needed another 3rd leg. 3:16 for the 4×400. Lavon ran 2nd leg and they were leading the field.
Frank Strong, an M45 national-class sprinter, writes:
I have another one for you that I think is worth mentioning. I’m the Head Track coach at Chino Hills High School and I have a kid I’ve been working with for the past couple years who’s very talented. He placed 2nd in the State finals in the 400m with a time of 46.41 behind National leader Reggie Wyatt. Here’s the kicker: He’s only a junior. He won the JO last summer as a sophomore with a 46.61.
He’s had some academic obstacles to over come, but I think we nip that in the bud. His name is Josh Mance — look for that name in the future. Anyway I just thought you might like to hear about him.
Richard Holmes and I both enjoy coaching these kind of kids. It’s very rewarding when you see them do so well.
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