Doc Hennenfent’s Last Year Coaching Track and Field

Published: May 12, 2014

What is your name and how do you spell it? Dr. Greg Hennenfent
How does it feel to be coaching your last season of track? “After 31 years of being involved with coaching that’s going to be a very hard day for me, the last track practice and the last track meet, because track has been an important part of my life ever since i’ve been in third grade. I ran it all through college and high school and middle school, and I’ve coached it pretty much for years so it’s going to be an adjustment for me to not have that next year at this time.”
Who will take over your coaching position when you retire? “That position has not been applied for yet or posted, so no, I do not.”
What are your goals for the team this season? “I always set a goal for the team. When we go to GAC Conference, to win all four conferences is the goal. It’s JV Boys and Girls and Varsity Boys and Girls. So that’s our team goal for the year.”
How are you preparing the teams for their meets? “Well one, spring break made it kind of difficult because with had so many people in and out, and doing different things, so we’re back on track now that we’re back in school, getting them back in regular routine of their workouts and stuff because usually our Varsity meets are on weekends. Usually Monday and Tuesday are heavy workouts, Thursday are light, and Friday is basically preparing for the meet.
How do you think you’ll feel at your last track meet? “We’re not going to go there, we’re not even going to talk about it. The awards banquet is going to kill me. The last track meet, we’ll be at state, so my state qualifiers will be there and we’re not even going to act like it’s the end. I’m just going to say ‘See you all at school,’ or ‘See you all at Graduation.’ We’re not even going to act like it’s the last one. It will be the hardest day of my life besides having a baby and getting married.”
What have been some of the highlights through your coaching career? “The state champions that we’ve had over the times that i’ve been here definitely have been some of the highlights on my career. Nick Happe was a Gatorade All- American for me, I’d never had one of those before. I also got to watch Nick run at the Nike Nationals, which is one of the biggest track meets in America. So, those types of things, and the state champs, and what Nick got to do when he ran here as a senior, definitely are the highlights.”
What is something you’re going to miss most about coaching? “Watching the kids get better as the season progresses and they go through the years, and that they find out what Track and Field is about. Usually they come out as a freshmen, they’ve never done Track and Field, then they get interested in it, and they get more interest in it and it’s just great to see kids enjoying Track and Field.”
What hopes do you have for future seasons now that you won’t be here? “That the tradition that we’ve started when I came here continues and we keep the tradition.”

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