Local track coach shares global experience

Bryce Boese – Mustangs Ahead

(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) – Throughout the years that Mark Napier has coached the Lakewood Ranch High School (LRHS) track and field team, he has helped many athletes reach success at both the high school and collegiate levels. This year he has expanded his coaching talents to young student athletes overseas.

On Dec. 26, 2016, Napier boarded a plane for South Korea. He secured a job to train the top six upcoming South Korean athletes.

“A friend of mine runs the United States Olympic center of track and field. He passed my name on to the person in Korea who is in charge of their Olympic team, and then I was called for an interview and sent them my stats as a coach here, then I landed the job,” said Napier.

The experience was simply incredible for Napier, as he was treated like royalty.

Napier said, “The president of the Korean athletic association (KAAF) drove six hours just to see me. They also flew in in the top financial guys to meet with me too. I was able to meet with the top five guys of the athletic committee; they were great to cooperate with.”

The main age group he coached was 12-19 years old, with the outlier being a 30-year-old shot putter.
Napier will be bringing back a lot of experience to the Mustang track and field team.

“I’ve spoken with the kids about how impressed I was with the culture over there. The kids are just like the kids here, always laughing, having fun, and listening to music. I was very surprised how respectful and humble the kids were,” he said.

This was one of the coolest experiences in Napier’s life, and he will stay in touch with them for sure, as many future opportunities will be popping up for Napier across the pond.