King
03-14-2007, 11:18 AM
Source: www.pnj.com
Published: March 3, 2007
By Chuck Corder
Coach Gatlin.
Has a funny ring to it, doesn't it? Get used to it, though.
Woodham's track and field teams sure are.
Make no mistake, when the starting gun sounds at 9 a.m. today at Woodham for the third annual Running Wild/Justin Gatlin Track and Field Invitational, all eyes will again turn to the figure whose name is splattered in the event's title.
Only today, Justin Gatlin -- the Woodham alumnus and one-time world's fastest man -- will do more encouraging and mentoring as a Titans boys volunteer coach than sitting underneath a canopy signing autographs like the past two years.
"I wouldn't turn down anyone who wants me to sign shoes, a piece of paper, a bookbag," said Gatlin, who is assisting first-year coach David Graves. "But I am here, focused on (Woodham) athletes trying to get it done."
It has offered the perfect distraction for the embattled Gatlin, 25.
The triple-medalist from the 2004 Summer Olympics, including owning the 100 meters gold, has fallen under global scrutiny since last April's failed drug test that revealed the male hormone testosterone and its precursors in his system.
Gatlin, who maintains his innocence, received an eight-year ban from competition from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, pending an upcoming arbitration hearing before the board.
While unable to run, the sport Gatlin loves continues to be a refuge.
He is embraced by his alma mater, which is headed for closure at the end of the school year.
"I want to let Woodham High School reign one more time and uphold (Gatlin's) name," senior Josh Jones said. There's been so much negativity, that as a matter of fact I know, if we win, he'll leave something from his heart as much as we'll leaving out hearts."
Gatlin already has.
This "coach" thing seems to suit him just fine. Just ask junior Johnathan Sherman.
Sherman never competed in track and field before this year, ignoring the prodding from his family with the fear of failure holding him back.
"I didn't want to be last," he said. "I didn't want to be sorry."
That's all changed since Gatlin arrived. The world-class sprinter entered Sherman in the fastest heat of the 100 at a season-opening meet at Catholic on Tuesday.
Sherman was hesitant. The idea of disappointing not only his coach, but -- ahem -- an Olympic gold medalist, was frightening.
"I see you practice everyday," Gatlin encouraged. "If you're not third, you're usually first or second. Go make me proud."
Sherman did, pulling his arms as Gatlin instructed and racing to the finish line first. He enjoyed the moment with pumped fists and a million-dollar smile plastered across his face.
"See. Trust your coach," Gatlin said, beaming.
Like all the young faces donning Columbia blue today, Sherman hangs on Gatlin's every word.
Every bit of advice Gatlin freely offers enables Sherman to discover more confidence in this new world.
"I know I can do something in track. I know to do my best, I've gotta give all I got," Sherman said. "It's an inspiration to have (Gatlin) here and pushing me to do what I do best, and that's run."
And in those moments when his runners need an extra push, Gatlin heads to his classroom.
At practice earlier this week, Gatlin could be found enjoying a brisk jog behind Jones and in front of Sherman as the threesome trained for the 300 meters.
"It feels funny, you know, having the fastest man in the world," Jones said. "He's out here with you each day, teaching you everything you need to know in a sport he's done so much. You just try to soak in as much as you can."
Just as Gatlin tries to avoid putting pressure on his runners to meet or exceed standards he set, Graves wants the track to continue to be a safe haven for his star assistant.
"We don't put any pressure on him to be out here," Graves said of Gatlin. "Everything he does is volunteer. He just enjoys doing it."
Enjoys teaching his passion as much as he enjoys being a part of it.
"We try not to treat him like a star or the fastest man in the world. He's Coach Gatlin. You've got to treat him with respect. ... If he tells you what to do, you do it. He's no longer just Justin Gatlin. He's coach Gatlin."
Published: March 3, 2007
By Chuck Corder
Coach Gatlin.
Has a funny ring to it, doesn't it? Get used to it, though.
Woodham's track and field teams sure are.
Make no mistake, when the starting gun sounds at 9 a.m. today at Woodham for the third annual Running Wild/Justin Gatlin Track and Field Invitational, all eyes will again turn to the figure whose name is splattered in the event's title.
Only today, Justin Gatlin -- the Woodham alumnus and one-time world's fastest man -- will do more encouraging and mentoring as a Titans boys volunteer coach than sitting underneath a canopy signing autographs like the past two years.
"I wouldn't turn down anyone who wants me to sign shoes, a piece of paper, a bookbag," said Gatlin, who is assisting first-year coach David Graves. "But I am here, focused on (Woodham) athletes trying to get it done."
It has offered the perfect distraction for the embattled Gatlin, 25.
The triple-medalist from the 2004 Summer Olympics, including owning the 100 meters gold, has fallen under global scrutiny since last April's failed drug test that revealed the male hormone testosterone and its precursors in his system.
Gatlin, who maintains his innocence, received an eight-year ban from competition from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, pending an upcoming arbitration hearing before the board.
While unable to run, the sport Gatlin loves continues to be a refuge.
He is embraced by his alma mater, which is headed for closure at the end of the school year.
"I want to let Woodham High School reign one more time and uphold (Gatlin's) name," senior Josh Jones said. There's been so much negativity, that as a matter of fact I know, if we win, he'll leave something from his heart as much as we'll leaving out hearts."
Gatlin already has.
This "coach" thing seems to suit him just fine. Just ask junior Johnathan Sherman.
Sherman never competed in track and field before this year, ignoring the prodding from his family with the fear of failure holding him back.
"I didn't want to be last," he said. "I didn't want to be sorry."
That's all changed since Gatlin arrived. The world-class sprinter entered Sherman in the fastest heat of the 100 at a season-opening meet at Catholic on Tuesday.
Sherman was hesitant. The idea of disappointing not only his coach, but -- ahem -- an Olympic gold medalist, was frightening.
"I see you practice everyday," Gatlin encouraged. "If you're not third, you're usually first or second. Go make me proud."
Sherman did, pulling his arms as Gatlin instructed and racing to the finish line first. He enjoyed the moment with pumped fists and a million-dollar smile plastered across his face.
"See. Trust your coach," Gatlin said, beaming.
Like all the young faces donning Columbia blue today, Sherman hangs on Gatlin's every word.
Every bit of advice Gatlin freely offers enables Sherman to discover more confidence in this new world.
"I know I can do something in track. I know to do my best, I've gotta give all I got," Sherman said. "It's an inspiration to have (Gatlin) here and pushing me to do what I do best, and that's run."
And in those moments when his runners need an extra push, Gatlin heads to his classroom.
At practice earlier this week, Gatlin could be found enjoying a brisk jog behind Jones and in front of Sherman as the threesome trained for the 300 meters.
"It feels funny, you know, having the fastest man in the world," Jones said. "He's out here with you each day, teaching you everything you need to know in a sport he's done so much. You just try to soak in as much as you can."
Just as Gatlin tries to avoid putting pressure on his runners to meet or exceed standards he set, Graves wants the track to continue to be a safe haven for his star assistant.
"We don't put any pressure on him to be out here," Graves said of Gatlin. "Everything he does is volunteer. He just enjoys doing it."
Enjoys teaching his passion as much as he enjoys being a part of it.
"We try not to treat him like a star or the fastest man in the world. He's Coach Gatlin. You've got to treat him with respect. ... If he tells you what to do, you do it. He's no longer just Justin Gatlin. He's coach Gatlin."