Observing closely, the coach studies how the athlete spins before ripping the discus away from his body. It cuts the wind as it soars before slamming into the grass. It is several meters short of the 20-meter goal. 

Despite the good throw, he knows how to make it even better. After careful coaching and eagerly demonstrating to the athlete how to better center his body mass, he watches the discus be flung once again. This time it lands just inches shy of that elusive 20-meter mark.

Brandon Davis is the new field events coach for U-High and began working with the track teams in January. He is the first designated coach for field athletes.

According to Mr. Davis, U-High’s field team competes in the long jump, high jump, triple jump, shot put and discus. Occasionally he assists with the sprinting events as well.

He wanted to become a field coach after not having the same opportunities in his own high school track and field career.

“To come here and be that new field events coach and help give people guidance and the events that I wish I had a little bit more guidance is just a really, really good feeling,” he said.

According to Mr. Davis, U-High’s field team has undergone a recent expansion and has focused on getting more people to participate in field events.

“We’re kind of in that building foundation phase, so just building up interest of having people experience different events,” he said.

Mr. Davis says there are eight or nine athletes who do field events this season.

Junior Jace Chen is the head discus thrower and has been on the team for two years. He believes that Mr. Davis initiates a vibrant and motivating environment for current and potential team members.

“He has very positive vibes. He’s energetic and gets people to participate,” Jace said. “He’s pretty warm around incoming freshmen or sophomores that want to join track, and encourages everyone to do their best.”

Track and field coach Austin Warner notices Mr. Davis’s enthusiasm and the improvements students have made this season.

“He is somebody who puts in a lot of energy,” he said. “He’s very passionate about the sport and is helping other student athletes achieve results.”

Mr. Warner acknowledges that Mr. Davis’s coaching has been essential for the growing success of U-High’s field team.

“A lot of students are hitting personal bests as the weeks go on,” he said, “which is great.”