Page 32 - Amarrilo Senior Link Magazine Spring 2019- Online Magazine

HONORING SENIORS
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Senior Senior Steve Lott

Better Than a

Life Coach

by Fabian Llamas

that I would succeed away from his family, to support us.
in vaulting due to my
lack of experience. Coach Lott is kind and impartial.
Unfortunately, that led Including me, there are four senior
to the other vaulters vaulters. None of us ever had to worry
receiving more that our coach was playing favorites
attention. However, or putting more effort into one over
whether Coach Lott another. Though subtle, that lack of
dolescence can be terrifying. believed in me at the time or not, he favoritism influenced all of us, and
The decisions we make, even in our shortcomings, we never
Apeople we meet and ideas we had patience with me. He ensured that had resentment towards each other.
I learned and practiced the technique
encounter all impact our perception properly, even though it took me That created a coherent team which is
of the world and ourselves. This longer to improve than other athletes. illustrated by the way we all love to
period of time highlights the changes His patience taught me empathy for compete with each other.
in our psyche that determine how young, novice vaulters. My experience
we perceive the world. Traveling this has taught me how to help coach Furthermore, Coach had unbelievable
consistently inconsistent road, in this beginners, because I understand what patience when I ran into tough
constantly evolving process, we need they are going through. obstacles. He would tell jokes during
a guide - someone with experience practice or talk about it after practice
and wisdom. Mine showed up as I have also learned the importance to see what could be fixed. In a sport
my pole vault coach – an older man of serving others. Since our vault where the pressure to be in the top
who understands the importance of program didn’t have many practice three is glorified on a podium, his
maturing to become the best version of poles, and we had limited resources, wise approach reminds me to have
yourself. Coach Steve Lott understood Coach Lott began collecting scrap fun with my craft, and that this is a
me and my need for growth. I have metal to raise money for more passion, not an unyielding task.
been blessed to receive guidance that equipment. So, my teammates and
has helped develop my character I spent our weekends helping him Likewise, Coach Lott never failed
through his knowledge, dedication pick up donated scrap metal such to manifest compassion. During the
and compassion. He has made a as freezers and washers. The time beginning of my sophomore track
major impact in my life. spent doing that not only increased and field season, I pulled my right
our camaraderie, but also taught us hamstring which kept me from
A quality that separates outstanding that extra work is often required if competing nearly the whole season.
coaches from the others is their we want to meet our goals. It also I felt utterly demoralized, but Coach
dedication to ensuring that their revealed to me that Coach Lott wanted Lott exhibited sincere empathy
athletes accomplish their goals. When us to succeed so much, he was willing and concern for my well-being. He
I began vaulting, teammates (and to take time out of his weekends and checked in with the school athletic
even a few coaches) didn’t believe trainers everyday about my progress.

32 Amarillo Senior Link