Behind our strong Girls Varsity Track and Field team are the coaches who worked harder than ever to make the team as successful as it is—while juggling more than just workouts and meets.
Coach Julie Alano, the Varsity Girls’ Track Coach, is at the heart of the program. She works tirelessly with the girls to train and prepare them for the season.
Mr. Self shared his experience working alongside Coach Alano, saying, “It’s the best. Her passion and knowledge of track and field are off the charts. She makes a large team feel small—like a family.”
Coach Bratton, our long jump coach, has nearly 31 years of coaching experience. He helped launch the Fall Creek Intermediate Program in 1999 and ran it until 2008. He’s coached at HSE from 2009–2013 and again from 2019 to now.
When asked about working with seniors, Coach Bratton said, “Honestly, I love working with seniors. They get it! They realize it’s their time to shine. I’ve seen some of the greatest performances come from seniors in their final year.”
Coaching seniors can be both emotional and rewarding. You’ve seen their full journey—from day one to their final lap. You witness all their ups and downs.
Senior EJ Shults shared a moment that stuck with her: “Coach Bratton told me right before I was about to jump, ‘Where’s the old EJ at?’ I don’t know why, but that’s stuck with me. It helps me get out of my head.”
Motivation is one of the most powerful tools a coach can offer. Athletes sometimes doubt themselves, especially in high-pressure moments. Having a coach who’s not just a trainer, but also a source of emotional support, can make all the difference.
Coach Marly Bird, our throwing coach, also brings that special energy to the team. Senior Mame Fall reflected, “Whenever we had music playing on a nice day, Coach Bird would always be the first one dancing. Now, whenever I hear music, I want to start dancing just like her.”
Track may be about running, throwing, jumping, and training—but there’s always room for those fun, lighthearted moments.
Coach Timmons is our long and high jump coach, who has been coaching for five years, she understands both the joys and the challenges of guiding a team. Working with seniors is something she enjoys because of the leadership they bring. Their experience allows them to serve as role models for the younger athletes. But even experienced athletes need encouragement.
“The hardest part,” Coach Timmons admits, “is trying to keep them motivated—especially through Spring Break and the end of the season, when senioritis really kicks in.”
Coach Herman, our distance coach, has also built strong bonds with his athletes—especially this year’s senior class. For him the easiest part of working with this group is the trust and understanding they’ve built over time
“This is my fourth-year coaching, which means the seniors were freshmen when I started,” he shared. “It’s been a journey watching them grow—not just as runners, but as people.”
During the season, you train with sweat and sometimes tears. You win some races and lose others. But every moment helps you grow. You learn. You get better. And your coaches are there every step of the way.
As the season comes to an end and seniors prepare for the next chapter, it’s not just a goodbye—it’s a thank you. A chance to reflect on how far you’ve come.
Coach Bratton put it best:
“I’m proud of the effort they’ve put into this program. Seeing seniors break school and meet records never gets old. I love it! HSE Girls Track has a tradition of great senior leadership.”
That leadership and commitment have left a mark that future athletes will follow.
Coach Herman shares that his final message, “would be to complement each of them on how much they’ve grown as runners and as competitors. I hope that they each continue running, even if just “for fun”, for the rest of their lives.”
And Coach Timmons leaves the team with these words to carry forward:
“Remember to always be yourself. Leave people and places better than you found them. And live life out loud and on purpose!”
