Heartbreak turns to confidence for track star Ruiz
Paige Wright
Football is our foremost consideration right now in the new coach department, but what about track? That was my first thought seeing how we are still fresh off Lady Jacket Danni Ruiz’s incredible double gold state track meet appearance last month. I’m still hyped just thinking about it. Plus, there are more promising young athletes coming up to high school this year.
Danni Ruiz wholeheartedly gave the now former AD and track coach Bryson Oliver much of the credit for her successful freshman season, citing his specialized workouts and program of intense preparation she followed. Right at a month prior to his departure, Oliver spoke of the incredible relationship he and Danni had developed over the spring, with him pushing her hard in focused workouts, actions tailored to get Danni past the reigning “1A queen,” distance phenom Taytum Goodman (a senior from Springlake-Earth) and to the top spot on the state podium—twice. In person and on online, Oliver gushed about his anticipation that Danni’s blazing new 1A 800m record of 2:12 seconds would “stand for a long, long time, unless we break it again.” That kind of commitment talk piled on top of overwhelming success will stick with a kid.
Danni admits that she never really thought she cared that much about Oliver and the prospect of him leaving after just one year as her coach; the possibility was never really considered. But when Oliver unexpectedly accepted a job at Highland ISD in the name of the best decision for his family, she bawled her eyes out at the loss of familiarity. The news of Oliver’s departure reached Danni third hand and was an understandably upsetting shock to the soon-to-be sophomore. “I mean, he was supposed to be with me all 4 years of high school, but he’s leaving after my first one. That made me uneasy.”
Fear of the unknown temporarily plagued Danni, who openly battles nerves and performance anxiety. “My mind started racing and I was worried that the next coach would overlook me and think that I could just do everything with some mediocre workouts or something,” confessed the 15-year-old. Yes, Danni excels because of her own drive and determination, but she maintains Oliver’s workouts and preparation are what ultimately helped her to win state in both the 400m dash and 800m run last month. She was momentarily petrified that her hard work would go to waste with an unfamiliar coach who may assume she would dominate on raw talent alone.
Lucky for Menard athletes, the newly announced Menard ISD athletic director and head football coach also happens to be a track guy. Like, a serious track guy. He was a 4-year college athlete in his own right at Texas State. His most recent professional post was at Division 1 Tarleton State University. Under Holland’s direction, TSU jumpers, sprinters, hurdlers broke all sorts of school and conference records, indoor and outdoor. And Tarleton is not his only D1 track spot.
Fortunately, Danni’s emotional shakeup did not last long once the very qualified Coach Holland met the girls after summer workouts on Monday. “I was nervous for the future,” said Danni. “But now I feel differently after learning about and meeting the new coach. Given his background I think he is obviously the best fit and I can now confidently say that I have no doubt I can break another state record with Holland coaching me!” Danni, we are behind you and every other Yellowjacket and Lady Jacket in all you do!