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UPFRONT PLACES | PERSPECTIVES | HAPPENINGS
Off to the Races
COACH FRED PICHAY OFFERS INSIGHT INTO ONE OF LAGUNA BEACH ’ S BIGGEST TRACK MEETS OF THE YEAR .
By JESSIE DAX-SETKUS
T rack and field is a sport most are rather familiar with , largely because of the Olympics — but it also happens to be one of the oldest sports around , with origins dating back to ancient Greece . With so many activities to take part in on a track and field team , everyone can find at least one event that they excel in .
Coach Fred Pichay has been coaching this eclectic sport at Laguna Beach High School for over 30 years and trains athletes to participate in the City Track Meet , one of the biggest track and field events in the area that is slated for March 31 this year . Nearly 30 kids signed up for the winter training session and another track clinic is slated for spring , beginning in April . Here , Pichay shares a little about his love for the sport and what it takes to become a star at the City Track Meet .
Coach Fred Pichay
LAGUNA BEACH MAGAZINE : What is your background with track and field ? FRED PICHAY : I am an assistant coach at Laguna Beach High School , and I have been doing the city track and field program [ for ] over 30 years . I ran track while I was in high school and I am still running long distance [ s today ]; … I have run over 100 marathons in my life . … I love the kids and enjoy spending time with them . It ’ s not just about running , it ’ s about building mentorship and building relationships for a lifetime .
LBM : What do you do at the City Track Meet and the preparatory Track & Field Clinic ? FP : We do the long and short distance [ runs and sprints ], high jump and long jump , … and softball throw . I train the students to prepare for the City Track Meet . They are still learning how to run and I teach them how to run properly and … encourage them to be the best they can be .
LBM : What are the training sessions like ? FP : We … work out [ and practice ] everything , including long distance [ runs ] and jump [ s ]. We train Monday , Wednesday and Friday [ for ] an hour and a half a day . [ It ]
A race during a past year ' s City Track Meet
depends how many people sign up . … We have a very good program — the kids love it .
LBM : What age or experience level must you be in order to participate ? FP : [ The kids '] ages range from 6 to 14 years old . Some of the kids have never been in a program and I teach them how to run properly and build up their running form . Some of the kids have been in the program for many years .
LBM : Where does the City Track Meet take place ? FP : At [ Guyer Field , which is ] the Laguna Beach High School track
LBM : What do the kids take away from the track meet ? FP : I try to pick good events for the kids depending on their skill set — long or short distance . We try to find their strongest three or four events and choose those . I want to set them up for success and also prepare them for high school and college .
LBM : What kind of workout do the children get from these track events ? FP : The workouts are intense and they love it . Sometimes we do stadium and hill repeats . It is a very good workout .
LBM : What equipment is necessary for these meets ? FP : We bring mini hurdles , parachutes , [ items for ] strength training for [ the ] upper body , [ the softball for the ] softball throw , [ which ] is [ for ] ages 6-12 years old . Some of my students contact me later in life and they are still running , and they say thank you for helping them get into the sport . Running is a lifelong sport almost anyone can do , from a very young age into adulthood .
TOP : MARC OSTRICK / LAGUNA BEACH INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTO ; BOTTOM : COURTESY OF CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
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