Devin Burgess (left) & Jordhan Levine (right) celebrate the 2013 Outdoor State title with Coach Ian Wilson
Waterville's Ian Wilson moving onto Colby
The long-time head coach of the Waterville boys & girls is moving up to coach at the college level
Ian Wilson has become a legend in the Maine track & field coaching circles while leading Waterville to an impressive 24 state team titles in his 17 years as the head coach. Wilson is highly regarded amongst his peers as one of the most knowledgable & technical coaches in state history. His resume includes coaching several state record holders (9 girls records indoors, & 10 girls outdoor records), and numerous individual state champions.
Wilson has decided to leave the Waterville program after leading it to all 4 state team titles in 2014 to pursue a coaching opportunity at nearby Colby College. At Colby he will be in charge of the vertical jumps (high jump & pole vaut) & the multi-event athletes. The Purple Panthers have won the last 5 girls Class B indoor titles, and the last 8 girls titles in outdoor track. This past calendar year Waterville won all 4 team state titles during the indoor & outdoor season.
His impact on current & former athletes has been immense. I spoke to a few and they all had high praise for the man the called "Wilson".
"He's one of the greatest coaches I've ever seen and I was lucky that he was my coach for 3 years" said Former Messalonskee & Umaine standout Jesse LaBreck. LaBreck set indoor state all-time best in the high jump (5-9), 55 hurdles (8.23), & Pentathlon (3541) as well as outdoor all-time state bests in the high jump (5-9), triple jump (38-8 1/2), plus both hurdles races 100HH (14.48) & 300IH (43.98).
"Ian Wilson was the start to my actual track career and I believe if it wasn't for him I wouldn't have reached many of my goals. He gave me great work ethic, confidance, and motivation that I used throughout high school and college. He sees the potential in kids even when they don't and he knows exactly what they are capable of." the former pupil said.
Coach WIlson with his star distance runner Bethanie Brown
Current Iowa State sophomore Bethanie Brown one of the state's all-time best distance runners ran for Coach Wilson, says "Waterville track was thrilling to be a part of every year. Each year, starting with Indoor Track freshman year, Wilson brought everyone together to take on the challenge of winning a state championship. We worked hard to win as a team, and he made it clear that every point would count. This intensity was what scared some people away, but for me and many others, I know it’s what made track so exciting to be involved with at Waterville. Waterville Track wasn’t for the faint of heart—track kids were tough—we worked hard, and that brought results.
Hard work seems to be a common theme to the success of Wilson's teams at Waterville. Brown recalls here favorite qoute from Coach, “The only place that success comes before work is in the dictionary” This day and age with all the distractions available to athletes, getting a group of individuals to work hard and become a team is a daunting task.
How was he able to do it year after year?
"Wilson’s motivational skills, for me, are his most memorable quality from my 4 years of track. He motivated us with facts, stories, and quotes, and honestly, just his presence would make some kids run like a lion was chasing them. And when Wilson yelled at you from across the track— by golly you were going to run faster, jump higher, throw longer—whatever it took." remembered Brown.
2014 graduate Jordhan Levine had high praise of Wilson's motivational abilities as well, "He was supportive no matter what and really believed in me. I could have a bad meet and feel like i let the teaam down but he always picked me back up and told me that it happens to the best of us and the best thing we can do is practice harder and move on"
Junior Sarah Shoulta a current standout at Waterville credits Wilson with all her success on the track. "Coach Wilson is the reason that I have had success. I wouldn't be anywhere without him. Going in to high school track was the sport to keep me in shape for soccer. Never in a million years would I have thought that I would want to continue at the college level", Shoulta commented.
Looking ahead to next year, Shoulta has these thoughts " I will miss the way he always brought out the best in me and all my teamates. He always encourages us to do the best that we can. He really developed who I am as an athlete and who I am as a person and that is something that you can never replace. He has made me my best."
Wilson is known for being one of best technique coaches in the state. "He really knew track and field. When he told you to change something or fix something you trusted him and you did it." said Levine who scored 38 points at the outdoor state meet this season.
Coach Wilson's always had his teams prepared to do their best in the championship meets. Fellow coaches knew what they were facing when Waterville was in a competiton. Current Greely coach John Folan had this to say, "Ian's Waterville teams have always been totally prepared physically, mentally and psychologically. His preparation of jumpers and hurdles in particular has been matched by few in Maine. Additionally, his kids have always been classy and gracious. We've had the pleasure of going against these teams for a number of years - more often than not coming in a respectable second or worse. But being able to compete against Wilson teams has made us better. Ian has set the bar high for excellence in coaching and performance."
"It is well know around the state that coach Wilson is one of the best ever, his dominance in a wide variety of events especially the hurdles, triple jump & pole vault is unmatched. "Ian and his teams brought out the best in all of us. They were so well-prepared both technically and mentally, that all of us had to be at our best to compete with them. Ian is most certainly among the best technical coaches I have seen at any level. His passion for coaching and his drive to master every event is unsurpassed. Most of all, Ian instilled in his teams a passion and respect for the sport that was contagious. They competed with pride and good sportsmanship." said Falmouth coach Jorma Kurry
It won't be a complete departure from Waterville thoug, Ian will continue to teach english at Waterville High School, as well as continuing as the head coach of the girls soccer program.
MaineTrackXC conducted this interview with Coach Wilson after he informed his Waterville program of his departure.
MTXC Can you talk about how you got your start in track and field, and what led you to get into coaching?
IW During the summer after I graduated from college, I was out for a run and some guy stopped me to talk. Turns out he was the local track coach, and asked if I might be interested in helping out with the runners at the high school (Mt. View). I began volunteering there, and when he stepped down I took over the program. Quite honestly, I knew nothing about most of the science of track—I really just had some enthusiasm and a strong set of vocal chords.
MTXC You've become a legend in Maine winning 25 team state titles while at Waterville in just a short period of time. Can you talk about where the program was at when you took over? How have you made the program into a powerhouse?
IW My mother would be quick to point out that a legend ought to call his mother more often, so I can’t accept that title. But as for Waterville, it was not a strong program when I took over, but the foundation was in place. Indoor track just started when I arrived there, which is a key component in any successful track program. When I began, I had some tough confrontations. The team had a club atmosphere, with large numbers of kids missing during vacations and holidays. When I instituted mandatory Saturday training sessions, I was told it would never work at Waterville—and I love being told something can’t be done. When kids got tired of sitting out meets they either quit or started to attend the practices. I had excellent administrative support, another key component in a successful program. I set very high standards and expectations, and then gave the athletes a lot of help meeting them. It was my goal from day one to establish Waterville as one of the premier programs in Maine—it just took a while to get there.
MTXC You've coached some of the top girls ever in the state of Maine including 9 indoor state all-time record holders & 10 outdoor state all-time best record holders, what does it mean to have played a key role in the athlete's success?
IW I always try to make sure the athlete receives all the credit—I certainly didn’t run the race or perform the jump. But if you provide top-level training and take an interest the life and welfare of the kids you coach, success is inevitable. We never really talk about records and don’t spend any time worrying about winning streaks. I just try to make sure an athlete is well prepared physically and mentally, and then it’s up to her or him. I couldn’t tell you how many records have been set by kids I coach—the records go to the athletes.
MTXC What is your favorite event to coach?
IW I always took an interest in the more technical events. Early in my coaching career, I discovered that much of the success in the less technical events depended on the neurological wiring of the athlete—genetic gifts. The more motor units an athlete can recruit to perform a task, the more explosive he or she is. I wasn’t particularly interested in sitting around and waiting for genetically gifted kids to come my way, as that can be a long wait. So, I began directing our better athletes toward the more technically demanding events: hurdles, triple jump, pole vault. I worked hard to learn the technique and training that led to success in those events, and I really enjoy the challenge of learning the intricacies of technically complex events. That’s not to say every kid was a hurdler; sometimes you do get genetically gifted athletes who can compete well in the sprints, but the trick is to recognize that.
MTXC What has been the most important thing you have learned coaching HS athletes?
IW Most kids have no idea how good they can be if only they can learn to stick with it, compete, and use setbacks as motivation. So many kids sell themselves short—very few of them reach their potential because they get discouraged or distracted. It’s only in movies and storybooks that big breakthroughs happen. We had a saying at Waterville: Success is achieved one inch a day. Keep working, keep grinding, and you will almost always get to where you want to be. You just have to want success more than other distracting comforts.
MTXC Coaches always want to go to the next level, just like athletes, do you feel you had reached a pinnacle so to speak at the HS level?
IW Yes and no. You’re only limited by your imagination and willingness to work. There are many talented athletes in the halls of Waterville High School I was unable to reach who could have competed at a very high level. One of my long-term goals was to fundraise for a small indoor training facility in Waterville and to help develop a stronger youth program, both of which would have helped propel us to a regional or even national power. Why not us?
MTXC You won all 4 team state titles in 2014, and now you're making the jump to college, can you talk about the decision to move onto the college level, and what process was involved in moving on from Waterville HS?
IW A lot of coaching in high school is teaching the basics to a kid who has never performed an event, then helping him or her advance and hopefully attain a level of proficiency. To some degree, the upper limit is set, although there are exceptions. For example, a beginning female vaulter will probably not clear 13-0 in her four years, but she may do that in college. The strongest draw of coaching in college is to start with a high school 10- or 11-foot vaulter, and help her attain 13 feet. I’m eager to apply advanced coaching principles that are more relevant in the college setting. Colby does have some beginners, and I’ll always enjoy coaching them and watching them develop, but I’m also excited to work with athletes who have attained a certain level, and guiding them to the next one.
MTXC You've been successful at the HS level what advice would you have for upcoming HS coaches?
IW Confront mediocrity. It’s really exhausting, but it’s one of the keys to success. Insist that every tiny detail is done correctly and to the best of the athlete’s ability. Most kids will fight you on that and push back to stay in their comfort zones, and that’s what is so tiring. As coaches get older and the seasons drag on, it gets easy to say, “The heck with it, I’ll let that go.” You can’t do that, you have to demand excellence every day.
Educate yourself, and never stop. I just returned from Boo Schexnayder’s USTFCCCA Advanced Jumps course, and it was incredible. I have also done three USATF Level II programs and every time I return I’m a better, more motivated coach. My track library has over 60 books—I’ve read every one. I subscribe to Track Coach, the NSCA’s Strength and Conditioning Journal, USTFCCCA’s Techniques, and the IAAF’s New Studies in Athletics. All these journals drive my wife crazy, they’re lying around all over the place, but I just can’t bring myself to throw any away.
MTXC What will you miss most about coaching at Waterville HS?
IW Without any doubt or hesitation, the kids. I’ve been close to many, many kids over the years, and stay in touch with a lot of them. Lots of former athletes visit during breaks from college, and as they move on in life, I like to follow their milestones—weddings, new jobs, children. I will miss my daily contact with them tremendously.
MTXC What are you most looking forward to coaching at the collegiate level? What challenges do you think you will face at the next level?
IW Job one is to earn the trust and respect of the athletes I’ll be working with at Colby. I spent some time with them last spring, and was impressed with their work ethic and level of expectation. A large component of college coaching is the recruiting process, so I have a lot to learn in that field. And as with every new undertaking, there are challenges and obstacles I haven’t even dreamed of yet that I will need to overcome.
MTXC What would you like Ian Wilson to be remembered for…...
IW Well, hopefully not as the loud, brash young coach that some of the elder statesmen and women in Maine might recall. I hope I might be remembered for helping my athletes make the most of their potential, teaching them to compete hard, and encouraging them to be good students and community members. I hope I contributed positively to the Maine track & field community, as it has certainly given me a lot. I wish the best to all my fellow Maine coaches, I’ll miss you, but I’ll be around I’m starting to choke up now, so I have to end this….
| Class B Outdoor Girls Titles |
| 2007 |
| 2008 |
| 2009 |
| 2010 |
| 2011 |
| 2012 |
| 2013 |
| 2014 |
| Class B Outdoor Boys Titles |
| 2006 |
| 2007 |
| 2008 |
| 2011 |
| 2013 |
| 2014 |
| Class A Indoor Girls Titles |
| 2000 |
| 2001 |
| 2002 |
| Class B Indoor Girls Titles |
| 2007 |
| 2009 |
| 2011 |
| 2012 |
| 2013 |
| 2014 |
| Class B Indoor Boys Titles |
| 2014 |
This article was update on 7/24 at 11:58am