Coach, McCarthy was my track coach in high school. He was also my sophomore biology teacher. While I was there, he received his share of ridicule and at times was controversial in an unorthodox way, like the time he named a sophomore, Jimmy Euell, to be a co-captain of the track team. I remember shortly thereafter a Norwich Bulletin sports writer crucifying him for that decision and calling him the “Innovator” in a rather derogatory manner. It didn’t bother me or my teammates one bit as we all seemed to believe that it was designed to be more of a motivation for Jimmy, than the other way around.
Jimmy Euell is arguably the greatest runner to come out of NFA. In his senior year of high school, he won the Class L, State Open, and New England titles in cross country. In track, he set the then state record in the mile (4:10.1) when he ran at the prestigious Golden West Invitational. After high school, he attended Mesa Jr. College in Arizona where he set the 800-meter school record of 1:49.1, which still stands today. He then attended the University of Kansas and ran for …show more content…
As the team ran along, Coach Timmons rode beside the course in his car offering advice and encouragement. Within a few miles, as he related to me, the lack of mileage over the summer began to take its toll and “I started to fall back.” After a few minutes, he had fallen well behind the others when the coach rode up next to him and said: “Get in.” Thinking that his workout was gratefully over, Coach Timmons drove up a few hundred yards ahead of the lead pack, pulled over to the side of the road and said: “Get out.” And, then something to the effect: “Don’t fall behind again or you’re walking back.” I think I would’ve like Coach
Jimmy Euell is arguably the greatest runner to come out of NFA. In his senior year of high school, he won the Class L, State Open, and New England titles in cross country. In track, he set the then state record in the mile (4:10.1) when he ran at the prestigious Golden West Invitational. After high school, he attended Mesa Jr. College in Arizona where he set the 800-meter school record of 1:49.1, which still stands today. He then attended the University of Kansas and ran for …show more content…
As the team ran along, Coach Timmons rode beside the course in his car offering advice and encouragement. Within a few miles, as he related to me, the lack of mileage over the summer began to take its toll and “I started to fall back.” After a few minutes, he had fallen well behind the others when the coach rode up next to him and said: “Get in.” Thinking that his workout was gratefully over, Coach Timmons drove up a few hundred yards ahead of the lead pack, pulled over to the side of the road and said: “Get out.” And, then something to the effect: “Don’t fall behind again or you’re walking back.” I think I would’ve like Coach