THE STORM TRACK CLUB

A message from our Head Coach, Doug Kotti:

 

The Storm Track Club in Columbia, South Carolina has grown rapidly the past few seasons: from twenty-two track and field athletes in 2010, to nearly 200 track and field athletes in 2016.  In 2012 we added our cross country program.   As was the case with track and field, our cross country program has expanded each and every year.  We attribute that substantial growth of our team to the human factor: the supportive, spirited families of our young athletes; our dedicated, talented coaches; and most importantly, the enthusiastic young athletes who sign on every year. As we coaches often say, this amazing growth is a blessing, and we enthusiastically adjust to the situation.

 

All of our coaches are former (or present) competitive track and field athletes. Several participated in track and field in college. Coaches are assigned certain events and areas of concentration; they are responsible for training, teaching, and assessing each athlete. The events that each coach is assigned typically are the same events in which he or she competed. 

 

We practice at the two high school tracks in the Irmo/Chapin communities: at Irmo High School and Chapin High School.  We welcome athletes from all areas around the Midlands.  Our primary practice days are on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 6:30-7:45.   Meets take place on Saturdays.  

 

Our competition season has two stages. First, the local recreational “rec” season in which we compete in meets in the Columbia area. Second, we compete in meets sponsored by national track associations, such as USA Track & Field and the AAU, and held in accordance with their rules of competition.  These meets take place primarily throughout South Carolina and surrounding states.   Our season culminates in the USAT&F-South Carolina Junior Olympic (“JO”) State Championships, the USAT&F Region 4 (SC, GA, and FL) Junior Olympic Championship, and finally the USAT&F Junior Olympic National Championship. 

 

The Storm currently competes in the following running events:  100m dash, 200m dash, 400m dash, 800m, 1500m, 3000m, 100m hurdles, 400m hurdles, 4x100m, and 4x800m.   An athlete’s age will determine eligibility for these events.  

 

In addition, The Storm competes in several field events which include long jump, high jump, triple jump, javelin, shot put, and discus.   In the Junior Olympic meets we had athletes compete in the triathlon, pentathlon, and 2000m steeplechase.   

 

Athletes compete in groups (“divisions”) by gender and age. Her or his age group is determined by the YEAR of birth, not by the full date of birth. For example, an athlete born in December 2005 competes in the same age group as his teammate who was born in January of 2005: both are considered the same age all season long.  The age divisions are as follows: 8 and under; 9 – 10; 11 – 12; 13 - 14; 15 -16; 17 - 18.  AAU age divisions typically contain only one year rather than two.

 

Our coaches will give equal attention to all of our athletes, regardless of which meets they prefer. Moreover, we are committed to continue our roles as long as we have any athlete desiring to compete and as long as we have any who advance to the next level. I cannot emphasize enough how talented, dedicated, and motivated our coaches are. They are all volunteers and good people in general; all but two of us have children on the team. I stand in awe of them, and have come to revere and love them --- just as you will. 

 

Each young athlete on our roster need not be a future Olympian, or even a high school track athlete, to run with The Storm. Quite to the contrary, every young person of any ability is invited and welcome on our team. Every child receives the same level of instruction, care, and attention from our exceptional coaches.  As you have already read and hopefully have experienced, we operate and regard ourselves as a big family. The Storm Track Club is now known state-wide and around the Southeast region for its indomitable esprit-de-corps, steadfastly loyal fans, and constant positive enthusiasm. 

 

Our athletes will learn and compete in one of the great sports, make new friends, and learn important life skills such as perseverance, courage, personal responsibility, sportsmanship, and giving maximum individual effort for the team. We emphasize the virtues of commitment, loyalty, character, and service. We do not tolerate bullying, harsh criticism, or negative comments or attitudes by anyone, although those matters have not been issues for us. We want everyone to have fun and to be safe. Everyone of any ability and regardless of prior athletic experience is welcome to run with The Storm.