Gator Track & Field Team Ready with New Coach
By: Jase Wanlass
Staff Writer
The Green River Gators Men’s and Women’s Track and Field Team look forward to starting the season off strong and creating a new culture of success in the program behind the leadership of the new head coach, Derek Slaughter.
“This year is different because this is my first year as head coach. In year’s past, the track team wasn’t always the first priority in some people’s minds. Between myself and our amazing athletics department, we are trying to change that,” said Slaughter. “We want to see a culture change and push for all of our athletes to succeed on the track, in the weight room, and in the classroom.”
Slaughter, a USATF certified coach, who has a background in strength and conditioning, isn’t new to Green River College. During his previous three years at the school, he has worked as a member of the Track and Field Program specifically with athletes who throw the discus and the javelin. However, as he begins his first year at the helm of the program, he hopes his desire for a winning culture will transfer to everyone in the program, especially for the athletes.
Slaughter feels confident in his athletes’ abilities this season and is excited for their opportunity to compete. “We’re looking to score points at our championships and get athletes on the podium. They’ve been putting in a lot of hard work through the off-season and at the very beginning of the season, and I’m excited to see how they do at their first meet.” The program will take to the field for its first competition on Saturday, March 14th, at Pacific Lutheran University.
The program consists of 30 athletes in total, between the Women’s and men’s teams. Slaughter hopes that if the team can perform the way he believes it can, that number will undoubtedly grow, creating more opportunities for success. Among the current athletes are two sophomore standouts, Darian Hollis and Hailey Suit. Both are expected to do well during the upcoming 2019-20 season.
As for individual talents in our team Slaughter sees a lot of potential in some categories “Darian Hollis has been a force. He initially just came out for long jump but has quickly added the triple jump to his repertoire and is easily one of our fastest and most athletic athletes. I see him making a push for the podium in both of his jumping events,” said Slaughter. “On the women’s side, Hailey Suit is our most accomplished athlete.” The suit is the reigning 100-meter champion at Green River College. She also is the current record holder from last year and hopes to repeat her performance this year. “She’s also been a very hot commodity among four-year programs,” Slaughter said.
Not only are these talented upperclassmen expected to make some noise during this season, but newcomers to the Green River College Track and Field Team like Meleana Mose and Dasani Robinson are already causing waves in their areas of discus and the javelin. According to Slaughter, both new athletes are expected to make a push and become major contenders by the end of the current season. “If they keep getting stronger and figure a few things out, they will be hard to beat,” Slaughter said.
A current line-up of talented new and returning athletes, the hopes of growing the program, a new culture of success on and off the field, and an experienced and enthusiastic new head coach, are giving the Gators Track and Field Program fresh new hope for its 2020 season. A full track and Field Schedule is available online at GRC’s website.
Photo Cred: Green River College
