coach reac es Sophomore Sarah Reeser and senior Britney Copeland share the inside lane at the Harding Invitational April 9. Reeser's best events were the 800 and 3,000 meter runs, while Copeland's success was found in the 5,000 meter run. (Photo by Daniel Dubois) Fiilish Line Cross country and track coach Bryan Phillips retired and began teaching full time in the kinesiology department this fall. Phillips' motivation for the move from coach to full-time teacher, which was made possible by Dr. Karyl Bailey's retirement, was the opportunity to be able to spend more time with his wife and children. Phillips coached cross country and track for 11 years before retiring. Phillips was highly regarded by the team. "He was disciplined, held himself very well and showed integrity," junior Gary Luna said . "He had very strong beliefs fol– lowed by action. II. Team members also appreciated Phillips' good attitude. "He expected the best, but he had realis– tic expectations of the team." Luna said. "Other coaches I've had before have gone nuts because their athletes didn't perform, but he always kept a good attitude." Phillips' talent as a coach was recognized not only by students, but also by his peers. During his time as coach , Phillips earned seven coach of the year awards, four for the Gulf South Conference and three for the "E very race I begin by warming up with three miles. I then stretch and watch who I am up against. I always say a prayer to keep first things first and then I finish by running some sprints." •• 236 athletics South Region. He also coached more than 20 All-American a thletes. Phillips' hard work, combined with the abilities of the tra ck team, led to an impres– sive final season in the spring of 2002. Se– nior David Scharff, juniors Jacob Rotich and Tyler Kemmerer a ll qualified and ran in the NCAA Division II Outdoor Na tional Track Meet. Rotich set the school record for the 10,000 meter run and Kemme rer set the school record for the 400 meter run. Senior Hanna Ritakallio qualified and ran in the NCAA Division II Indoor National Track Meet. Athletes also earned recognition for aca– d emic performance. Senior Scott Penick and Kemmerer were named to the 2002 Verizon . Academic Men's Track and Field All-Dis– trict VI Team. The Division 11 Outdoor National Track Meet in May 2002 was Phillips' last meet as head coach. Steve Guymon, former head cross country and track coach at Cordova High School in Cordova, Tenn. and former assistant coach at the University of Kansas, took over the teams in August 2002. ~MarinaShannon 'f:rack (Photo by Daniel Dubois) Indoor Meets Jayhawk Invitational Lawrence, Kan. Mule Relays Warrensburg, Mo. LSU Invitational Baton Rouge, La. NCAA Division II Nationals Boston, Mass. Outdoor Meets UALR Invitational Russellville, Ark. Big Cat Classic Texas Relays Harding Invitational John McDonnell Invitational Kansas Relays Drake Relays UTA Open ACUOpen NCAA Division II Nationals Memphis, Tenn. Austin, Texas Searcy, Ark. Fayetteville, Ark. Lawrence, Kan. Des Moines, Iowa Arlington, Texas Abilene, Texas San Angelo, Texas (Photo by Daniel Dubois)
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