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Time for a change

Mitchell coach drops track to focus on her own running aspirations.

By BOB PUTNAM
Published May 20, 2005

Jacki Wachtel, a former River Ridge running star, dreamed of coaching since her high school days. And after graduating from Ohio University in 2001, she came back to Pasco County to make it happen.

But nearly 15 months after taking over as the boys and girls cross country coach and boys track coach at Mitchell, Wachtel decided that coaching two sports was too much.

That's why she decided to leave the consuming world of track. Wachtel, 25, turned in her resignation May 9, three days after the Class 3A state meet in Coral Springs. Wachtel said she will remain the school's cross country coach.

"Track was taking up quite a bit of time, and I didn't feel I was giving it enough attention as a coach," Wachtel said.

Wachtel said part of the reason she gave up track was to concentrate on her career as a distance runner. Wachtel, known as Jacki Waller when she became the county's first four-time cross country champion, has qualified for the Boston Marathon and dreams of making the Olympic Team Trials.

"My heart is with distance running," Wachtel said. "I want to run the Boston Marathon, and I wouldn't be to devote the time to train for that and compete in it if I was still coaching track."

Though she didn't cite it as the main reason she left, Wachtel said her relationship with star distance runner Jeff Masterson played a part in her decision.

Masterson's season and career have been a roller coaster filled with emotions. Everything boiled over last month when Masterson got into a heated exchange with Wachtel at the Suncoast Relays. He turned in his uniform and took a temporary leave of absence.

He did not compete at the Sunshine Athletic Conference meet, preventing him from winning his fourth straight 3,200 title. It was uncertain whether he was going to return at all.

Masterson eventually reconciled with his coach and was allowed back on the team. But he struggled to regain his form, placing third at the district meet and fourth at regionals. He was unable to defend his state 3,200 title and finished sixth at state.

"I'll be honest, it was something I thought about," Wachtel said. "It mentally wore me out. It was a big burden on me. I tried hard to be there the guys, but it was something that hurt."

[Last modified May 20, 2005, 01:06:18]