After hiring Kaylea Jachno as the director of cross country and track and field two years ago and Logan Wells as the head cross country coach and assistant track coach last January, the track and field coaching staff has gained five new faces for the upcoming season: graduate assistant Darrell Briggs and volunteer assistant coaches Ellie Braidic, Nathan Adams, John Bowman and Laura Bowman.
With one season under her belt, Jachno has made multiple improvements with both the cross country and track and field teams.
“The men and women’s cross country teams were academic all-Americans last year, we have increased the team size, we have implemented an amazing culture of champions, and we are competing better — not just as individuals but as a team,” said Jachno.
The process of hiring Wells as part of the staff took longer than expected, but ended up being worth the wait, Jachno said. She was especially interested in hiring someone she could work well with and shared her vision for the program.
“Logan is extremely committed to the success of our athletes, both in athletics and in the classroom,” said Jachno. “Logan plays off of my strengths and also seals and gaps on my weaknesses. He was a fantastic hire.”
Wells said he chose to come to Bluffton because of his respect for the athletes and the way they carried themselves. Wells was familiar with the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference because he was an athlete at Hanover College from 2011 to 2015.
“When the job came open, I felt as though I could build something here, and I was lucky enough to be given a chance,” said Wells.
Wells said he believes he has helped the team by encouraging the athletes to invest in each other and in team culture. The improved culture and the addition of new coaching staff with fresh perspectives are helping establish a foundation that will promote growth for the program.
“We all have different personalities, which keeps things fresh and helps us operate with different perspectives,” Wells said. “I might look at a situation and see one solution while coach Jachno or coach Briggs may see an entirely different one. It makes for some healthy debate, which helps us each grow as young coaches.”
Briggs, a graduate of Muskingum College, will coach the sprints, jumps and hurdles. Jachno was excited to gain Briggs on the coaching staff because of his background for the events but also because of his willingness and openness to learn and grow.
“Darrell has done an amazing job recruiting for us and so far filled the position nicely,” said Jachno. “He has now become an integral part of our recruiting and coaching process.”
Alongside Briggs as first-year coaches for the Bluffton track and field team are four volunteer assistant coaches. Ellie Braidic will work with pole vault, Laura Bowman will assist with sprints, and Nathan Adams and John Bowman will work with throwers.
Coach Briggs has already made an impact on his athletes by building on strengths to help them improve, said Dakota Frost, a senior distance runner.
“He takes his job seriously and will let you know if you are not doing something right,” Frost said. “Honesty is key when it comes to making us stronger because coach Briggs does not beat around the bush. He cares a lot about his athletes, and we care a lot about him too.”
For Jachno, there are a few team goals that she looks forward to.
“We are hoping for some more individual conference champions and top three placers, as well as sending a few individuals to nationals,” Jachno said. “When it comes to winning a conference championship we are still building numbers so that is not very likely, but the team as a whole will function as if we are going to win conference.”
Wells’ goals for the upcoming season are for all the athletes to give 100% academically, socially and athletically. He said he wants his athletes to take pride in their work by showing up with the intention to do their best and find joy in doing that.
As the track and field season approaches, the coaches also remind their athletes that this sport may not be the most glamorous, but it is one that rewards hard work unlike any other and that to become champions, they have to just “find a way to find it” when it gets tough.
