May 9, 2006

By Pete Morey, BC Sports Information

In sweeping both the men's and women's sides of the Mid-Central College Conference Meet on April 29th, the Bethel College (Ind.) track program found itself standing on a pinnacle that few have reached in MCC history. Much of the credit for that accomplishment can be traced back to 2006 MCC Coach of the Year, Tony Natali.

Few would have guessed what was possible for the Pilot track program back when Natali took leadership of the squad back in 1998. That first year there were 15 members total on the men's and women's teams, and no regulation track facility with which to build the team.

"Back then I remember talking with those groups about how we just wanted to continue to get better every year," recalls Natali. "But, as we do now, we stressed every day that we want to put Christ in the middle of everything we do."

In the following years Natali looked to build with numbers first and then started to build with quality. In the year 2000 Bethel had their first NAIA National Champion as Richard Warren won the high jump at the national outdoor meet in Abbotsford, British Columbia. Since that time the Pilots have had 18 NAIA All-Americans and 8 NAIA All-American Scholar Athletes.
 

"When we began to see some success, I recall a conversation that I had with a graduating senior. He told me, `Coach it is pretty easy to put Christ in the middle right now, but as the team grows it will be more difficult for you to do that.' To be honest, he was right; but as time has gone on and we have more athletes in and out of the program we have made it a priority to not lose the Christ-centered focus of our program."

With Natali investing time in the spiritual development as well as the athletic development of his team, it provides a truly unique environment for the Pilot squad that now has 65 members.

"The Christian witness that the team exhibits has been noticed by so many people," observed Bethel Director of Athletics Mark Lantz, "and that is what truly sets this group apart. They are also a group of athletes that demonstrates class in everything they do."

Bethel is still without an on-campus facility with which to train and the athletes make a daily trip to a local middle school for their workouts. What an observer from the outside might see as a huge disadvantage is something that is now turned into a positive for the team.

"We really consider that aspect to be part of our testimony," Natali said. "Anything that we achieve we continue to give the glory to God. That we are able to do the things we do even without dedicated facilities is a credit to the athletes and coaches and their ability to overcome what could be a potential stumbling block."

"Whenever we have a prospect on campus, I always make sure that there is time for the recruit to meet and spend time with members of the team," continued Natali. "It is the kids that continue to attract high school athletes to the team."

This team-centered environment might have been best exemplified as the MCC meet drew to a close. With the final result still up in the air, the meet would be decided with the 4 x 100 races for both the men and the women. As the runners took their marks, the Bethel team was spread around the entire track to urge their teammates on and both relay teams finished first to lock up the twin conference crowns.

"That was something really great to see," recalled Natali. " One of our runners told me, `My teammates wouldn't let me lose.' To have the rest of the team screaming and cheering them on showed the kind of heart that have. There are a lot of great athletes in our conference but our kids just showed a great spirit in pulling out the wins."

"The thing that has impressed me the most about both the men's and women's teams is their desire to support each other at every moment during the meet," added Lantz. "The level of encouragement is very unique."

Natali is quick to give the credit for team success to his assistant coaches.

"How our staff has come together has been incredible," he said. "Starting with former Olympian Katie Anderson; to have her working with our sprinters and hurdlers is a huge asset for us. There is not a better sprint coach at our level in the country."

"That excellence continues on down the staff," Natali continued. "Danny Wilkerson is a great young coach working with our pole-vaulters. Thomas Cody with our throwers and Honey Storlie and Ryan Sommers with our distance runners are all great coaches and even better people."

As the team prepares for the NAIA National Meet there is not a lot of time to reflect on their accomplishments. However, it is clear that from the coaching staff down to the athletes, the Pilot track team is geared for success. That success extends from their on-track accomplishments down to the Christ-centered lives that they live on a daily basis. They truly are winning the race that counts.