It's going to be a two-ring circus for track and field athletes this year: thanks to coach Rachel Andres, Olds High School is now home to two brand new regulation throwing rings for their discus, shot put and hammer throwers.
The former standout NCAA Division I athlete has been a volunteer coach for the OHS throwing program for the past four years. When she began, her throwers were practising from the sidewalks and in the parking lot.
"For a little while we were also throwing from the sidewalk across the road in front of the high school," she said. "So, not the best situation if cars were coming."
Andres, a Kansas native, had been trying to get proper throwing pads in place since she started coaching. But coordinating between the high school and college to find the right location has been a work in progress, she said.
"It's just been me bugging them the last three years," she chuckled.
Last year, the green light was given for a permanent practice area at the far south end of the auxiliary field, tucked in between the baseball field and the bus barns, which Andre says turns out to be an ideal location.
"(It) hadn't been used for a while and (is) a perfect size for a throwing area," she said.
After getting final approval from the college, two cement pads were poured over the summer, and Andres herself bolted down the metal rings in late August.
The cement pads cost just shy of $3,500 when all was said and done, with some costs offset by the college, which did prep work. Fundraising by athletes and parents, and a contribution from the high school covered the cost of pouring the concrete pads, while a donation from the Olds Rotary Club went towards the metal rings to complete the setup.
With a permanent practice area, Andres is hoping to see the high school program expand, in part because the team will be able to practise right after school, instead of later in the evening.
"I'm expecting a lot of growth," she said, adding that she's hoping for a group of 25 athletes this year, up from 14. "We had a lot of kids who weren't able to come out (last year), just because I had to wait for the parking lot to empty."
As a former college athlete, Andres aims to get potential throwers pointed in the direction of university athletics.
"That's the goal here," she said. "I want to help other kids get into that, and show them the ropes."
In addition to developing potential college throwers, Andres is also hoping to make Olds a hub for Alberta throwers.
"My goal here is to have this be the centre of the throwing program in Alberta," said Andres. "Lethbridge has some really good throws programs, but that's where the kids have to go if they want to do anything."
"I want them to be able to come to Olds now as well," she said, "so we can have a more competitive spirit coming out of all the kids in Alberta, and get more Olympic level athletes."
"My goal here is to have this be the centre of the throwing program in Alberta." RACHEL ANDRESVOLUNTEER COACH
