The Viking Track Classic on Saturday had so many standout performances that we could talk about the athletes for a long time.
But here is to a group of guys who have helped countless track athletes reach PR’s, league championships and state qualifiers.

Jimmy Underhill, Jeff Held, Bill Hook and Doug Johnson (from left to right.)

The amount of time these men have given to the sport is almost beyond belief.

Jimmy Underhill is best known as the Piner coach who won countless SCL titles and is currently helping to coach the Cloverdale team. Jimmy started coaching in 1961 and is still at it.
Next is Jeff Held, who started coaching in 1969 and was one of my coaches at Montgomery in the late 70’s. Jeff was the head shot put official at the Viking meet this year.
Ukiah’s Bill Hook was the state discus champion back in 1958. He is still the throws coach at Ukiah.
Anchoring is Doug Johnson, who also started coaching track back in 1961 and is still at it at Petaluma High.

That’s well over one hundred years of coaching track. From the whole Redwood Empire a big thank you to these great guys and all they have done for the sport and are still doing.