NTCA 2015 Throws Clinic

So to finish out this year I went to the NTCA throws clinic at the Spire Institute in Geneva, Ohio. It was nice going back to Ohio and seeing people I have not seen in a bit, but some of the best stuff was listening to stories and especially picking the brains of some of the greats in the field of coaching. Being able to be at a place and listen to people like Jud Logan, Lance Deal, and Ramona Pagel was just a great chance to always learn new things and to reassure you what sometimes you talk about are the right things you are supposed to talk about. This was probably over 25+ times I have heard Jud talk but still learned new things. The thing that was great is that I was able to talk to them all one on one, and that is the greatest thing- being able to find the best people for a subject and ask them what to do or advice. 

I think a lot of people are afraid of doing this. You need to be open to just ask the people who know more than you, and have the openness and humility to see what they have to say because a lot of the time it will surprise you how close you are. 

Throwing today in 20 degrees and a foot of snow, I am reminded by what almost everyone there said this weekend- it does not happen by chance but with hard work and dedication to something you love. 

I was honored to be there with Lance and Ramona getting inducted into the NTCA hall of fame, but especially happy to be there for my coach, mentor, and friend Jud Logan, which I would not have missed it for the world. 

I hope everyone got home all right and wanted to thank Rob Lasorsa for putting on another fine clinic and I appreciate him asking me to speak at it. Happy training and let's kick the new year in right, with a lot of hard training.

Off to South Dakota!

So much has happened since my last post. I have been going going and going nonstop- which is typical for me, but it's time to start with some updates.

This summer started with USA outdoors in Eugene. My wife, Laura, came out with me and our kids stayed behind with family In Buffalo. Our friends were out there with us and we had a good time. I threw and placed third which means I made the World team because I already had the standard.

I'm also very thankful to be continually sponsored by NIKE. They are awesome. I have been working with them for years and I am continually thankful for all they do to assist me. The picture above is in the Nike hospitality suite.

 

The rest of the summer consisted of a family vacation, a couple weddings I was in, enjoying the summertime with my family, and of course... Summer workouts with football athletes... Which they were obviously thrilled to do.

But towards the end of the summer, opportunities started to present themselves for me professionally and the next thing I know I am interviewing for the Throws Coach position at the University of South Dakota (USD)... Which I end up getting, as you might know.

Side note: I'm familiar with the area since I'm a Morningside grad and it is only 30 miles away. Plus I grew up about 1.5 hrs from USD.

The campus is welcoming, comfortable and growing... With the current construction and addition to the Dakota Dome along with a new outdoor track... It will be very exciting. I'm looking forward to seeing the athletes and getting started. The other coaches are welcoming and I think we will make a great team.

Then in mid August I go to Worlds In China. More about that later, but overall my trip went well. I competed in the same facilities for the Beijing Olympic Games so I was familiar with what to expect.

 

Now I'm back at home briefly and I will head out to South Dakota after caring for a minor surgery, help take care of some things at home, and start transitioning. I have already ended me time at Ashland University... Said my good byes, farewell parties, gathered my things, and handed in my keys... Which felt very weird because I have been part of this University for so long. I started my adulthood here.

I gathered my Olympic uniforms which have been on display (top shelf).

 

But I am very thankful for many things I have experienced in Ashland... The opportunities, the experiences, the learning, the challenges, but mainly the people. (I will probably have a future post of thank you's later.)

But in yesterday's Ashland Times Gazette newspaper, Doug wrote an awesome article which is 100% spot on. I am very thankful for the comments from Al King and Jud Logan. Those mean a lot to me. If you are not local to Ashland or you don't have an online subscription to the newspaper, I included the article in pictures below. (Sorry, the second page is a little choppy to read because it's structured vertically).

 

 

 

 

 

So many thanks to so many people. We will soon start a new chapter at the University of South Dakota!

 

Sent from my iPad

 

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

A Great Training Day

On Sunday, it was a great training day. I had a great group of spectator's (my family), 40+ degrees outside, and the farm where I train. I had a good day outside and it felt good not to throw into a net indoors. With outdoor season around the corner, basically I will try to throw outside anyway it is over 20 degrees outside- except for USA indoor prep. The farm, where I throw, is still a great place to throw and a very special thanks to Britt Troth and family for letting us use his land and thank you to all who helped develop this place to how is today.

Posted with Blogsy

Article

The Ashland Times Gazette did a nice article in today's paper. Well done, Doug!

 

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

Outdoors

Well without posting in a while and indoor season being done, we are onto the outdoor season and I have started off very consistent. South Carolina- 76.25, Tennessee- 75.50, and Ohio State- 75.86... very consistent and happy with how it is going so far. But being older, finding the right combination of lifting and also throwing has been interesting; but so far working well. That is basically the start of outdoors- trying out different things that I have liked in the past and then figure out what will work well for me going into USA Outdoors. The biggest thing is to make sure that lifting does not effect my throwing, but how my throwing should effect the way I should lift. I am very excited for what is to come in the rest of the season. There will be a big meet this next Friday at Ashland University at Ferguson field in the elite men's hammer comp. Come out to watch! You will have fun watching a great competition! Happy training and hope to see you this Friday.

Posted with Blogsy

Indoor is Done

Well, indoors is now done and another successful year.  It is funny how things happen, with my new blessing coming a month early, baby girl Marina, and having to take basically 2 1/2 weeks off of training due to her being up in the NICU in Akron. I only got less than 1000 throws in by this point but really after talking with Jud, it works for me now.  I keep a little more intensity with my throws so it is truthfully the quality over the quantity.  Now going on 13 years training the hammer full time, I finally really can focus on little things to make the ball go far... I mean as focused as I can be with 2 kids, wife, and a full time job as Head Strength & Conditioning Coach at Ashland University.

It is still funny when I go to Indoors and people still ask me why I keep on throwing the weight since it hurts the form in the hammer. To those I say- throw it the same way.  On my best technical years I have felt the exact same things in the hammer and the weight and have done both well.  The biggest thing is I do not throw one just exclusively. I throw both all year round- throwing the weight all year helps keep my specific strength up and I truly believe helps me with my sitting harder against the ball. It is like heavy hammers on steroids.  I throw the hammer during weight season to make sure I feel patience in the throw and make sure I am keeping the timing so I can make World and Olympic Teams...considering the weight is not a recognized event in World Indoors. So no Sopot, Poland for me.  But I truthfully think both have benefits for each other.

So off to Outdoor Season I go. I will travel with the AU throwers down to South Carolina for the Weems Baskins meet at the University of South Carolina, which has been always a great place for us to go to get away from Ohio for a bit.  Then these are some more tentative meets that I will be going to:

Sea Ray Relays         April 10th
Jesse Owens              April 19th
AU alumni meet.      April 25th
Tucson Elite.             End of May, Always one of my favorite meets of the year

Well, I hope all is well with everyone and I will try to keep you all updated and thank you all for the support.

A.G. Kruger

PS- I just found out some news about a fellow Iowan and hammer competitor, Mike Mai, who has just been diagnosed with cancer and if you could all keep him and his family in your prayers with his fight against this.

News article from January 2, 2014

 

Posted with Blogsy