Track coach Sommerfeld settling into new job

New coach has started making changes to program

Track and field assistant head coach Jessica Sommerfeld looks on as sophomore thrower Dominique Turner practices in Lantz Fieldhouse Tuesday afternoon. Sommerfeld joined the Panthers after coaching two seasons at Texas Christian and three seasons at South Dakota State. (Robbie Wroblewski / The Daily Eastern News)

  Six a.m. practice three days a week is one of the biggest changes sophomore thrower Tyler Arnholt noticed having a new coach this year. 

Eastern head track coach Tom Akers said when Jessica Sommerfeld became the new assistant head coach for Eastern's track program, there was a transition that had to take place.

"Everyone, the kids and the staff both, were a little apprehensive at first because we were going from the known to the unknown," Akers said. "But the transition with the coaching staff has been seamless. She jumped in and hit the ground running and is doing a great job."

Akers said the athletes are still adjusting to the change. 

"When volume and intensity of workouts changed a bit, I think some kids were a little weary of that," Akers said. "But after seeing how they have improved because of it they are a little more accepting." 

Along with holding an early morning practice for the throwers, Sommerfeld said she has definitely been pushing the athletes harder than they might have been used to. 

"It is a little rough for the kids just because they are used to doing things a certain way, but we are getting there," Sommerfeld said. "I am not going to stop pushing. They are growing and learning. It just takes time." 

Junior Kandace Arnold said the transition for her has been difficult but good at the same time. 

"It is very hard because (former coach Mary Wallace) recruited us and brought us in and made us so comfortable," Arnold said. "When we got the new coach, she had a whole different way of doing things and a whole different attitude. But I knew from day one she was going to make us better right away."

And she has. 

Sommerfeld said there were a number of athletes that improved from where they were at this time last year. 

In the Turkey Trials held Nov. 20, Arnold set meet records in both the 20-pound weight throw and the shot put.

Freshman Tasha Buchmiller said she has high expectations for the season.

"My expectations are really high because we have a lot of talent, and we have a great coach constantly pushing us to do better and helping us every step of the way," she said. 

Sommerfeld said she loves the Panthers' facilities and being able to have a set practice schedule at Eastern. 

She coached for two seasons at Texas Christian and three seasons at South Dakota State before coming to Eastern. 

"The facilities were not that great at South Dakota State, and practice times were all over the board," Sommerfeld said. "Sometimes we had it at night, sometimes in the morning and it was tough. It is great now - having a stable environment and routine - and with that I expect to do well."

Brandy Provaznik can be reached at 581-7944 or at blprovaznik@eiu.edu.