Mirabelli clinic remains inspiring

Mark Mirabelli has always been about winning.

From his time as assistant coach at Willingboro High in the 1980s and 1990s, during the team's run to a national dual-meet record for victories to his transition to head coach at Hamilton High more than a decade ago, the 1977 Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey) alum understands both the technical and psychological aspects of success in track and field.

But Mirabelli has never been one to rest on his laurels, a theme he hopes to convey March 16 at his 16th annual track clinic at the Peddie School.

Mirabelli has brought in former Olympic champions like Carl Lewis and Lamont Smith to highlight the one-day extravaganza in the past. But the one element that has helped the clinic become a staple on the local track and field calendar has been the participation of Mirabelli's family in setting up the event and the positive energy they convey.

While others may regard the first Sunday in February as Super Sunday, the Mirabellis wait until March to celebrate their brand of the holiday.

"My wife Karen (a former all-state tennis player at Eastern High School and Montclair State University) and my four kids all help out at the clinic," said Mirabelli, an elite javelin thrower until he was 36, when he injured his throwing shoulder in a racquetball accident. "Eight months of preparation (go into one day), 12 hours a day handing out flyers. It's overwhelming at times, but when March 16 comes and people walk away from Peddie and we hear, 'That was one of the best (clinics),' it makes it all worthwhile."

While Mirabelli has always been known as one of New Jersey's best throwing coaches, the list of experts in the other track and field disciplines is equally impressive.

If you're a hurdler, this year's teaching staff includes former Olympian Jack Pierce, former TCNJ standout Mike Cicale as well as highly respected veteran coaches like Ron Corson, Jack West, Barry Jackson and Tim Brennan.

Olympian Ringo Adamson will be on hand to help the distance runners. Former Notre Dame High and TCNJ All-American Deirdre Mullen and former high jumper Karen Gaita, who had a high of 6 feet, 2 inches, will teach that discipline. And sprinters won't be cheated as two-time Olympian Aliann Pompey will work with Cary Huggard (recently with the NFL's Carolina Panthers) in the area of velocity sports performance.

It's a veritable cornucopia of track treatises.

"Every year, I try to make it a better clinic than the year before," Mirabelli said. "I seek six or seven new faces."

One of this year's new faces is two-time All-American discus and shot put competitor Adam Kuehl, a former Monmouth Regional High standout who with another clinician -- Sean Sheilds -- has made his mark at the University of Arizona and has his sights set on the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Like many of the 24 clinicians, Kuehl finds teaching and learning almost interchangeable.

"Whenever you can coach, it helps the athlete and the coach," Kuehl said, "especially when the coach still competes. When you can teach something, it's almost like a refresher course. When I can start from the basics, it helps me remember what I want to focus on."

But success, says Kuehl, is hardly an exact science.

"Each coach has certain thing they believe help a thrower be good," he said. "The more eyes, the more perspectives you get."

It's an approach Mirabelli shares as he treks to other clinics throughout the year, across the country. But it's one that never gets old.

"'There have been a lot of success stories and that's the great thrill of it," he said.

The pre-registration fee for the 16th annual Mark Mirabelli Track and Field Clinic is $70. Registration at the door is $80. There are discounted team rates. For more information, go to www.mmtrackandifield.com, or call (609) 267-4810.