An Interview with Coach Mercaldi On The Indoor Track Season:

Coach Mercaldi is a fifth year track coach that has been running since middle school. She specifically coaches distance and long jump. Coach Mercaldi is a dedicated individual who strives for her athletes success and well being.

Q: What are your goals for the team going into this season?

A: “…our main goal is to have as many people qualify for the Shoreline and state meet as possible, as that will set up our team to try to score as many points [as possible]…Another goal would be to keep everyone as healthy as possible, as during the winter season it’s cold and it’s easy to pull muscles or to slip on ice… And also implementing different exercises and drills into our practice to help with injury prevention —especially shin splints…”

Q: How specifically can the coaching staff help their athletes achieve these goals?

A: “I think the first thing that I always pride myself in is communication with the athletes. Just being really clear about what the qualifications are, first, to actually get there. But also setting the athletes up for success, whether being strategic in the meets that athletes are performing in, what events they’re performing in, making sure that our practice plans… [implement] any areas of improvements that can help them— whether that’s drill work, whether that’s helping a mid distance runner w/their sprinting endurance.”

Q: What meets or aspects specifically are you excited for?

A: “…the meet we are the most excited for is at the beginning of the season—-The Beantown Classic. We have not attended this meet before…It’s at ‘The Track’ which is run by New Balance…there are a lot of teams from different states attending, so the competition will be fabulous. It’s a beautiful track…it’s on a hydraulic system…I’m looking forward to the meet at the Coast Guard because it’s close to us, so that’s exciting. I’m looking forward to Yale…and of course I’m most looking forward to Shorelines…”

Q: How did you get into running and how long have you been running?

A: “So I started running in sixth grade when I did cross country…and I did cross country throughout middle school and also throughout high school…I actually started distance running in indoor track and was encouraged by a lot of my friends that did track to try long jump…I found a lot more success in indoor track than I expected so I decided to pursue that…”

Q: How long have you been coaching for and what is your favorite part about coaching?

A: “This is my fifth year coaching indoor track. I think my favorite part is building relationships with the athletes and getting to see them improve each meet…getting to cheer them on is so fun. I think track is a great sport because all the cheering is always positive and encouraging. And I think that’s what we need more of in the world…”

Q: What is your favorite event?

A: “My favorite event to coach would probably be long jump…that was my first love of track…and it’s what I know the most from the technical side of track. I think it’s really fun coaching relays just because it feels more like a team sport…”

Q: Do you prefer indoor or outdoor track?

A: “I think I prefer indoor track, which a lot of people think I’m crazy for. I like indoor track the most because it’s easier to spectate than outdoor track…there’s just something special about competing inside with hundreds of eyes on you…”

Q: Do you have a favorite athlete that’s a role model for you?

A: “…I love Sydney McLauglin, ‘cause how can you not love her? Parker Valby is just an absolute inspiration too, I just love watching her compete because the grit she shows is unlike anything I’ve ever seen…”

Q: Do you have any other hobbies besides running?

A: “So I do a lot of traveling…I go away for pretty much all of the major breaks and the summer…I love going to other countries and looking at their tracks, they all look exactly the same since it’s such a worldwide sport…I was in Greece and our hotel was next to a track…I also do a little bit of photography on the side…I take pictures for the CIAC sometimes…besides that is hiking…”