Jacob Ingebrigsten was a 2022 highlight. Photo: Getty Images
2022 is a return to normal in many ways for track and field. The year marked a significant uptick in racing and live streaming of races. The amount of excitement around track and field was amazing. I thought I'd share some of my favorite and worst moments from my track and field world in 2022.
World Championships in Oregon
I spent every night of the World Championships in front of my TV with devices loaded to field event streams, live results and more. The competition was incredible; the USA even better. The best moment was the last night. I loved watching two of New Jersey's finest, Athing Mu and Sydney McLaughlin, lead team USA to a massive 4 x 400 win. Mondo Duplantis setting a world record 30 seconds later was a perfect ending.
Citius Mag
Citius Mag went full time. Chris Chavez and crew made the World Championships and every other event incredible. Thank you!
Newbury Park takes on NYC
I was at a meet in New Jersey when the Newbury Park trio raced at the Dr. Sander Invitational. Colin Sahlman, Lex Young and Aaron Sahlman ran stellar races against professional fields. Colin was the highlight as he took the win in the mile in a time of 3:58.81. Lex and Aaron ran amazing 3ks as well. As a high school coach, it is often difficult watching other high school teams succeed in such a dominate way. However, these athletes showed the entire country that we all can be better. They have raised the bar.
Jacob Ingebrigsten tells it like it is
Jacob Ingebrigsten was nearly perfect as a racer this past year. After losing the 1500, he made the 5000 meter at the World Championship look easy. Jacob also used 2022 to grow into a leader for the sport. He is clearly trying to entertain in his races and his interview answers are blunt and exciting. Check this one out. Jacob is the most exciting figure in distance running and track and field as a whole. I am excited to see what he does in 2023.
Jacob Wightman wins World Championships 1500 and his father makes the stadium call
Jacob Wightman's father, Geoff, was the stadium announcer for the 1500 at the World Championships. Geoff was able to keep his composure as his son lifted hard over the last 200 to take the win. You can check out the side by side video here.
CBA Wins Manhattan, NJSIAA NPA and MOC, and NXR Northeast
2022 was a banner year for CBA XC and I was a proud coach. The boys worked hard and cared a whole lot about each other. They pulled us out of a tough year. I am especially proud of my seniors. Led by Nick Sullivan, they came together and won everything. A few cases of the flu hurt us at NXN, but before that moment, these boys were amazing. It was fun for my assistant, Conor Lunny, and I to watch them thrive.
A Turning Point - CBA runs 4 x mile at Indoor Nationals
2020-2021 was tough for a lot of people. I do not want to conflate track and field woes with real world issues, including severe sickness and death. With that said, the pandemic was a challenge as a teacher and a coach. I was a terribly average as a coach. My team struggled mightily and a lot of it was my fault. The New Balance Indoor Nationals 4 x mile was a tough moment. The boys were not ready because my coaching was crap. We ran over 18:20. My assistant, Noah Yuro, and I spent the next few months working very hard to change our success. Our season culminated with a 2nd place at the Outdoor Nationals in a time just over 17:30. Our B Team broke 18 and won unseeded heat.
Princeton Half Marathon - Wife and Friends Successes
The Princeton Half Marathon is a lowkey event. The race happens in early November. The course is pretty hilly and winds around the town of Princeton and the University. This year my wife ran a great race. My good friends, Brian Stanziano and Andrew Cusick, also had great races. I loved watching them achieve their goals.
Penn Relays Returns
I spent the long weekend in Philly at the Sheraton with fellow assistants, Andrew Cusick and Noah Yuro, and a group of amazing young men. We enjoyed Federal Donuts, watched amazing races and coached hard. This meet wasn't about winning for us. It was getting back to exciting meets and setting up these boys for a great future. Coach Cusick wrote a great article about the weekend.
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