Everyone involved in the program does his or her part in helping Quaker Valley track and field maintain its powerful presence and elite status.
It starts with head coach Jared Jones, with an asterisk going to the QV middle school program.
“I think our coaching staff is fortunate to work with an amazing group of student-athletes,” Jones said. “It is very difficult to pinpoint the key to our success. The natural talent is clearly the biggest factor, but our coaches do a great job at identifying the talent and helping support the athletes to reach their potential.
“The part I’m most proud of that I think plays a big factor in what we’re able to do as a team is the positive environment our athletes and coaches have created. I think that environment starts with the athletes’ open mindset and willingness to do what is best for our team.”
Jones is assisted by John Doucette (jumps/hurdles), Ron Graf (distance), Kari Miller (throws), Paul Szuba (throws), Gage Galuska (sprints, jumps), and his wife, Laura Jones (pole vault).
“Their dedication, time and love for our student-athletes are the essence of what has allowed for the success of our track and field program,” Jones said.
Galuska is the newest member of the high school coaching staff. He was in his first year of coaching in the track and field program this spring.
“Personally, I think a big reason for our success is the culture the athletes have created with one another,” Galuska said. “They genuinely support each other and want to see everyone succeed, not just themselves. You can see how they build off each other’s energy, work ethic and confidence every day at practice and at meets.
“Coach Jones also does an outstanding job running organized, competitive practices with exceptional drills and workouts, which absolutely prepares the team to perform at a high level. But beyond the coaching, our athletes have bought into the mindset and standard of the program. They take pride in representing Quaker Valley and consistently push each other to improve. At Quaker Valley, winning and competing at a high level has become the expectation.”
But where or when did it all start? Graf and Doucette joined the QVTF braintrust a few years ago after serving as coaches in the QV middle school program.
“It’s the culture,” Graf said. “QVTF is a place where kids can find a place to belong. This culture is consistent across the middle and high school programs. Kids of all backgrounds and abilities are welcomed. Then, our core group of relentlessly dedicated leaders generate buy-in and mentor each next generation — seniors like Mia Gartley and Emma Currier on the girls side or River Capek and Jayden Juliano for the boys. After that, the winning takes care of itself.
“John Doucette brought this formula to QVMS a long time ago when he started that program. He handed the reins over to Ryan Kelly, who still runs that amazing program, then John joined Jared’s staff as an assistant with me in 2022. Since Jared’s been head coach, his top priority has been establishing the aforementioned culture and helping our core group of bought-in kids to sustain it.”
Doucette said the feeder system at the middle school level has proven to be a springboard for the Quakers’ amazing accomplishments.
“The success at the high school comes from the love of track that is nurtured by Ryan Kelly and the coaching staff at the middle school,” Doucette said. “The culture they have created is continued in the high school.”
Jones is thankful to have Kelly working diligently in the background as head coach of the middle school program.
“I believe our middle school program plays a major role in our high school success,” Jones said. “We are fortunate to have outstanding middle school coaches who are not only knowledgeable in their events but also understand how to effectively work with middle school students. Ryan Kelly is an exceptional track and field coach and educator.
“We also see tremendous participation at the middle school level, with roughly 25% of students involved in track and field. The staff does an impressive job managing these large numbers while continuing to encourage athletes and help them find success in the sport.”
Kelly also is in charge of the cross country program at QV along with Laura Jones and Graf.
“It is not just me as we have an amazing group of coaches at the middle school level,” Kelly said, “but the credit belongs to the student-athletes themselves. What has been especially rewarding to see is that, starting at the middle school level, our track and field student-athletes truly take ownership.
“They hold themselves accountable and consistently push to get the best out of themselves and their teammates each and every day. That kind of culture makes a big difference, and it is something they have built together over time.”
Some middle school athletes to watch in the not-to-distant future who will make their presence felt in the high school track and field program include:
On the boys side, Leo Tyson (800, 1,600, 3,200, 2-mile), Tharli Karto (200, 110 hurdles), Oliver Homer (pole vault), Edison Mauk (triple jump), Levi Cevarr (100, high jump), 1,600 relay runners Owen Sidani, Harry Ruiz, Mauk and Tyson and 3,200 relay team members Tyson, Sidani, Asa Grubbs and Xavier Osofsky.
On the girls side, Marley Schollaert (800, 1,600, 3,200), Mimi Anderson (100, 200, long jump), Willow Sadd (1,600 3,200), Brynn Raymond (400), Tyler Baker (high jump), Claire Jubeck (discus), Ruby Pocasangre (shot put), Brielle Breisinger (shot put), Ellis Weinheimer (pole vault), Heidi Doebler (pole vault) and 3,200 relay team members Sadd, Evelyn Jadlowiec, Caitlin Hart and Schollaert.
Doucette, who retired from a teaching career in 2018, has been involved in athletics in the school diistrict for a long time, coaching middle school track athletes for 24 years and cross country for 20.
“John has been a big part of Quaker Valley athletics for many years,” said Mike Mastroianni, the Quakers’ athletic director. “His dedication as our middle school head track coach for so many years has been the backbone of our rich track tradition.
“John was an outstanding teacher in the middle school for so many years and since his retirement, we have been fortunate to have him on our high school track coaching staff.”
Doucette also is well-known as for being a photography whiz with a focus on QV athletes.