Cross Country - Varsity

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Varsity Head Coach: David Thurchak

Assistant Coach: Jean Dallenbach

Overview
Schedule

Overview

Cross Country Program Overview

The Cross Country seasons begins in August with daily practices and progresses through the end of October when the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) Championships takes place. The team consists of student athletes devoted to being the best in the classroom as well as on the running course. The Barons compete on most Saturdays throughout the season in multiple invitational meets against some of the best competition in the area. Training consists of a mix of distance running, pace or tempo runs, intervals, weight training and hill workouts. The development of race tactics and strategy, as well as using mental imagery to promote confidence in members of the team will help us compete with the best in our district. As coaches, our focus is on developing passion for a lifetime of running, health and wellness. We pride ourselves on teaching our athletes sportsmanship, teamwork and to be each other’s biggest fans. Our enthusiasm is extended into the entire Saint Mary’s Hall athletic community. Go Barons!

For more information contact:

David Thurchak
210-445-2622
dthurchak@smhall.org

Head Coach

David Thurchak
dthurchak@smhall.org
(210) 445-2622

David Thurchak has seven years of experience as a TAPPS Track & Field Head Coach and also has experience coaching varsity base level track & field for the US Air Force during the 1980's and 1990's. While serving as an active duty member of the USAF he also competed in NCAA Division I and II meets in various events to include sprints, horizontal jumps, hurdles, throws, and relays. He finished his competitive career in 1994 on a high note as the USAT&F Dakota Region Champion in the Men's Open Long Jump and 110 High Hurdles. During his coaching tenure for TAPPS, his athletes qualified to attend state championship meets all seven years in various events, resulting in four state champions and one state record holder and has alumni currently competing in NCAA Division I & II programs. During the off-season he is involved in many summer track and field activities such as hosting his annual Speed Camp; officiating horizontal jumps at a local summer meet series; and coaching athletes in his summer program. He is a member and a Regional Director of the Texas Track & Field Coaches Association and a member of USA Track & Field.

Assistant Coach

Jean Dallenbach
jdallenbach@smhall.org
(210) 483-9100

Coach Jean Dallenbach joined the Saint Mary’s Hall track and field coaching staff in 2020. She participated in cross-country and track in high school and college in North Dakota and Minnesota. She was inducted into her high school’s Hall of Fame for her accomplishments in cross-country. Dallenbach taught elementary school as well as fitness classes for over 20 years. She was chosen as teacher of the year at one of the elementary schools where she taught and received 3 superintendent awards. Continuing as an avid runner, she has run several marathons as well as many ultra-marathons. Coach Dallenbach brings her love of working with kids, fitness, and running to SMH as the middle school cross-country and track coach, as well as assisting varsity cross-country. She and her husband, Jeff, have 5 wonderful children. Dallenbach looks forward to continued growth of the young athletes and on-going success with SMH track & field and cross-country.