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WESTFIELD, Ind. — A conversation with Coach Roger Wachtel.

Westfield Track & Field continues to raise the bar.

From school records and state qualifiers to one of the top 4×100 relay teams in Indiana, the Shamrocks have put together one of the strongest seasons in program history. Much of that success has come through years of growth under Head Coach Roger Wachtel, who has been part of the program since 2004.

What began as a program of approximately 70 athletes has grown into one of the largest and most complete teams in the state. Today, Westfield athletes are competing at a high level across every event area, from sprints and relays to distance, throws, jumps, and pole vault.

We recently caught up with Coach Wachtel to talk about the evolution of Westfield Track & Field, the accomplishments of this year’s team, and what it means to be a Shamrock.

Head Coach: Roger Wachtel (Head Coach/Head Sprints)

Assistant Coaches: Elvin Caldwell (Throws), Bill Craig (High Jump), Stephen Curry (Hurdles), Kyle DuVall (Distance), Anthony Hoosier (Sprints/Jumps), Matt Lemieux (Pole Vault), Josh Wachtel (Head Distance), Thomas Wachtel (Distance)

What has your experience been like coaching Track & Field at Westfield?

Roger Wachtel: It has been a learning experience, to say the least. I started as an assistant coach in 2004, and in addition to that, I have been the head boys coach and the head girls coach twice each. I moved back and forth as needed based on the experience of the other coaches in the program.

When we started, we had about 70 boys on the team, and this year we were at 160. I have evolved in the event areas that I am capable of coaching. I have coached distance, high jump, throws (briefly!), and now sprints. But the biggest change is managing a team with so many boys. Organizing practices and transportation for that many boys, and as well as dealing with the personal issues and problems of 160 boys is a lot more challenging than with 70.

And that is added to the simple fact that track and field is not one sport; it鈥檚 16 distinct disciplines, each with its own needs and specific coaching requirements. Plus, the indoor season (technically an unofficial season) is much longer and more involved (and has a few added distance events!) than it used to be.

Finally, as time goes on, fewer and fewer classroom teachers are interested in, or able to, coach track and field. We have great 鈥渓ay鈥� coaches from the community, but they have non-education jobs that don鈥檛 always mesh with a sport that practices between 4-6 every afternoon.

My job is to make all that work. Plus, coach my own event area.

How would you describe the Track & Field program?

Wachtel: For all the reasons above, it is constantly evolving. For years, we were known as a distance heavy program, and we are still an outstanding distance team, but we have worked very hard on our sprint program the last few years. We went from a team that had one athlete run faster than 11 seconds in the 100 dash to a team that has 4-5 athletes who are capable of doing that. It was once a great achievement to have a 4×100 relay make it to the state meet. Our current 4×100 is ranked No. 2 in the state.

But we also have had a discus thrower and a shot putter make it to the state meet. And the 3rd ever 1600 runner, and a pole vaulter. All three relays went to the Regional this year. In short, we are a much more complete team than we have ever been. That is due to the tireless and selfless work of the coaches on this staff, and the willingness of the athletes to put the necessary work into their pursuit of excellence.

The last piece of the puzzle is Josh Miracle. Before becoming our head football coach, Josh was the girls, then the boys, head coach. Having an exceptional football program led by a coach who understands the relationship between football and track is a huge advantage. If you look at the best track programs, and the best football programs, in Indiana, they almost all have a close relationship as we do.

What are some highlights from this season so far?

Wachtel: We have broken so many records this year and had so many unique accomplishments this year. We have broken and rebroken the 100 and 200 meter records this year, I鈥檝e lost count. We have sophomores going to state in the shot and pole vault. We have only the 3rd ever 1600m runner going to state. We have one of the best 4x100m relay teams in state history. We鈥檝e had 7 runners break 10:00 in the 3200, a real focus for us this year. We finished 2nd in the Regional by only 5 points with 2 scoring athletes not able to participate because of injury. We鈥檙e a really good team.

Are there any student-athletes you鈥檇 like to spotlight?

Wachtel: The state team is Caleb Terril, Logan Tuck, Cayden Gearhart, Olu Fapetu, Luke Moulder, Ryd Wallerstedt, Jack Eberhart, Brady Lemieux, Nathan McKeever, Deagan Imel, Carson Ackley, Caleb Haney, and Ryd Wallerstedt.

And we had two guys who likely would have been there but for injuries. Maison McCray may well have been state champ in the 200, and Austin Scheerer was our second great pole vaulter.

What does it mean to be part of Westfield鈥檚 Track & Field team?

Wachtel: It means a willingness to work hard and to always try to get better, no matter what your skill level or experience. It means risking the hard work to be great, contributing to our team culture, being a good all-around citizen and student, knowing you won鈥檛 be perfect every day, but tomorrow you get another chance. And I think we have a lot of fun. It鈥檚 a social sport, and we embrace that.

What advice would you give to students who may be interested in WHS Track & Field in the future?

Wachtel: Give it a try. Try it for two weeks, and see what we鈥檙e about. All you have to do, even if you know NOTHING about track and field, is to listen, and try, and commit to doing everything you can, every day, to get a little bit better.

How can the community support the team and help grow interest in Track & Field across the district?

Wachtel: Come to the meets. See what we鈥檙e about and how hard these kids try, and how good they really are. We mostly toil in anonymity, and would love to see you at a meet.

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