On the Track with the Dukes of York

By Scott Bush

�Spectacular achievements are always preceded by unspectacular preparation.�

-          Roger Staubach

Thirty of the best runners on one of the best distance programs in the country stare at their tireless leader for 20 minutes as the man goes through their pre-workout routine of going over the prior days practice, cracking jokes, explaining the day's workout and reading an inspirational quote. 

            For decades now, Coach Joe Newton has been doing this routine to inspire and create a culture among the kids at York High School in Elmhurst, Illinois.  �The Long Green Line� has kept on rolling the past few years, and this year is no exception.  The 2004 York squad may be the best team Newton has ever fielded.  He explains this to his men before the practice, comparing their five by a mile workout the day before to the one the '99 team did (the team led by Donald Sage), and Newton's best team to date.  You can see that this team takes it seriously, as no one cracks a smile as Newton is making the comparisons.  They want to be the best; they want to be the new team to be compared to.

             A York practice is nothing special when you first arrive.  The team is divided into groups (1-6).  The top thirty runners are in the top three groups, while the rest of their two hundred man crew takes up groups four thru six.  The top thirty get out of school a little earlier than the rest of the team, so they warm up and stretch before the rest of the young men arrive, which allows them to take full use of the track, while groups four thru six warm up and prepare. 

            Today's workout is 20x200, split up into sets of five, with descending rest from 60 seconds during the first set and continuously dropping 15 seconds per set, meaning the last five are done with 15 seconds rest.  This is a continuous workout however (no slow lap jogs or breaks in between sets), and in blazing sun and 85 degree heat this workout is a killer. 

            As the top York runners start their workout, the rest of the team has arrived at the track.  They do their warm-up jogging around the track, laughing and clapping while cheering on the guys doing their workout.  This type of team spirit, everyone surrounding the track and cheering on the top guys as they blaze is commonplace in Elmhurst.

            The top seven all run strong, running their 200's consistently between 28 and 31.  Senior Sean McNamara leads the way, running each 200 in a smooth looking 29.  Half milers Roger Billhardt and Mike Arnold run very well too, obviously showcasing their speed and ability to run some fast repetitions.  The rest of the top pack consists of Brian Marchese, Eric Dettman, Matt Dettman and David Montgomery, all of whom are juniors, and all of whom will be leading this workout next year.  

            Another sight in the pack is York's assistant coach Charlie Kern.  Coach Kern is a great runner in his own right, as he strides next to McNamara, pushing the top guys to stay controlled but still run fast.  He is a less talked about asset of the York team, but is needed as much as anyone or anything else. 

            As the men press forward coach Newton is seen at the starting line, yelling words of criticism and enthusiasm, not relenting to any runner, treating each one with the same level of respect.  While Newton may not get around like he used to, his is still as lively as he was when he won his first state championship it is said, now however he takes to a chair while the workouts take place. 

            Toward the end of the workout, a few of the guys peel off the track, calling it a day after sixteen 200's.  They could push on, but they know they have to be healthy and strong when it counts in November and December.  There is no reason to risk injury today.  Everyone is pumped afterwards, but coach Newton keeps them from feeling cocky.  Newton consistently compares this team to the York squad of 1999, which is considered the best ever in Illinois history and was the number one team in the nation according to The Harrier that year. 

            The excitement that is creeping across York is easy to see.  Everyone on this team of nearly two hundred runners is excited for what could be this season.  Talking to McNamara and York's �Ambassador of Goodwill� Pat Tomasiewicz, expectations are running high, and anything less than a state championship and national championship are just not acceptable. 

            As the workout closes with ten one-hundred meter strides and an all out three hundred you can tell this team is on a mission.  They want to win and know they have to work harder than ever before in order to accomplish greatness.  As each runner leaves the track they head over to Coach Newton and shake his hand.  This is the way the young men learn respect Newton says, while also giving him a chance to critique their workout and feed them encouragement.  This is the way it has been done now for decades, and this is the way it will be done for the foreseeable future, as the Dukes of York continue their charge into the history books.