Women's Track Women's Track Update
by Colin Beltz
If one were to look up self-starter in the dictionary, this would be the entry: ã1. A starter 2. An individual with initiative.ä
If Concordia College published a dictionary with its own definition, it wouldnât be surprising to find this definition:
1. Evonne Vaplon.
Vaplon has been the throwersâ coach for the Concordia menâs and womenâs track teams since 1980, with the exception of 1990 when she was at NDSU. As a two-time All-American in the shot put and discus events when at school at NDSU, she has been able to convey her ideas to Concordiaâs track and field athletes. Vaplon has coached numerous national qualifiers and national champions in the shot put, discus, weight throws and javelin events.
In recent years, her athletes have been particularly successful. Six out of the last seven national champions in throwing events have been coached by Vaplon. While these athletes are talented, they have obviously learned a great deal from Vaplon.
ãShe helps us by taking time to work with each of us,ä said Shannon Frey, a senior thrower. ãShe works with me even on the tough days. She will still be there and helps you get through it.ä
The athletes arenât the only ones benefiting from Vaplon coaching at Concordia. Menâs track coach Garrick Larson also appreciates her dedication.
ãShe seems to make good throwers out of average athletes,ä he said. ãAnd she makes great throwers out of those who are good to begin with. She is the coach of the most successful group of both squads.ä
As a national champion in college, Vaplon has always had the knowledge in the throwing events. However, she had to gain the skills without the aid of coaches and the equipment todayâs athletes enjoy.
ãWhen I competed and trained I didnât have a lot of coaches with a lot of knowledge about the sports,ä she said. ãI took it upon myself and gained knowledge by reading and studying eight millimeter film. I learned a lot that way. It helped me become a better coach.ä
By having to teach herself how to train and compete competitively in her events, she learned how to excel in the throwing events.
ãSticking to basic biomechanical principals goes a long way in being successful,ä she said. ãBy learning to use the whole body, using the legs, using the hips, they learn those things early on to which are needed to be successful.ä
Another aspect of their training regimen includes speed training. This may seem strange but she says the throwing events arenât for the big and slow athletes any more.
The athletesâ workouts not only include flexing physical prowess, but peak performance in the classroom is also a staple of Concordia track and field.
ãThey have to be good students,ä said Vaplon. ãIn fact, almost all of our successful athletes are good students.ä While Vaplon does a lot of teaching during the practices, she said she is also learning from her athletes at the same time. Kris Kuehl, an All-American who graduated from Concordia in 1992 and is a 1996 Olympic hopeful, has especially taught something to Vaplon.
ãI have learned a lot from being around Kris and a lot about throwing,ä said Vaplon. ãIâve met a lot of people from the United States and all over the world and seen a lot of places because of her. It has definitely been a learning experience working with some of these athletes.ä
One lesson she has learned many times over is hard work and determination can make up for a lesser amount of pure talent.
ãI like working with people who are not necessarily going to be superstars,ä she said. ãIf they have the desire to improve themselves they almost invariably will.ä
In some of these cases, these athletes have exceeded all expectations including Vaplonâs.
ãWeâve had some good success stories here, she said. ãThey come in after not being great in high school and were able to develop themselves and go on to be national qualifiers and in some cases, national champions.ä
Men's Track Men's Track Update
Women's Track Women's Track Update
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