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

 

 

 

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USA Indoor Championships- pictures

This is a continuation of the last Indoor Champs post, but now- with pictures. 

As I started in the last post, what a good group of guys to throw with.

I must say again- a big thanks to USATF and NIKE. What great supporters. Thanks for a great event.

Me & Laura

USA Indoor Championships

Well, another Indoors done and I pulled off a win on the last throw. Fun, but nerve racking. Finally on the last throw I did not think about it and I just went out and threw what I have done all year long.

It was a great group of guys to throw with- Kibwe back in indoors after a long absence, always Jake Freeman, and all the others... especially J.C. Lambert who really pushed me this year and had to make that throw on the last one to pull it off.

A couple of things to think about afterwards are-

1. Never give up because after prelims I was sitting in 7th and I could have easily just given up and kept taking the beating I was getting, but I didn't.

2. I forget sometimes how long I have done this until people tell me and I realized Jud has told me 25 times to "go get it done" for USA Nationals.

3. How blessed God has given me this gift to do it this long and how great my family, wife- Laura, kids- Geo and Marina, parents- Al and Linda, and sisters- April and Angie, have supported me through the years when it has been tough, they have always been there.

Then it goes to the point of all the different people who help me through this long path:

Jud Logan, my coach who has been there through this whole time.

Ashland University Athletics, who has supported me throughout and works with my schedule and especially my boss, Al King. And then also the trainers and a special shout out to my man, Jeremy Hancock, for always treating me even if I did something stupid.

Then there are the people like Dr. Tim Novelli, who has seen me for years to provide me with adjustments and chiropractic care to keep me at my best.

Also NIKE who has now been my sponsor now since 2007 and had given me tremendous footwear and apparel through the years.

Also to the athletes at Ashland University, especially the throwers that I work with and train with once and a while. But also the ones I coach as a strength coach that keep me in check as to what intensity is and keeps on reminding me how hard work pays off, at whatever age.

I know that does not cover everyone but I want to thank everyone who has helped me out through the years. Also thank you to all that I have competed with and who I have learned so much about how to prepare and compete. It is a true blessing to say I can still win it at the age of 36 and I can say one thing- it will never get old.

Happy training.
A.G. Kruger III

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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.

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Top 5 local community moments

Thanks Ashland Times Gazette, especially Doug Haidet, Sports Editor. Jud and I had a lot of fun at this event, and I just thought it would be fun to throw in some of these events again. Plus a world record and an American record? Fun.

 

 

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Elite Throws Camp

Next month I am co-hosting a Throws Camp with Kurt Roberts, currently ranked top 10 in the world. We will be coaching the throws in various settings- there is a camp, a technique session and a seminar. It will be a lot of fun and personalized for athletes.

 

I encourage you to register soon and plan to attend!

 

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Ashland Summer Series 3

June 14, 2014

Ashland, Ohio

This throwers meet will involve the hammer, discus, shot put, and javelin. It will start with men's shot put at 11:00 AM, then rolling schedule of women's shot put, men's javelin, women's javelin, men's hammer, women's hammer, men's discus, and then women's discus.

All ages are welcome, please let me know (by email) if you are throwing a different weighted implement due to age. Please notify me of age, sex, and also the weight of implement.

$20 entry fee for as many events as you want to compete in. Hope to see you at AU!

To email me and for more details about the meet, go to www.usatf.org and go to the events calendar.

 

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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.

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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.

North Americans #1 Ranked Athletes

Thank you NIKE Track and Field Athletic News for recognizing us! I was mentioned in the newsletter as one of North Americans #1 Ranked Athletes.

 

 

 

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2014 Indoor Season

It's been a busy fall to say the least- personally and professionally. My full time job as Strength and Conditioning Coach is busiest in the fall with school beginning, football, and working with all other teams. It's crazy how busy the fall is, but somehow we get through it.

Most recently we added a baby girl to our family so that has been keeping me busy too.

But now it's already January and my 2014 Indoor Season has begun.

My 2014 Indoor Schedule will be posted in a next couple days. Last weekend I competed at Kent State University, but this weekend I am competing at SPIRE in Northeast Ohio.

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Worlds in Moscow

I am here in Moscow and compete tomorrow. I am in the first flight at 5:05 which is 9:05 AM eastern time. I believe live stats should be online on Iaaf.org or even a web stream of it.

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July 18th Meet

In order to get ready for the World Championships in Moscow, Russia, I am hosting a throwing meet on July 18, 2013 at Ferguson Field at Ashland University. The meet will start at 1 PM starting with the men's hammer then on a rolling schedule with women's hammer, men's shot, women's shot, men's discus, and then finally women's discus. There will be a $20 entry fee and this will allow you to compete in every event if you would like. This is a USATF sanctioned meet and weigh-ins will start at 12:15. Come and enjoy a fun competition at Ashland University and please email me at agkiii@yahoo.com for entering in the meet, you will also be able to walk up the day of. If you are a junior athlete please email me your age and what size implement you will be throwing.

A.G. Kruger

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Helping at Jud Logan's Track Camp

I helped Jud at another one of his camps this summer as an Instructor. As usual, the campers enjoy watching an elite thrower compete... Or practice. So I delayed my practice until later in the day so the campers could watch. Every year they enjoy it!

Jud, who is always a classic emcee explains what is going on...

I know you can't see that well here, but this shows how the over 200 campers are dispersed to watch. Some are on the shaded hill, and others are sitting in the sun on the bleachers.

And we are about to begin!

Jud is directing the campers in a chant, "USA! USA! USA!"

Thanks, Jud, for a great time!

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