2008 marathon Olympian Magdalena Lewy-Boulet, World Championship Bronze Medalist Alysia Johnson and sub 4 minute milers Richie Boulet, Garret Heath and Mark Matusak, all members of the Bay Area Track and Field Club, presented a clinic for youth and high school athletes on March 3rd in Cougar Stadium.

“The clinic was comprised of five stations, each emphasizing different aspects of fitness and recovery,” said Track coach Charles Woolridge.

According to Woolridge, “Many youth athletes seemed excited to work with Olympic athletes.”

The high school athletes were impressed by Johnson’s demonstration of speed, he explained.
 Johnson, who ran the fastest 800m in the world in 2010, is currently preparing to contend for an Olympic team berth.  The USA track & field Olympic trials will be held in Eugene at the end of June.

Woolridge said, “the clinic was designed to show athletes the ancillary drills and exercises necessary for health.”

Junior Adam Hathaway said that although the demonstrations and tips were mostly review, “it helped to hear it from professionals.”  The effort and precision with which the elite level athletes approach every aspect of their training and recovery was impressive.

The clinic also helped the athletes with goal setting and focus, explained junior Cameron Sun. Sun added that the participants learned a lot about stretching.

Woolridge hopes to continue the clinic on an annual basis.  He said, “We’ve hosted it the last two years and hope to continue our relationship with the Bay Area Track club and work with them on future events.”