Coach ,

The 2025 Wisconsin Track Coaches Association Conference brought together some of the most thoughtful and experienced voices in our sport. Their sessions offered more than just drills—they provided perspective, practical tools, and lasting insight for coaches at every level.

Below, we’ve highlighted three powerful takeaways from this year’s conference—each with a short clip and a few key lessons you can bring back to your team. Whether you’re developing sprinters, throwers, or team culture, these moments are worth a closer look.

Vesteinn Hafsteinsson — Lifting for Throws

Throw More, Lift Smart

In this clip:

Former Olympic coach Vesteinn breaks down a core belief: young throwers should aim to throw far while still being “as weak as possible.” His message: stop over-prioritizing raw strength and focus on throwing and rhythm first.

He outlines how Olympic lifts—snatch, clean, and jerk—build explosive speed better than heavy powerlifting ever could.

Key Takeaways from the Full Clinic:

• Balance throwing and lifting in a weekly plan to reinforce rhythm and skill

• Prioritize movement quality and bar speed over max-out lifting

• Avoid loading up young athletes too early—speed, technique, and long-term health matter more

You can check out his full clinic ‘Lifting For Throws with Vesteinn Hafsteinsson’ HERE

Jerome Missaien — Starts & Acceleration: Blending Drills into Practice

Three Point Start with Resist

In this clip:

Jerome shows how to teach explosive three-point starts using resistance. With just a bike inner tube and a teammate, you can create a high-impact, low-cost drill that reinforces drive, posture, and accountability.

He even adds a powerful coaching twist: athletes tell their partner the one thing they’re working on before every rep.

Key Takeaways from the Full Clinic:

• Blend sprint drills into warm-ups to build mechanics without adding volume

• Use simple cues like “hot ground” and “be tall” to fix posture quickly

• Let upperclassmen coach block setup—it builds culture and leadership

You can check out his full clinic ‘Starts & Acceleration: Blending Drills into Practice’ HERE

Lashinda Demus — 2025 WISTCA Keynote: Coaching with Purpose and Perseverance

The Power of Belief and the Role of High School Coaches

In this clip:

Olympic Gold Medalist Lashinda Demus reflects on the critical role high school coaches play in shaping athletes’ futures—on and off the track.

She shares how her own coaches helped her find belief and structure in difficult times, and how she now holds her own athletes to that same standard.

Key Takeaways from the Full Keynote:

• You can’t teach belief, but you can train it through consistent mental work

• Set your standard early—let athletes rise to meet it

• Coaching isn’t just about performance—it’s about legacy and life change

You can check out her full clinic ‘2025 WISTCA Keynote with Lashinda Demus’ HERE

Special thanks to the Wisconsin Track Coaches Association

We’re grateful to WISTCA for organizing this year’s conference and for their continued commitment to coaching education. Their work gives coaches the tools they need to build stronger programs, develop better athletes, and shape young people into better human beings, on and off the track.

View the entire WISTCA 2025 Conference ---->

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