Danny McFarlane's first real break in coaching seems set to be realized this weekend at the US Indoor Nationals. McFarlane, Jamaica's Olympic silver medalist in 2004 has taken on American Frankie Wright, a former long jumper. In less than two years, MacFarlane has turned him into one of the US' leading quarter-milers.
McFarlane said he always wanted to find someone who listened, and Wright, who he first saw a year-and-a-half ago, has been doing very well so far since joining his Rock Track Club.
He has also coached former Jamaica junior quarter-miler Maris Wisdom, who he said got hurt, and could not continue because the financial support. McFarlane has also been coaching himself for over a decade now.
According to McFarlane, in Wright he has "found an athlete, who I am working with him now for a year-and-a-half. And right now, he is the fastest American at sea level, and second fastest American (behind Gil Roberts – 45.39) going into the US trials this weekend (February 25-26 in Albuquerque, New Mexico). So, we are looking forward to it (US Trials) and basically that was my goal from day one ... To get somebody who is willing to listen and work with me."
"Basically I took him from nowhere in a year-and-a-half," he said of the former Oklahoma long jumper.
Now McFarlane is targeting a top two finish at the US Nationals. But according to him, this would be the second of the three goals he has set for the indoor season. "The first goal was to quality for the US trials, after running 46.22, a personal best, in his first race. (It is) faster than what he ever ran outdoor," adding they were going to leave everything unto the Most High as Wright should be ready.
"Hopefully we can get the top two, but if we can't so be it. But we are shooting for the top two," he added while saying that was the second target.
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