- By Dan Veaner
- Sports
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Track & Field
Carolyn Ferguson and Todd Howell are coaching the boys and girls Track & Field teams. Events include sprint and distance events that range from 100 meters to 1600 meters, hurdles events, field events like shot put, discus, high jump, long jump, pole vault and triple jump. Redmond says they'll be doing a steeple chase competition this weekend, where runners jump over barriers. "We're one of the few schools that offer a steeple chase at our Invite," he says.
"The Kick-Start Classic Invite is something that we started about seven years ago," Redmond explains. "It's the first meet of the year for most local schools. It's usually the first or second weekend in April. Anywhere between 15-18 schools are coming to Lansing Saturday morning." The event runs all day with teams competing in all events. Redmond says it's a low-pressure event in which coaches can evaluate the teams and give the kids a chance to participate. Awards and ribbons are given out at the end of the day. "It is our biggest track event of the year," he says.
Redmond is also looking forward to hosting the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life in July. "I think it's a great cause," Redmond says. "They're very sharp people who are organizing the event. They're talking about bands and they're going to put tents up on the field. It's a big event."
This will be Lansing's first time hosting the event, which has been held at the Ithaca High School track until now. With that track under repair the Lansing staff is doing everything it can to make sure the large event goes without a hitch. "(Building and Grounds Supervisor) Glen Fenner's been great working with these people," says Redmond. Asked whether Lansing kids will be involved, he says, "I think we'll have some teams. I don't know officially, but I'm sure our kids will be involved. And adults. Adults will be more than welcome."
Golf
John Kotmel is coaching the co-ed golf team. Redmond says the team has an excellent chance this year, because of a very strong returning lineup. "John Duthe is the reigning state champion, and that's all kids in New York State that golf, not just kids in schools our size. John is the defending champ and we're expecting good things from him. We have Alex Park, who also returns as one of the top kids in the State. It's very unusual that one team has two potential state champions."
About 12 matches are scheduled for the season including a couple of new tournaments that have been added this year including one at Whitesborough, near Utica. Players will qualify for the championship at a sectional match. "The championships are at our home course at Cornell University," says Redmond, "so we feel like there's a slight advantage there. Our kids play that course every day. When you compete for a state championship on a course you are familiar with, we feel it gives us an advantage."
Tennis
Tennis coach Cindy Wright has already begun the season with one win against Newark Valley and losing one to Waverly.
"We have large numbers of kids this year playing tennis," Redmond says. "It's good to see. We've built that program in the past few years where participation is pretty high." Almost 30 students have joined the tennis team this year. Redmond says Lansing is usually within the top three or four schools in the conference.
New lights were installed on the Lansing tennis courts about a week and a half ago, to accommodate the long, late matches.
Softball
Adam Heck is coaching girls softball. "Adam has done very well for us," Redmond says. "He has been our boys soccer coach now for years and also our boys basketball coach. He's been our softball coach for a few years now, too. Coaching three varsity sports is a challenge for anybody, because it's a tremendous time commitment. He's an excellent coach."
Last year the team won the Division III IAC championship. "It's a very competitive team," Redmond says. He attributes this to the preparation players get at Lansing Recreation Department's softball program. "It's a very strong youth program," he says. "That's where it all starts with our softball and baseball program. The involvement of the parents and the kids is tremendous in this community. That's a credit to the whole community."
A number of key players are returning this year. Redmond explains, "Pitching is essential. Randy Lynn Randall returns as our pitcher and I think they're going to do very well. They're returning several key players on that team."
Baseball
Redmond himself coaches boys baseball. This is his 22nd year as the varsity baseball coach. "It's still fun. I enjoy going out there at 3 o'clock every day. It's one of the highlights of my day."
"We return several key players to a team that was 23 and 4, won the IAC championship last year," he says. "We had won four straight sectional championships until last year. We feel like there is a nucleus there so the kids can be successful." 18 players are on the team this year. "That's probably the largest roster I've ever had. The kids have been working hard. they have a great attitude. The seem to want to learn."
"Baseball's one of those games that's been in me since I was a little kid. It's a love of mine. And I think more important than the sport it's the kids. As long as the kids are willing to commit and to work hard I'll work with them."
All in all Lansing can look forward to a good season with many returning players and great coaches. "We've already had a successful start with most of our teams," Redmond concludes. "We look for our kids to have a good experience. In the end winning and losing won't be what they remember as much as the experience they had."
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