When seven distance runners from Anaheim Excessive ready to cross a road close to campus have been struck by a automobile on Wednesday pushed by a suspected drunk driver, it as soon as once more introduced into focus the risks coaches and athletes should cope with whereas coaching on the streets of Southern California.
For Hernan Herrera, the incident introduced again recollections to his senior 12 months at Monroe Excessive as a member of the cross-country group in 2009. He was struck by a automobile in North Hills that ran a pink mild. He stated he was hospitalized for weeks with knee and pelvic accidents that required surgical procedure and left him sidelined for months.
Herrera was 17. Now he’s the dean of scholars and wrestling coach at Monroe. He doesn’t see altering the observe routine utilized by most excessive colleges working within the neighborhood to meet weekly necessities of 45 to 60 miles of coaching to organize for competitions.
“Everyone understands accidents happen and there’s no one to blame other than the person behind the wheel,” Herrera stated.
Sure, colleges may transport college students to quieter streets or hilly areas with working trails, however that will result in extra prices and there are various colleges distant from such areas.
Coaches have been assigning adults to oversee road exercises for years. Monroe coach Leo Hernandez stated he acquired his place in 1999 as a result of he may run along with his athletes to maintain watch over them.
Perhaps there must be extra conferences and reminders for these working on sidewalks or crossing streets to be cautious and to bolster following site visitors guidelines whereas being looking out for distracted drivers.
Herrera stated athletes should get of their exercises past working across the faculty observe to have the ability to compete effectively in cross-country or distance races in observe and subject.
“I don’t think there’s anything to do to mitigate the situation,” he stated.
