The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast

00:24:57

#239: Gill1918 Presents Keinan Briggs “Stop Moving...

The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast ·

2026/10/06

If you're coaching long or triple jumpers who struggle with inconsistent approaches, missed boards, or fouling their biggest jumps, Coach Keinan Briggs' 1-Day Approach System breaks down the approach principles he uses to help jumpers develop a more consistent, repeatable runway. In this episode, Keinan shares a portion of his system to help coaches avoid a common coaching error. To get the full 1 Day Approach System, go o https://www.leapmentality.com/stop-fouling and enter the code: COACHO

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01:39:13

#383: Shahira Ehiemua-Ft Bend (TX) Marshall HS | From...

The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast ·

2026/10/05

Fort Bend Marshall girls head coach Shahira Ehiemua joins the Gill Connections Podcast to share her remarkable journey from running for Track Houston as a fourth grader to leading her alma mater to four UIL State Championships (so far!).Mike first met Shahira while hosting the Texas High School Coaches Association Clinic, where her presentation on culture became one of the most talked-about sessions of the week. In this conversation, Shahira shares the lessons she learned as a Marshall athlete, her

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00:12:03

#238: Gill1918 Presents Mike Cunningham "Do You Need...

The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast ·

2026/10/02

Do you really need a weather cover for your pole vault pit?If the pit lives outdoors, the better question may be: what are you willing to let happen to that investment without one?In this episode, Mike Cunningham explains why weather covers should be viewed as part of a pole vault pit’s maintenance plan—not simply as an optional accessory.🌧️ How rain and standing water can create larger problems over time☀️ Why UV exposure, dirt, debris, snow, and ice all matter🛡️ Why the cover protects the foam

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01:07:37

BONUS: Track Tribe with host Marc Jones-Building...

The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast ·

2026/10/01

How do you build a championship distance program starting from scratch?In this live session of The Track Tribe, we’re joined by Coach Shawn Siemers (2024–2025 High School Girls Sport Coach of the Year) to break down the exact process of developing elite endurance athletes from the ground up.Whether you’re taking over a fresh program, trying to get kids off the couch and onto the track, or looking to refine your athlete evaluation, this stream covers the practical blueprint for long-term distance

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00:12:54

#237: Gill1918 Presents Mike Cunningham "7 Pole Vault...

The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast ·

2026/09/30

Most pole vault safety problems do not begin with one dramatic failure.They begin with a small tear that gets ignored. A vault box collar that is never inspected. A concern that is noticed but never documented—or corrected.In this episode, Mike Cunningham breaks down seven inspection mistakes that can create unnecessary risk for coaches, schools, and athletes.🏃 Why a casual “it looks okay” is not a real inspection🔍 What coaches may miss when they only look at the vinyl📝 Why inspection logs

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00:14:33

#236: Gill1918 Presents Jeremy Fischer “Long Jump...

The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast ·

2026/09/29

Jeremy Fischer is an elite jumps coach and educator who has coached athletes to 19 Olympic and World Championship medals, plus 20 Para and Para World medals. This is part 1 of 4 in his series across the remainder of 2026 on coaching the horizontal jumps. Part 1 focuses on an overview of developing an effective LJ approach. Jeremy is the founder of Maximum Velocity Athletics and will host the live online Horizontal Jumps Masterclass on January 2-3, 2027 along with an incredible team of clinicians

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01:52:12

#382: Brett Halvaks-Cal Lutheran University | From...

The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast ·

2026/09/28

🎙️ On this episode of the Gill Connections Podcast, Mike Cunningham sits down with Brett Halvaks, Head Cross Country and Track & Field Coach at Cal Lutheran University.🏃 Brett's story isn't the typical track and field success story. He didn't grow up in youth running programs. He started cross country as a freshman in high school after getting cut from basketball. He even took a year away from the sport after arriving at college before eventually returning, finding his passion, and

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00:47:58

BONUS: BoSCA-Courtney Thomsen, Midland University |...

The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast ·

2026/09/25

An exceptional organization, the Business of Small College Athletics (BoSCA), holds an annual convention attended by some of the most passionate hard working adminstrators in the country. Coming together to share their experiences and knowledge, the BoSCA Convention features some of the top administrators around speaking on important topics that could provide value to our current slate of track/field coaches whether you have an interest in becoming an administrator one day or not.We hope these next

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00:14:48

#235: Gill1918 Presents Mike Cunningham "The 5...

The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast ·

2026/09/24

Most schools purchase a new pole vault pit only once every 10 to 20 years. Unfortunately, that lack of buying experience can lead to preventable—and expensive—mistakes.In this episode, Mike Cunningham breaks down the five biggest mistakes schools make when selecting a pole vault landing system:• Choosing the cheapest pit instead of the best long-term value• Buying only for the program’s current needs• Assuming every pole vault pit is constructed the same way• Ignoring the total cost of ownership•

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00:13:21

#234: Gill1918 Presents Mike Cunningham "Can a Pole...

The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast ·

2026/09/23

Can an aging pole vault pit be repaired—or is it time to replace it?Many common problems, including small vinyl tears, worn hardware, damaged weather covers, and certain top-pad issues, can often be repaired. But widespread foam deterioration, significant water intrusion, compliance concerns, or several major problems occurring together may indicate that replacement is the better investment.In this episode, Mike Cunningham discusses:• Which pole vault pit problems are commonly repairable• The

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00:17:52

#233: Gill1918 Presents Cassandra Goodson “XC Race...

The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast ·

2026/09/22

Cassandra draws on her 19 years as an NCAA D1 XC/TF Coach and her personal experience as a D1 athlete to share lessons learned about cross country race strategy and the benefits of early preparation. Today Cassandra is a recruiting mentor for JP Coaching Collective who helps athletes and families navigate the recruiting process. Connect with Cassandra on IG (@cassandra.goodson).If you've got a topic to share with our youth audience, contact David Mitchell to learn more. He'd love to hear

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01:44:03

#381: Jordon Andreassen-University of Missouri | From...

The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast ·

2026/09/21

Most coaches don't start their careers thinking they'll become college track & field coaches.In Episode 381 of the Gill Athletics Connections Podcast, Mike Cunningham sits down with University of Missouri Assistant Coach Jordon Andreassen to discuss her journey from a five-sport athlete at a small Iowa high school to coaching combined events and pole vault at one of the nation's premier SEC programs.Jordon shares how an injury at Iowa State unexpectedly introduced her to coaching,

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00:45:02

BONUS: BoSCA-Adam Schemm, UW-Parkside | The Road...

The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast ·

2026/09/18

An exceptional organization, the Business of Small College Athletics (BoSCA), holds an annual convention attended by some of the most passionate hard working adminstrators in the country. Coming together to share their experiences and knowledge, the BoSCA Convention features some of the top administrators around speaking on important topics that could provide value to our current slate of track/field coaches whether you have an interest in becoming an administrator one day or not.We hope these next

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00:12:10

#232: Gill1918 Presents Mike Cunningham "What is the...

The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast ·

2026/09/17

The price on the quote tells you what a pole vault pit costs today. It does not tell you what the school may spend throughout its life.In this Gill1918 Project episode, Mike Cunningham explains how coaches and athletic directors can evaluate the total cost of owning a pole vault pit.💵 Initial purchase and accessory costs☀️ Weather protection and storage🔧 Maintenance, repairs, and replacement parts🛡️ Warranty coverage and customer support📅 Expected lifespan and cost per year of serviceThe

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00:10:45

#231: Gill1918 Presents Mike Cunningham "Should I Buy...

The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast ·

2026/09/16

Should your school purchase the smallest legal pole vault pit—or invest in a larger landing system?In this Gill1918 Project episode, Mike Cunningham explains why meeting NFHS or NCAA minimum requirements is only one part of the decision.🏫 When a minimum-compliant pit may be the right choice📈 When program growth makes a larger pit worth considering🏟️ How facility space and competition plans affect the decision💰 Why coaches must consider the entire project budget🔭 How to purchase for both today’s

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00:12:08

#230: Gill1918 Presents Dr. Alli Young "Successfully...

The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast ·

2026/09/15

Sports Psychiatrist Dr. Alli Young helps parents coaches, and sports organizations navigate the mental side of sport. In this episode, Dr. Alli highlights three potential issues when coaching or parenting children with ADHD and provides clear action steps you can take to overcome those issues together. Follow Dr. Alli on IG (@sidelinepsych) for other helpful solutions.If you've got a topic to share or if you have a request, contact David Mitchell. He'll be glad to hear from you!

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01:50:37

#380: Maryn Lowry-Northwestern University | Getting...

The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast ·

2026/09/14

Coach Maryn Lowry joins Mike Cunningham on the Gill Connections Podcast to share her coaching journey from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Northwestern University.Maryn discusses her path from running with the Bond Hill Flyers to competing at Iowa State and the University of Montana, where an injury ultimately opened the door to coaching. Along the way, she shares the lessons learned from mentors like Andrea Grove-McDonough, Gary Wilson, and Northwestern Head Coach Jill Miller.The conversation explores why

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00:37:23

BONUS: BoSCA-Jordan Burbank, Texas A&M-San Antonio |...

The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast ·

2026/09/11

An exceptional organization, the Business of Small College Athletics (BoSCA), holds an annual convention attended by some of the most passionate hard working adminstrators in the country. Coming together to share their experiences and knowledge, the BoSCA Convention features some of the top administrators around speaking on important topics that could provide value to our current slate of track/field coaches whether you have an interest in becoming an administrator one day or not.We hope these next

en

00:14:28

#229: GIll1918 Presents Mike Cunningham "What Makes...

The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast ·

2026/09/10

At first glance, most pole vault pits look remarkably similar.Underneath the top pad, however, are dozens of engineering decisions that can affect safety, performance, maintenance, durability, and long-term value.In this Gill1918 Project episode, Mike Cunningham explains what really makes one pole vault pit different from another, including:🧱 How foam layers balance landing comfort and support🌧️ Why vinyl construction and weather protection matter↕️ How reversible, edge-to-edge top pads distribute

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00:14:18

#228: GIll1918 Presents Mike Cunningham "What Does a...

The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast ·

2026/09/09

How much does a pole vault pit warranty really protect—and what could still leave your program responsible for an expensive repair or replacement?In this Gill1918 Project episode, Mike Cunningham explains why coaches should never compare landing-system warranties based on the number of years alone.Mike breaks down:🛡️ What pole vault pit warranties typically cover🚫 The damage warranties commonly exclude📉 How prorated warranties lose value over time♾️ What “lifetime warranty” may actually mean🚚

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