Teacher and Track Coach Roland “Lanny” Doan has successfully led track and field athletes throughout the city to state championships for the past 31 years. In his four years at the school, he has trained athletes to compete not only at a higher level, but with more confidence in their overall performance.

Q: Describe the objective of teamwork and training for track and field.

A: Teamwork is a challenge in track because there are 17 different events. We generally warm up as a team, then we separate into jumpers, throwers, sprinters, 400 runners, and distance groups to practice our specific events.

Q: What are the physical requirements for running track?

A: One has to be dedicated in order to push themselves through the pain and suffering. The drive to improve is perhaps the most important requirement.

Q: What are some difficulties you encounter in not only teaching five days a week, but also coaching a large group of athletes?

A: This is my 23^rd year coaching three sports (XC, indoor, and outdoor track). There are no difficulties doing all of them.

Q: How long have you coached the track and field team?

A: This is my 31^st year of coaching. I am the longest active track and field coach in Virginia Beach.

Q: Are there any risks of injury being involved with the track and field team?

A: If you don’t warm up, tears and strains can occur. Over-use injuries, like shin splits are common.

Q: How does track and field compare to other track sports?

A: Track is hard because it is a team sport consisting of many individual events. There are also relays, which most other sports don’t have.

Q: How far has an athlete(s), male or female, progressed while being a member of the track and field team?

A: In my four year at Cox, we have gone from no one advancing to the next level; to now having All-State and All-American athletes. These athletes expect to advance to the state level of competition.

Q: What are the greatest achievements of the track and field team? How far have they gone in competitions?

A: We can now compete in almost all 17 events at the conference meet, as opposed to merely participating. We have greatly improved.

Q: What is the level of intensity in preparing for meets?

A: It depends on the meet. Our weekly meets are low key and we use them as training tools. Weekend Invitationals are more important because they are vital to posting qualifying times post season. But during post season, which includes sectional, regional, and state meets we increase the pressure and expectations.

Q: What was the best experience you have gotten out of being a coach for the track and field team?

A: I know this will hurt!  But being track state champions in 2006, while coaching at Bayside, is tops so far.