FloTrack American Distance Coach of The Year Nominee: Drew Wartenburg
FloTrack American Distance Coach of The Year Nominee: Drew Wartenburg
Drew Wartenburg is onto something in Sacramento. The former UC Davis head coach launched NorCal Distance Project in 2014 and 2016 really put them on the map.
Vote for Drew Wartenburg as the FloTrack American Distance Coach of the Year!
American Distance Athletes:
Kim Conley, Kate Grace, Lauren Wallace, Lianne Farber, Rachel Mitchell, Leah O'Connor (Joined September 2016), Brie Felnagle (Joined Oct 2016)
2016 Accomplishments:
2 U.S. Olympians (2 Events)
1 U.S. Champion (Kate Grace, 800m)
1 Olympic Finalist (Kate Grace, 800m)
2016 U.S. Top 10 Ranks (5):
No. 2 Women's 800m (1:58.28 - Grace)
No. 6 Women's 5,000m (15:09.31 - Conley)
No. 7 Women's Mile (4:27.88 - Conley)
No. 9 Women's Mile (4:28.30 - Grace)
No. 9 Women's 1500m (4:05.65 - Grace)
Drew Wartenburg is onto something in Sacramento. The former UC Davis head coach launched NorCal Distance Project in 2014 and 2016 really put them on the map. As he puts it, "really, what we're doing is trying to put athletes in the best position possible. And at some point, you have no choice but to step back and the athletes will do what they do best. That's the satisfying piece of it."
"I ride the coattails of great athletes, and that's a fun ride."
Resiliency has been key for this group of women. Kate Grace joined the group in 2015 after suffering injury and became one of the top American middle distance runners, winning the Olympic trials 800m race and placing eighth--the lone American--in the Olympic final.
"I've learned that having a program like Drew's program and the NorCal Distance Project is great for me," Grace told FloTrack after winning the Olympic Trials. "Kim [Conley] is such an inspiration to me. She is so tenacious, has such focus every day in practice. Even today before the race, I was listing workouts that I had done with her. Crazy, hard workouts that I was able to complete with her. In a way, it's like I'm not scared of racing right now because I know I've put in that work."
The combination of speed and strength rubbed off on Conley, too, who made her second Olympic team in the 5K--days after falling during the 10K race in Eugene. And other athletes are taking notice of this versatile training program. Steeplechaser Leah O'Connor moved to Sacramento to join the group in September, and former Brooks Beast Brie Felnagle joined in October.
FloTrack Coach of the Year Schedule:
Dec. 7th - Nominee #1: Mark Wetmore and Heather Burroughs
Dec. 8th - Nominee #2: Alberto Salazar
Dec. 9th - Nominee #3: Ray Treacy
Dec. 10th - Nominee #4: Lee LaBadie
Dec. 11th - Nominee #5: Drew Wartenburg
Dec. 12th - Nominee #6: Dan Browne
Dec. 13th - Nominee #7: Jerry Schumacher, fan voting begins
Dec. 28th - Fan voting closes
Dec. 29th - Winner is announced
For the past decade, FloTrack has traveled the planet covering our sport and seen up close what a struggle it can be to compete at the highest level. Unlike in much of the rest of the world, it's tough for U.S. runners to find a coach who can devote enough time. Most professional coaches here either really work as college coaches or are sponsored by a single shoe company. To support the great work our professional coaches do, we're announcing the FloTrack American Distance Coach of the Year, presented by T-Mobile. Later this year, one coach will win $10,000 for his or her work with American distance runners in 2016.
DREW WARTENBURG
Sacramento, California | NorCal Distance ProjectAmerican Distance Athletes:
Kim Conley, Kate Grace, Lauren Wallace, Lianne Farber, Rachel Mitchell, Leah O'Connor (Joined September 2016), Brie Felnagle (Joined Oct 2016)
2016 Accomplishments:
2 U.S. Olympians (2 Events)
1 U.S. Champion (Kate Grace, 800m)
1 Olympic Finalist (Kate Grace, 800m)
2016 U.S. Top 10 Ranks (5):
No. 2 Women's 800m (1:58.28 - Grace)
No. 6 Women's 5,000m (15:09.31 - Conley)
No. 7 Women's Mile (4:27.88 - Conley)
No. 9 Women's Mile (4:28.30 - Grace)
No. 9 Women's 1500m (4:05.65 - Grace)
Drew Wartenburg is onto something in Sacramento. The former UC Davis head coach launched NorCal Distance Project in 2014 and 2016 really put them on the map. As he puts it, "really, what we're doing is trying to put athletes in the best position possible. And at some point, you have no choice but to step back and the athletes will do what they do best. That's the satisfying piece of it."
"I ride the coattails of great athletes, and that's a fun ride."
Resiliency has been key for this group of women. Kate Grace joined the group in 2015 after suffering injury and became one of the top American middle distance runners, winning the Olympic trials 800m race and placing eighth--the lone American--in the Olympic final.
"I've learned that having a program like Drew's program and the NorCal Distance Project is great for me," Grace told FloTrack after winning the Olympic Trials. "Kim [Conley] is such an inspiration to me. She is so tenacious, has such focus every day in practice. Even today before the race, I was listing workouts that I had done with her. Crazy, hard workouts that I was able to complete with her. In a way, it's like I'm not scared of racing right now because I know I've put in that work."
The combination of speed and strength rubbed off on Conley, too, who made her second Olympic team in the 5K--days after falling during the 10K race in Eugene. And other athletes are taking notice of this versatile training program. Steeplechaser Leah O'Connor moved to Sacramento to join the group in September, and former Brooks Beast Brie Felnagle joined in October.
FloTrack Coach of the Year Schedule:
Dec. 7th - Nominee #1: Mark Wetmore and Heather Burroughs
Dec. 8th - Nominee #2: Alberto Salazar
Dec. 9th - Nominee #3: Ray Treacy
Dec. 10th - Nominee #4: Lee LaBadie
Dec. 11th - Nominee #5: Drew Wartenburg
Dec. 12th - Nominee #6: Dan Browne
Dec. 13th - Nominee #7: Jerry Schumacher, fan voting begins
Dec. 28th - Fan voting closes
Dec. 29th - Winner is announced
For the past decade, FloTrack has traveled the planet covering our sport and seen up close what a struggle it can be to compete at the highest level. Unlike in much of the rest of the world, it's tough for U.S. runners to find a coach who can devote enough time. Most professional coaches here either really work as college coaches or are sponsored by a single shoe company. To support the great work our professional coaches do, we're announcing the FloTrack American Distance Coach of the Year, presented by T-Mobile. Later this year, one coach will win $10,000 for his or her work with American distance runners in 2016.