Erba Steps Down As Track & Field Coach
October 6, 2016 at 4:29 p.m.
By Staff Report-
Erba cited the desire to focus on his own competitive running career as the reason for stepping down.
Erba took over the program as head coach in 2003-2004 school year, and the number of accomplishments are staggering:
• 11 Northern Lake Conference titles
• 10 sectional championships (the last ten years)
• 6 regional titles (including the last five)
• 44 State individual qualifiers
• 22 state relay qualifiers
• 7 state individual finalists
• 9 state relay finalists
• 4 Indiana All-Star nominations
• 11 Academic All-State selections
• 53 consecutive NLC dual meet win streak (active)
• 111-20 overall record
Add to that the size of the team grew from 50 members in 2004 to almost 90 last spring, and you see the impact Erba has had at WCHS.
“There are two main reasons for me stepping down from the WCHS girls track & field head coaching position,” said Erba. “After a 17-year break from seriously competing in triathlons and running events, I was pleased and even shocked about how ‘right’ it felt to get back into racing again. As my fitness levels and racing performances improved, I felt more inspired to invest all that I can during these next few years. Earning USA Triathlon All-American status this season after such a long layoff is exciting and I want to see how far I can go with this.
“I know myself well enough that I cannot give 100 percent in multiple areas and I do not want to give 80 percent attention to coaching and racing and be unhappy on both fronts. The girls and program deserve an enthusiastic and devoted coach, and I can no longer give that to them at the level I believe is needed for Lady Tiger track & field.
“And second, most coaches have this realization when their children are younger (I did as well), but I am seeing how differently our family will look in the next 18-24 months as all of our children will be out on their own. I want to take full advantage of that time we have together.
“I am most proud of the girls and what they have risked and how they have pushed themselves to achieve such success. As winning streaks emerged and titles started to stack up, we always went into each season with a clean slate and a new sense of motivation to perform our best for THAT season. We did not use the past as pressure to perform; we used it as motivation to take care of business in the moment and let the results come naturally.”
Erba informed his team members of his decision after school was dismissed Wednesday afternoon.
Erba cited the desire to focus on his own competitive running career as the reason for stepping down.
Erba took over the program as head coach in 2003-2004 school year, and the number of accomplishments are staggering:
• 11 Northern Lake Conference titles
• 10 sectional championships (the last ten years)
• 6 regional titles (including the last five)
• 44 State individual qualifiers
• 22 state relay qualifiers
• 7 state individual finalists
• 9 state relay finalists
• 4 Indiana All-Star nominations
• 11 Academic All-State selections
• 53 consecutive NLC dual meet win streak (active)
• 111-20 overall record
Add to that the size of the team grew from 50 members in 2004 to almost 90 last spring, and you see the impact Erba has had at WCHS.
“There are two main reasons for me stepping down from the WCHS girls track & field head coaching position,” said Erba. “After a 17-year break from seriously competing in triathlons and running events, I was pleased and even shocked about how ‘right’ it felt to get back into racing again. As my fitness levels and racing performances improved, I felt more inspired to invest all that I can during these next few years. Earning USA Triathlon All-American status this season after such a long layoff is exciting and I want to see how far I can go with this.
“I know myself well enough that I cannot give 100 percent in multiple areas and I do not want to give 80 percent attention to coaching and racing and be unhappy on both fronts. The girls and program deserve an enthusiastic and devoted coach, and I can no longer give that to them at the level I believe is needed for Lady Tiger track & field.
“And second, most coaches have this realization when their children are younger (I did as well), but I am seeing how differently our family will look in the next 18-24 months as all of our children will be out on their own. I want to take full advantage of that time we have together.
“I am most proud of the girls and what they have risked and how they have pushed themselves to achieve such success. As winning streaks emerged and titles started to stack up, we always went into each season with a clean slate and a new sense of motivation to perform our best for THAT season. We did not use the past as pressure to perform; we used it as motivation to take care of business in the moment and let the results come naturally.”
Erba informed his team members of his decision after school was dismissed Wednesday afternoon.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092