Wingspan: Did you participate in any sports growing up? If you did, when did you start and what made you want to?
Thayer: “Yes, I competed in many sports starting at a young age. I did gymnastics, baseball, soccer, football, basketball as a youth athlete and eventually specialized in track and field in my high school.”
Wingspan: When you were growing up, did you expect that you would become a coach as an adult?
Thayer: “In my younger years I never would have answered that I wanted to be a coach. It was not until after my Junior year of high school that I decided I wanted to pursue a coaching career.”
Wingspan: What motivated you to pursue coaching and coaching your sport specifically?
Thayer: “My high school track and field coach became a role model for me and led me to love the sport and choose to pursue coaching.”
Wingspan: What are your favorite and least favorite parts about being a coach for your specific sport? Why?
Thayer: “What I love most about track and field is the diversity of events that allow athletes with different backgrounds to find an event to specialize in. Track and field is a sport that requires a different level of work ethic and will truly show if an athlete put in the work come season when they step into competition.”
Wingspan: What is something that most people don’t know about coaching in general or coaching your specific sport?
Thayer: “Coaching is a passion for building the entire athlete. If you are in it for wins, losses, stats, or glory; you are in it for the wrong reasons.”
Wingspan: If you could coach or participate in another sport besides the one you currently do, what would it be and why?
Thayer: “Hands down, I would love to coach golf. If it ever became a UIL sport, I would also love to coach CrossFit.”
Wingspan: What is the most inspiring student athlete moment you have witnessed as a coach?
Thayer: “ I have several moments I have enjoyed as a coach. My most inspiring moments are witnessing athletes make selfless decisions for their teammates or even their competitors.”
Wingspan: What advice do you have for student athletes?
Thayer: “ Compete because you love the sport, challenge yourself in moments you feel weak, and choose to uplift those around you.”
