Merrimack Speed and Conditioning Staff, 2011
Program Director
Fernando Braz -- GTD Head Coach; Peabody High indoor and outdoor coach
Staff
Annie Starrett -- GTD Assistant Coach; North Andover High track agility/core coach
Mark Connolly - Merrimack College indoor and outdoor sprint coach
Joe Rocha - Peabody High Girls T&F coach
Becky Connolly - All-American track runner
Colette Madore - Central Catholic girls cross-country Head Coach
Jon Healey - Graduate of William & Mary, 2:29 marathon PR, adidas Racing Team
Chris Healey - Graduate of William & Mary; 2:37 marathon PR
Matt Pimentel - Merrimack College indoor and outdoor track coach
Tina Dowling - top Masters runner; adidas Racing Team
Pam Connolly - lacrosse and soccer coach in North Andover
Dave Hirst - Boston Marathon qualifier and top area runner
Martha O'Brien - Boston Marathon qualifier
Bailey DeNisco - Captain of Merrimack College Indoor and outdoor track teams, 2011-2012
Rebecca Ainscow - Merrimack College 10K record holder; New England qualifier
Photos of the July 26th Session (2010)
Lots of movement. Agility, balance, conditioning . . . and speed.
Coaches were everywhere.
Youths were all over. See them here.
Photos of the June 21st Session (2010)
On a warm night, there were drills for flexibility, quickness, and balance.
Looks like fun!
Take a look here.
Merrimack Session Photos, 2011
Saucony and New England
Running Company
GTD is grateful to Saucony and the New England Running Company for their support of the Merrimack and North Shore Speed and Conditioning programs this summer. The youth programs were able to distribute shirts to participants because of the collaborative efforts of both organizations.
New England Running Company has been a tremendous resource for the athletes and parents looking for professional advice, gait analysis, and the right product so athletes can train hard and remain healthy. NERC has been with us for years offering unconditional time and support.
Saucony made it possible to put a high-quality shirt on the backs of the athletes.
Their continued effort and vision to give back to the youth and young minds is unmatched and appreciated.
We look forward to continuing our relationship with both organizations. Their involvement is a win/win for the participants in the GTD Speed and Conditioning programs.
Objectives
Speed and conditioning improve performance in every
sport. An athlete can improve his or her speed by
developing stronger abdominal muscles, enhancing
balance, and improving proper running form.
Conditioning is attained by the appropriate pace
over distance.
This program teaches these things through practice in
our sessions, and gives the athletes the tools to
continue development all year.
Scholastic Program
The Scholastic Program offers the high school student athlete the opportunity to develop speed, conditioning and core strength appropriate for all sports in the upcoming fall season.
Program Director
Fernando Braz
-- Head Coach, Peabody High Boys Track Team
-- Head Coach, Going the Distance (a coaching service for runners)
-- USA Women’s Ekiden Coach
-- Coached 4 high school All Americans
-- PVMHS Hall of Fame
-- Boston College Hall of Fame
-- Two time Olympic Trial Marathon Qualifier
-- Named Coach of the Year by Boston Globe, Salem News, Eagle Tribune, and New England Runner
-- Named to all-New England team 12 times at BC
-- Won 12 individual state titles in cross country and track at Peabody High
-- Ranked 2nd in country at 10,000 meters with 30:42 at Peabody High
-- All-American in cross-country and spring track, and won back-to-back all-state titles in cross-country at Peabody High
