Last year, a new addition was added to the school staff in the science department: Kyle Francis. Francis teaches physics at the freshman and AP level, while helping the school in track and field as the long and triple jump coach. Francis has been around track and field his whole life, and being a member of the coaching staff at Antioch Community High School continues to make his love for the sport grow stronger.

When Francis was in high school, he ran the 100, 200 and 400 meter dashes. Francis fell in love with sport because it is not only an individual sport, but a team sport as well. Another reason Francis loves the sport more and more everyday is because there are things that he now realizes as a coach that he didn’t as an athlete.

“I never realized how much goes into coaching and actually participating in long, triple, high jump or even pole vault,” Francis said. “I also enjoy watching and coaching the distance races, 3200 meter relay, the 800, 1600, 3200 meter runs. I never realized how much strategy goes into these types of races.”

Francis first started his coaching career at Wauconda High School four years ago. When Francis first became a coach he was looking to be surrounded by the sport again, but did not realize how much of a time commitment track and field is. Despite the difficulties, Francis does not regret becoming a coach because of how rewarding it can be. According to Francis, some of the most rewarding things for him are the connections he is able to make with his student-athletes outside of the classroom. As a coach, he is able to connect with students in a way that teachers can’t. Francis hopes to be the coach that makes athletes think differently and perform to their best ability.

“I want my athletes to have fun and not see running as a punishment,” Francis said.

Francis loved being an athlete and loves being a coach as well. Although, he has only been a coach for four years, he has already had athletes compete at the State meet. Francis loves watching his athletes perform at their best and seeing them grow. Francis looks forward to his future as a teacher and a coach.