TRACK IS A GRIND. YOU HAVE TO BE TOUGH MENTALLY TO RUN, JUMP AND THROW AT THE ELITE LEVEL.
King's Ridge track coach Ray Lian was an elite thrower in California growing up. The sport then brought him to the University of Houston, where he competed in javelin at the NCAA level. He stayed in the sport, coaching in college at Brenau University.
"I fell in love with track in high school," he said. "I competed in college and then coached at the college level, but I really enjoy coaching younger athletes. So, when this position opened open, I jumped at it. I love being able to connect with high school students and help them become better in something that I'm passionate about."
As he begins building his track program at King's Ridge, Lian has a sound plan.
"Track can be tough," he said. "It's a team sport but is also very individualistic. Being able to corral and motivate every aspect of track is hard. From a track perspective, the most important thing is getting the technical work in. Yes, everything is important like the weight room and endurance, but having the technical foundation allows them to excel as they grow bigger and stronger."
Lian is excited about his future Tigers.
"Our teams are growing, and I am getting a lot of multi-sport athletes coming out," he said. "We are really balanced on the boys' side throughout all of the events. We are young and talented. The potential is really promising. "
On the girls' side, our distance program is really strong, and we have a pole vaulter Oli Clark, who could win state before she graduates. We have some really elite athletes on our girls' team."
The future is bright on the King's Ridge oval as Lian coaches track the right way. It's all about the fundamentals.
