Last season, the St. Cecilia boys track and field team became the first team to win three straight Class C boys state championships since Heartland did it from 1998-2000. It was also the Bluehawks' 13th state championship in school history.
However, this season, one of the constants from the STC's three-peat is no longer with the team. Former head coach Vince Pelster retired after last year's state championship, leaving girls head coach Alan VanCura with the responsibility of coaching both squads. VanCura said the area where his workload increased the most wasn't on the track, but behind the desk.
"Right now, the big thing is the organization and all the paperwork that has to be done," VanCura said. "It's basically twice as much as it was last year. Just figuring out entries is taking a lot of time."
As for handling both teams in practice, VanCura has had to rely a lot more on his coaching staff. He said both teams break into groups by events and then work with their respective coaches.
To read more, see Thursday's Hastings Tribune or the Tribune e-edition.>>>
