Head Coach and Sprints Coach: Keri Lambert
“I want my athletes to feel a part of something that’s bigger than themselves, whether that’s the whole [Phillips Academy Track & Field] (PATF) community, their event/training group, or a relay team. Track & field is often believed to be an “individual sport,” but PATF athletes defy that every day. From offering feedback to one another on block starts to pacing one another through workouts, the teamwork I see students show at Snyder [Center] really inspires me. Before meets, I ask students to invest in one another’s performances and see each other’s successes as their own, and I really believe that most of the team takes that to heart… I also see that reflected in PATF’s coaching staff. We’re a collegial group and every coach is always trying to step up and help out the team overall however they can. That makes a huge difference considering our roster size, the range of events we compete in, and the amount of hosting we do.”
Distance Coach: Patrick Rielly
“I want all of our distance athletes to be excited about coming to practice every day. As distance running is about repetition and routine over the long term, we try to emphasize getting a little bit stronger, a little bit faster, and a little bit better in every practice. I’m proud of how the distance runners support and push each other to be at their best in practices and during races. They’re some of the toughest athletes on campus.”
Long Jump/Triple Jump Coach: Lisa Joseph
“I encourage my athletes to experiment with the techniques of take-off, flight, and landing to build body awareness. Their confidence, speed, and focus on the runway impact everything that follows in the long/triple jump. By building muscle memory through drills, I believe that my athletes can reach their desired goals. Disciplined hard work and self-care usually help them realize these goals.”
Throws Specialist: John Rex
“I want us to have fun and I want us to work hard. We have such a great group of young people. You know it’s very inclusive you know, regardless of gender. Everybody accepts everybody else and treats everybody with respect regardless of ability. I love the fact that I try and create an environment where everybody helps each other out too, so… if somebody sees a mistake somebody’s making… they’ll help out their teammate and I think it’s a group that’s really generally happy for everybody and their success, no matter what they do or their ability level.”
Pole Vault Coach: Jamal English
“Overprepare to meet the moment that happens with no fear but confidence. I believe all sport is more physical than mental. Yogic breath, mobility, and stability work matter as much as power, endurance, fast and slow twitch. That mindset and recovery as well as nutrition are underrated. Going from a 35-inch vertical and 16-mile run five times a week to five-mile power walks and yoga after hip replacement teaches these lessons. But really, I have always been there. Prepare, visualize, and breathe the performance you desire to manifest. Yeah — some Phil Jackson kinda stuff.”
