No need to crack, just facts........Happy reading!!
Tennessee Track Review
SEC Championships Analysis
2013
Basic Notes:
Both teams finished 8th (men out of 12 teams, women out of 14 teams)
Men totaled 32 points (7th last year with 40.5 pts/8th in 2011). Women totaled 29 (4th last year with 68 pts/3rd in 2011)
Men lost 7 points from 2012
Women lost 36 points from 2012 (not including the 10 points by the DMR losing 3 members)
NCAA: Women finished tied for 48th place with 3 points
NCAA: Men had two competitors but did not score any points
Addition of Texas A&M along with Missouri and the continued domination by Arkansas/Florida/LSU/Georgia on both sides increased the difficulty to be successful at the SEC meet.
Overview
In this 4rd year under the current administration Tennessee had to overcome a heavy point total loss (referring to indoor along with outdoor points) by having an exemplary recruiting class. With a total of 8 athletes (5 women and 3 men) signed there was little to no chance to cover what they lost over the past 3 years in huge point scorers (i.e. Ellen Wortham (grad), Phoebe Wright (grad), Chanelle Price (grad), Jackie Areson (grad), Annie Alexander (grad), Dentarius Locke (transfer), Joe Morris (transfer), Joe Berry (grad), Peter Sigilai (transfer) and they shouldn’t have to. Those 8 came in 5 had to come in and contribute right away. Those 5 had an excellent indoor season when it comes to their relative age and ability. Cameron Brown (Weight Throw), Jake Blakenship (Pole Vault), Felicia Brown (200/400), Alexis Panisse (Distance), Cassie Wertman (Shot Put) came in and either scored at SEC’s or contributed to a relay that scored.
Boys
The men managed to score 8 fewer points than the 2012 despite losing only 5 points to graduation from Robert Rasnick in the Pole Vault. Much of the reasoning could be the introduction of Texas A&M and Missouri to the SEC taking those little points we were receiving in several events. It could also be that little improvement and in some cases degradation of the recruiting traction as well as little individual improvement was made in a year. With a much tougher conference (6 top 25 teams including the 1-2-3 NCAA ranked teams) the stakes have been raised to an unbelievable height when it comes to being competitive on the conference and national level. Unfortunately, based on what has been released in the media there does not appear to be any marked improvement coming up. As of March 2nd, 0 signed male recruits have been announced, the University does not appear to be making strides to make enough movement to get out of the bottom half of the conference in the next 2 years. The highest finisher at the meet for men or women was a 2nd place finish by freshman Jake Blankenship which any alumni can tell you they are more than impressed with. Unfortunately, that means that not only did they finish in the top 8, Tennessee did not have a single SEC Champion this year matching their total of champions from 2012 (1 in 2011). 1 SEC Champion in 3 years on the men’s side is unfortunate. What is worse is that the conference just became tougher as evidenced by this year’s meet and will continue to become tougher as certain teams (such as Alabama and Kentucky) begin a rise to the top half of the conference.
Individual Event Focus
Sprints (60-400/60H/4X400) contributed 7 points from 2 scorers (Terry Benson and 4X4). They lose 3 points from Benson who has exhausted eligibility meaning he will not contribute outdoors either. The 4X400 was 5th out of 8 teams (Arkansas/South Carolina were DQ’d but beat us before they were DQ’d pushing us to 7th)
Distance (800-5000/DMR) contributed 4 points from 1 scorer (DMR). Do not lose any contributors.
Throws (Shot Put/Weight Throw) contributed 8 points from 2 scorers (Matthew Hoty and Cameron Brown). Do not lose any contributors.
Horizontal Jumps (Long Jump/Triple Jump) contributed 0 points with only one competitor who was previously injured and only completed one jump.
Vertical Jumps (Pole Vault/High Jump) contributed 13 points from 2 competitors in the Pole Vault (Jake Blankenship and Chase Brannon). For the 2nd straight year Tennessee has not entered a High Jumper. Both competitors return all 13 points.
Tennessee scored in 6 of the 16 contested events.
Individual Event Analysis (all percentages are generally rounded)
Sprints has 5 events indoors (31% of total). Scoring 7 team points (22% of team total) in 2 events.
Distance has 5 events indoors (31% of total). Scoring 4 team points (12.5% of team total) in 1 event.
Throws has 2 events (12.5% of total). Scoring 8 team points (25% of team total) in 2 events.
Horizontal Jumps has 2 events (12.5% of total). Scoring 0 points (0% of team total) in 0 events.
Vertical Jumps has 2 events (12.5% of total). Scoring 13 points (40% of team total) in 1 event.
To have a balanced team focusing your energy to these percentages of events would be ideal understanding that some teams are going to be stronger in certain areas than others. There are some obvious deficiencies and strengths on the team as evidence by the two Pole Vaulters accounting for not only 40% of the team total but also 3 times their ideal amount. If you also account for the fact that there was not a high jumper to contribute to that total they actually scored over 6 times their ideal amount. The Horizontal Jumps have now scored a total of 5 points in 3 years in one event (0 points for the Triple Jump). The throws managed to score in both events and account for a quarter of the teams points this year returning both next year as a Sophomore and Junior. Distance managed only 4 points in one event meaning they did not qualify an 800 runner (4 entered), a mile runner (3 entered) and did not score in the 3000 or 5000 (4 entered in each). Outside of the 800 it can generally be considered that the SEC is poor on a national level this year in the distance area (2 event qualifiers from the conference in the mile/3000/5000 and 1 relay). There should be opportunity to take more points in these individual events. If you analyze what is returning from those athletes just off of the scoring (places 9-12) 8 athletes just missed that top 8 position which hopefully indicates that there are select returners that can move into positions to contribute next year.
As an aside, any alumni can tell you that comparing times in the 80s/90s and 00s is virtually useless when you consider the level that American and NCAA distance running has risen to in the past 3-4 years alone. The school record holder in the mile and 3000 would not reach the NCAA meet this year, the 5000 record sits 10th in the country and the school record DMR would be outside of the top 16 and only 12 qualify for NCAAs. They ran incredible efforts and ran well earning All Americans and NCAA qualifiers but the level has significantly improved in a short time meaning everyone needs to catch up. This is not a knock on the guys that have run in the past nor is it a criticism of the current athletes, it just speaks to the direction the NCAA Distance area is headed. This is only speaking to the constant reminder of all-time marks which are great and should be celebrated except they did not earn any point totals.
Finally, with no apparent signees so far for 2013-14 and counting on the 2 that scored this year, there does not appear to be a silver lining ahead without drastic changes in certain areas while continuing the success of other areas. 4 individuals will return next year as SEC scorers this year.
Girls
While the Distance Medley Relay and 4X400 only lose one member the team loses 11 of their 29 SEC points to graduation. 18 points returning to a team where, to finish in the top 6 of the SEC you had score 50 points. Is there 21 points out there on the team and incoming? If you look at those within the next 4 spots outside of the scorers (9-12th place), you would find that there are 5 performances by returners that would be in a potential position to score next indoor season. Along with the 2 female (no male) recruits signed (according to us.milesplit.com as UT has not released their signing class like many other top programs have) I personally cannot come up with 22 points to get Tennessee to the top half of the conference. Finishing 4th in 2010, 3rd in 2011 and 4th in 2012 the lady’s team appeared to be in good shape until realizing that 3 years of very little top flight recruiting and the graduations of those ladies mentioned in the overview decimated the team. I think anyone would reasonably think that this was an anomaly, they lost a lot and they are young. Therefore, they cannot finish worse than this next year. With 5 recruits last year (3 look to contribute in their 4 years on the SEC level), and 2 recruits going into next year there is a bleak horizon ahead. 5 individuals will return as SEC scorers next year.
Individual event focus
Sprints (60-400/4X4/60H) contributed 3 points to the teams total of 29 points in the form of the 4X400. Sidenote: the 4X400 had 11 teams complete the race (Florida was DQ’d leaving 10 teams) meaning to score you had to beat 3 teams to score any points.
Distance (800-5000/DMR) contributed 11 points (Nijgia Snapp (6) and DMR (5)). Loses 6 from Snapp next year.
Throws (Shot Put/WT) contributed 5 points (Jessie Harrison (2) and Cassie Wertman (3)). Lose 2 points from Harrison next year.
Horizontal Jumps (LJ/TJ) contributed 3 points (Kia Jackson). Lose those 3 points next year.
Vertical Jumps (Pv/HJ) contributed 7 points. Lose 0 points next year.
Individual event analysis
Sprints has 5 events indoors (31% of total). Scoring 3 team points (10% of team total) in 1 event.
Distance has 5 events indoors (31% of total). Scoring 11 team points (37% of team total) in 2 events.
Throws has 2 events (12.5% of total). Scoring 5 team points (17% of team total) in 2 events.
Horizontal Jumps has 2 events (12.5% of total). Scoring 3 points (10% of team total) in 1 event.
Vertical Jumps has 2 events (12.5% of total). Scoring 7 points (24% of team total) in 1 event.
To have a balanced team you would expect these percentages to line up (with reasonable differences if your team focuses in areas). Dealing with a very small amount of total points you can see that distance/throws and vertical jumps (just pole vault really) performed over their total with Horizontal Jumps and Sprints performing under, especially Sprints. Pole Vault scored twice as many points as they should have been expected to while Sprints scored 32% of their expected team contribution. This should be a moderate indicator on where money to Coaches and athletes should be directed or at least where you are not contributing. The 2 lady recruits we have are in fact focused in the horizontal jumps and should compete right away for a couple of SEC points next year. The sprint area does not have any recruits. The distance loses 6 of its 11 points next year with no recruits. Vertical Jumps (meaning Pole Vault as we had 0 High Jumpers in any meet all year) are the only promising event area as they return the highest percentage of points next year. The problem with this being our best event is that these are one event athletes (same point can be made for men). These ladies will not compete in another event their entire career at Tennessee.
SEC Analysis
Starting from the Bottom: The SEC is lucky Vanderbilt puts next to 0 focus on the Indoors as they are built for Cross Country (2011 SEC Champ and NCAA Team Qualifier 2011-2012) and their men do not have indoor or outdoor track. Auburn, Mississippi State (men do not do indoor) and Ole Miss have very little depth in any particular event area especially the “money” event areas (Sprints/Distance). Alabama is a young team similar to Tennessee except that they brought in a very large class last year and so far has signed 8 ladies and 8 men. Missouri is new to the conference and has focused their efforts in the field events and multis and do not seem positioned to improve greatly next year on either side. Kentucky is a team that will skyrocket in the coming years. With a new staff from Stanford including top distance coaches (Jason Dunn and Hakon Devries) and head coach Eldrick Floreal they have already transformed their squad into a competitive team. South Carolina used big points in several event areas to do well in this meet but has little talented depth to sustain improvement. They are however built well for an NCAA top 25 finish. Georgia used big points in the field and scrapped for points on the track. The next 3 teams are going to be one review as they are virtually the same in style. Florida, Texas A&M, LSU have focused their efforts onto the track (Sprints and Distance) with other event areas contributing points in one or two specific areas. However, with 10 out 16 events on the track they are in the right lane to keep up a high level of performance through graduations and new classes. Finally Arkansas (SEC Champ for men and women) is just designed for pulling multiple scorers from many events with no central focus area. This formula is great for conference meets and through great facilities and a energetic fan base they have convinced many athletes to come at much less than they could receive in other programs. They have also developed many unheralded athletes into scorers. These athletes may not contribute as much on the NCAA level (Arkansas is ranked behind LSU women going into the NCAA meet) but they will eat points that other teams (Tennessee included) is trying to scrap for. Their recruiting model along with facility enhancements is similar to Texas A&M, LSU and Florida. It is not hard to believe that it has paid off as the top 5 female teams (along with Georgia) were also the top 5 male teams this year. Going into the NCAA meet the Women have 7 top 25 ranked teams. Unfortunately we likely will not match our 8th best SEC team finish at NCAA with just 1 qualifier (ranked 11th) headed to Fayetteville. The men finished 8th and will likely finish in the 40s based on our 1 qualifier (ranked 5th) joining our lady to Arkansas.
Final Opinion and Review
This can apply to both the women and the men team. The moral of the squad from lack of performance and lack of improvement (to the scoring level) has led to a spiraling whirlwind into the bottom of the SEC that looks inescapable with the current conditions. Athletes are less attracted to a school without an Indoor facility which is not necessary in places such as Georgia, Alabama, Auburn and Mississippi/State but is important in the northern half of the conference. The University needs funds to make this happen and until the following happen, the funds will not be there:
• Changes to current administration who are not meeting the expectations required of a coach at the University of Tennessee
• A winning product or at least potential excitement for that product to succeed in 2-3 years on a conference and national level.
• Home meets to attend. Tennessee will host 1 meet in Cross Country, Indoor, Outdoor track. There were no University-organized alumni events that encouraged athletes to come back this year.
• The one meet the University hosts has taken a steady decline in recent years due to placing home athletes in the best lanes/heats when they may not have deserved to be there which insults visiting schools. It has also has attracted Division II and low Division I talent as of late. Alumni will not support UT vs. Akron University (for example) as the only meet available to go to in Knoxville. With no home cross country meet the past 2 years there is no opportunity for the University to bring in alumni to support the team, honor them at Football games, wine and dine, etc.
How can it be corrected?
• Without making decisions for the University (since I won’t be asked regarding my opinion) certain coaching changes need to be made. Focusing on what areas have failed in the past 3 years, a list is not hard to come up with.
• Much improved focus on recruiting not only top 10 level athletes but local and statewide talent that has excellent potential and could have been the core of the team (i.e. Tennessee has landed 0 of the last 14 Footlocker National Finalists from Tennessee dating back to 2004, Footlocker races the top 40 males and top 40 females in the country in a national championship race)
• Formulate a strategic plan that can be presented to Alumni and supporters. Not necessarily detailing to the point that would be advantageous to other schools to know recruiting/competition strategies but basic goals in mind and general steps on how the staff/University plans on achieving them.
• Home events with good talent using personal relationships with other coaches to bring in intriguing matchups and events that will attract the community and alumni base.
• Create an innovative campaign AFTER the alumni connection is back online. Solely a service mechanism that doesn’t include picking up the phone at a phone bank and asking for money. Use a phone bank with the athletes to create relationships with the generations with simple updates on the team as well as those athlete’s personal improvements. Use this method to invite the alumni to the next event or even the awards dinner. The money will come later if there is a reason for those alumni to (for instance) sponsor that athlete/team they have formed a connection with. With hundreds of T&F male and female athletes (many who are in a position to give back) raising 10 million is a one year task that requires you to ask for nothing in the first 5 seconds of a phone call, just create relationships and bring in the funds later.