We’ve had snow - lots of it.

Ice too.

Not to mention freezing rain, blizzards and bone-chilling temperatures that even my Labrador Retriever has chosen on occasion to forsake, making me question my own mental acuity as I step outside, while she snuggles deeper under the blankets of our bed.

Through it all, our Ann Arbor Track Club Youth Program has endured.

Kids show up for practice.  Parents, guardians, friends and relatives drive them.  Coaches forsake domestic bliss to mentor, motivate and hone the skills of their young prodigies.

The results are awesome.

During the month of February, eleven athletes from the AATC Youth Program competed in one or both of two highly touted meets – the AAU Northern Indoor Championship in Bloomington, IL and the USATF Midwest Zone Championship, which took place in Geneva, OH.

Eleven athletes took home medals.

Eight qualified to compete in the USATF National Youth Championship in Hillside, IL, mid March.

Nine year old, Kyle Martin, placed second in the 200m, 400m and 800m events at both meets and maintains that he “likes everything” about running.

And the best thing about attending?

“I liked that I got to run,” Kyle explained

His father, Glenn, affirmed, “Kyle likes to do two things – eat and run.”

Marcus Martin, the elder of the two at 10 years of age, also ran and is looking forward to watching his younger brother run at the Championship meet in March.

“Marcus is more long distance,” Glenn revealed.  “He’s steady.”

Alexa Spaanstra, 11, attended the Northern Indoor Nationals, taking first in both the 400m and 800m competitions.

“What I enjoyed most about my experience,” Alexa described, “was that I met Bershawn Jackson because it’s always cool meeting famous track athletes.”

Best then to “watch our for Eddie Codrington this year” who strives to break two minutes for 800m.

Eddie, 14, won the 1500m and 800m competitions at the Midwest Championship in his respective times of 4:38 and 2:06.

“I enjoy the thrill and intensity of the race itself.  The need for quick decisions and mental strength are just two things needed to make a great race.”

A force to look out for, for sure.

Coaches, parents and athletes were all in agreement that the competition at both meets was “fierce,” but as young Eddie points out, “this just makes you work harder for the win.”

Team manager, Ron Beasley, confirmed that the club will go back to both meets in 2012.

“It was a great experience with lots of camaraderie,” Beasley conveyed.

One generation inspires the next, and such glory likely would not be achieved without the time, knowledge and dedication given by the Club’s coaches.

Spaanstra acknowledges that her coaches “are very nice, like to get a lot of work done” and spend lots of time with the team before meets on details such as blocks and starts.

Glenn is also a fan as he proclaims the coaches to be “outstanding.”

New for 2011, Brooks Sports, Inc. has launched their new program, ‘Inspiring Coaches,’ which gives individuals ‘the opportunity to nominate an inspirational track/XC coach for giving their time, encouragement, and dedication to support a team.’

Award winners will receive Brooks running gear and funds to benefit their programs.

Nominations will be accepted through April 30, 2011.  More information, rules and regulations can be found at www.brooksrunning.com/inspiringcoaches

Labs can be great friends, mine is the best snuggler around and many others make for considerable running partners.

But - to achieve the caliber of success as attained by youth athletes, Dylan Harris, Alexa Spaanstra, Lance Yassay, Eddie Codrington, Craig Campbell, Kyle and Marcus Martin, Julian and Denzel Harris and Lucas and Nicolas Arrivo, contact Ron Beasley at (734) 330-7931 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information on the AATC Youth Program.

Ron and the rest of the coaches won’t be under the covers.  They’ll be at practice.