After working in the Albert Lea school district for seven years, Lonnie Nelson is the new head coach for the Tiger boys’ track and field team.

Saturday, March 30, 2002

After working in the Albert Lea school district for seven years, Lonnie Nelson is the new head coach for the Tiger boys’ track and field team.

After a young 2001 team tried to make its mark but did not enjoy a lot of success, Nelson plans on working with the athletes to help them achieve their full potential. But since he is the new coach, he knows he has a little work to do.

&uot;We’re just trying to learn each athlete’s ability,&uot; said Nelson. &uot;Some are new and they have to find their place.&uot;

That’s something Nelson would seem too be good at, considering his history. He was previously the head coach of the Owatonna and Faribault boys’ track teams, where he coached many school record holders and state qualifiers.

&uot;While I was head coach at both places, there were several individuals that qualified for state competition, as well as breaking some school records,&uot; said Nelson. &uot;It is rather pleasing as a coach seeing the athletes accomplish these tasks.&uot;

Already Nelson has opinions about the Tigers’ strong points this season.

&uot;The distance runners and the shot put could definitely be at a high level of competition,&uot; said Nelson. &uot;The sprinters also have the potential to compete at a high level.&uot;

With this in mind, it would seem Nelson is going to try to do the same as other new coaches this school year: Restore the Roar, a theme set in most of the sport programs. Nelson agrees, but at the same time doesn’t about that statement.

&uot;I’m not out to say I’m a better coach than the last one,&uot; said Nelson. &uot;It’s all about the athletes. All I’m trying to do is to get them to their full potential.&uot;

Nonetheless, Nelson has got the team on his basic practice program. The distance runners run approximately six or seven miles. As for the sprinters, he’s got them doing a variety of different speed and explosion exercises to increase their strength.

All of it leaves Nelson with one simple opinion about coaching a track team.

&uot;It’s a real pleasure to work with the guys here,&uot; he said. &uot;It takes a special athlete to go out for track, and I like working with them.&uot;