OCR Text |
Show JUNE 30, 1987 L. Pointer s Jmst believe in yourself By against the toughest shot putters in the state, maybe against the tough-es- t weve ever had in high school, but he believed in himself and finished very respectably that year. Terry Kealamakia was the same way early in his career at Layton. All he heard about was Larry Helms of Roy, but he told me that one day he was going to beat him and he did. Another classic example of someone believing in themselves. KEITH DUNCAN LAYTON Theres at least one high school coach who sincerely believes that 50 percent of winning is just believing in yourself." Former Layton High track coach Russ Jones says that kind of belief is exactly what helped propel Robert Porter and the rest of the 1987 track team on to state championship heights back in May. Maybe in college and the pros its different," said Jones, But in high school, kids there can be winners if they just believe in themselves. And it doesnt matter what sport youre talking about. Porter, who graduated soon after the coveted state championship was declared, admits about the same kind of thing that his former coach talks about. It all got started when we were sophomores. We had a guy who believed in us, so we started believ-inin ourselves. Of course it helped that we had a little success, g confidence is a key to believing in discus yourself, said the 1987 champion. Jones says he doesnt know where the believing factor came from. He honestly said, I dont know where it came from, but Im sure a big part of it has to come from the leader. I know for years at Layton, Id always bring the kids together on the Thursday before a big meet and get down in the trenches with them. In other words, wed really talk about what it was going to take to beat the other guy and wed map out our game plan. It wasnt a 4-- A brainwash session, but sincerely was a time when we all got together and decided just what we wanted from outselves. If I could just give them a thought to go home and sleep on, then I felt Id accomplished something. Its a matter of setting your priorities and goals," Porter said, As sophomores we really wanted to win the region championship and that kind of desire only got stronger until we came away with the state title as seniors. The belief in ourselves was so strong that many of us on the track team are now looking forward to next month and next year. For me, it was looking toward a collegiate career in the decathlon at Weber State College. Right after the state meet, I was plotting my strategy to condition for the decathlon. Porter will take things in stride over the next four years, but the Layton High discus record holder admits he has a desire to compete in the 1992 Olympics. The desire hasnt become that serious yet, but its definitely on his mind. Porter was outstanding in the discus and shot put during his career at Layton High. But at 190 pounds, he felt his size might hinder him from competing day in and day out with athletes much larger than he. At Weber State, Porter will compete with the Wildcat track team with partial scholarship from the first. As an event, the decathlon has not been as popular as it has been in the past in the Big Sky Conference. But Porter wants to change that trend. 6-- 0, On the athletic field, Laytons Robert Porter captured the state discus crown for the Lancers who won the state The other side of Porter, who will pursue his college education and competition at Weber State College this fall. 4-- A title. Those kinds of meetings have been going on for four of five years now. One thing that came out in our last meeting of the year, was the And as it turned out, all the marbles rode on how well Layton would do in the final race. Matt Denning, Calvin Biesecker, Paul Kealamakia and William Reid were ready for that race, even before the serious assumption that the state meet would come down to the mile relay. It was bred into their minds that they had to be mentally ready for the last event of the day," said Jones. first preliminary race was run. You just dont have to have a room full of extremely talented athletes to win everytime, said Jones, Take for instance Steve Ford a few years ago. He was going Jack enjoys kids and believes in their growth and developement By KEITH DUNCAN Scott is 8 years old and is the Layton takes pride in their reyoungest member of his White Sox creation program, said SenninSummertime is e LAYTON team in the Layton ger, They provide all kinds of kids time. City Recreation Department. opportunities that perhaps a small At least that is the way Jack The two brothers adore their community wouldnt normally be summer baseball activities and able to provide. The program approaches it. There is plenty to keep Sennin-ge- r more importantly like the fact dad builds a competitive spirit for the busy from September to May, and mom are always there. If Jack yourth and it helps to have some of mostly a busy teaching schedule at isnt coaching the team, which he the best coaches Ive seen helping Bountiful High School and the presently does with the White Sox, the kids. The program just strives to give added responsibility of coaching then hes sitting in the stands lendboys and girls swimming and ing support throughout. Mrs. Sen- everyone a positive experience. And when the summer is over, ninger has become a pretty good boys and girls tennis. But when his two sons, David scorekeeper;riot many mothers in Senninger jumps from the skillet and Scott and daughter, Nancy, town can record a baseball game in into the fire as one of Bountiful hear the last bell at school, there a scorebook like she can. Highs most active teachers and For me, there arent too many coaches. just arent many fathers in town that dedicate the summer to their things in life that are as fulfilling for From day number one hes ina father as to see growth and dekids like Jack does. volved in early morning swimming velopment in his children. It beevery other day and every night is What the heck though. Sennin-ge- r comes even more special when you on the tennis court. When girls loves it. The boy in him jumps have a direct involvement with that tennis wraps up after UEA, then out and mingles with the youngest. development. You see it spur off swimming goes morning and night that carries over as the team jumps into the middle daughinto Nancy is the ter. She swims with the Layton into other areas that you may or of their schedule. Usually theres a Surfers and balances out life a bit may not be directly involved with. k break after swimming, while practicing vocal and piano Just like Dave, our oldest boy. but it quickly warms up again with hes picked up in boys tennis that finishes off the The lessons. Senninger, who loves athletics sports has carried over into school year. and has made them an integral part where hes now striving for excellDuring the days Jack instructs of his family members lives, feels ence there. health classes and even finds time the other talents that Nancy and Sports and athletics dont turn to lead some drivers education her mother practice on are just as the world, but at least they can help classes after school. it. special and will build selfAmazingly, this guy has been esteem like athletics do. Senninger appreciates the doing this sort of thing for 15 years old, is comcoaching experience hes had both now. David, the his in a tender has in the school district and with the but place petitive Swimming has perhaps been the Layton Recreation Department. heart, none the less. most successful experience for Senninger, though he loves tennis with a passion. During the 1970s the Bountiful program always remained in the Top 10 in state but to begin the 80s has slipped back somewhat. Senninger says the fierce and competitive fight for swim time is always a tough one. The more time you dedicate toward the sports, the more success youll have. Lately Ive had a coaching period installed and that minor-leagu- Sen-ning- er self-estee- m Bountiful High counselor and coach Jack Senninger and his wife JoAnn with members two-wee- of their family. The popular coach guides swimmers and tennis players for the Braves. self-estee- m has done a lot to give swimming the time it deserves. Another factor to be considered is the fact the school is small schools, compared to many and there just arent enough athletes to spread among the numerous sports, Senninger said. This past spring, Jacks boys tennis team finished a very respectable sixth in state. Perhaps the only teams that finished ahead of the Braves were teams comprised of club players, or kids who play the sport year round. Our school might get a player or two who come around every so But for often, that play the most part, its taking the seasonal player and working hard to improve his skills with what time we have, said Senninger. PORT! News and Photographs year-roun- d. Due Wed. 6:00 P.M. Are you receiving payments from the sale of your home? Would you like CASH today instead of payments? m BUY MORTGAGES Highest Prices Paid nationwide First Fidelity Mortgage Corp Salt Lake City, Utah 278-333- 0 1 -- - Please Call Today rixniTrirHin r r GARAGES F AMR. Y ROOM CARPORTS - KITCHEN REMODELS - CONCRETE DRIVES -- PATIOS GENERAL CONTRACTORS LAYTON BUILDERS INC. RESIDENTIAL - COMMERCIAL - INDUSTRIAL Custom Horn Budding DESIGNING - PLANNING A COMPLETE CUSTOM ALTERATIONS PHONE ACAPULCO 4-- A ar ADD ON ROOMS BASEMENT FINISHED ROOFS-NE- W A OLD aifli m raiuiiraiiik'j mi w is REMODELING SERVICE 544-412- 8 Darrell Blackwell P.O. Box 1 77 Layton 30 years Experience HOTEL ONLY a Ifil jk1 Fta Ak rarr clam package Tmc md Ardrr OUmpmprnwm4 PtaAfrFm T, hi Fa. Fte II V II. bw to Tm E TAbUAt AliO Mfti diMnM tartto tlM pm p RANDALL TRAVEL siiriirairjiMiiiniiiiriiiiiiriii Savings time at Greg |