The whistle blows as the head girls track coach, Dan Oslage, is getting ready to watch his team at their meets this spring. Oslage always has high hopes for his girls, particularly seeing state in their future.

“Last year, having Jill Everett qualify for state as a junior, we’re looking for big things from her,” Oslage said. “We also took Ayanna Tommy to the indoor meet in Kentucky, which is a national meet and then she made the top times.”

To get the girls prepared for the upcoming season, Oslage and his assistant coaches made the decision to have those not in winter sports start practicing and conditioning for the upcoming season.

“We decided that since the IHSA says that we can start early January, we [would] start on the first day and use the cardio room and whatever space we [could to] build strength and help limit injury for the start of the season,” Oslage said.

As a coach, Oslage sees the change in his athletes and is excited for what the season has in store; from his runners to his throwers, he sees potential in each and every one. Oslage dedicates his time to making sure his athletes are prepared for their meets.

“As a coach we prepare the athletes for their events using drills, workouts and techniques to make sure each athlete is physically and mentally [ready],” Oslage said.

Oslage makes it a goal to be a leader and a teacher to his athletes and he wants to inspire them to do more than they think they can do. He always makes it a goal to be flexible and understand that each athlete is her own person.

“I think Coach Dan is a great coach because he pays attention to the team as a whole,” varsity girls track member and junior Noor Abdellatif said. “He looks into what we can do better individually and what role we each play on the team.”