Hilliard Davidson "Coaches Corner"

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Jim A. Smith (pictured above) - Men's Head Coach and Jumps - JimA_Smith@hboe.org

Coach Jim Smith is entering his 30th year as the boys’ head varsity track and field coach as well as pole vault, high jump and long jump coach. He has taught at Hilliard (now Davidson) since 1984, and in addition to his track coaching experience has also coached high school football (18 years), high school basketball (three years), and college track (two years.) He coached the first ever Ohio Division I female pole vault champion and state record holder, and his best team finish at the state meet is third.

Coach Smith is a 1984 graduate of Otterbein College, where he earned his teaching degree in Health Physical Education and General Science. While there he was an All-American track and field decathlete and four-year letter winner, a four-year football letter-winner, and the recipient of the Norris Elliot Award for Sports and Academics. He received his Master’s Degree in Sports Science from Ashland University.

Matt Beatty  - Women's Head Coach - Matt_Beatty@hboe.org

Coach Matt Beatty is entering his 14th year as girls’ head varsity track coach, after having served as an assistant coach in the program. In addition to his head coaching responsibilities he also works with the hurdlers and jumpers, and has coached the throws and sprinters in the past. He is also an assistant boys’ football coach.

Coach Beatty received his undergraduate degree in US History from The Ohio State University and his Teaching Certificate from Ohio Dominican University. While attending Ohio Dominican he was a Graduate Assistant for two years and an assistant coach of the men’s basketball program. He has taught Special Education at Pickerington Central High School and coached football, basketball and baseball at Pickerington North. 

Pat Schlecht (pictured above) - Distance Coach and Men's Head Cross Country Coach

Coach Pat Schlect is entering his 24th season as the Hilliard (now Davidson) track team distance coach and his 24th total season of coaching track. He is also the head coach of the Hilliard Davidson boys cross country team, a position he has held for the past 14 seasons.

Coach Schlect's distance runners are consistently amongst the best in the state in both cross country and track. The Davidson cross country team has qualified for the State Championship Meet the past nine years in a row, which includes four top-four finishes, a State Championship in 2002, and a State Runner-Up in 2008. The Davidson track team 4 x 1600 meter relay team from 2003 holds the State Record.

Coach Schlect teaches World Studies and Early World History at Davidson. He is a graduate of The Ohio State University, where he earned his teaching degree in Social Studies.


Todd Heinlen (pictured above) - Men's Sprints and Hurdles

Ryan Aleshire - (pictured above) - Men's Throws
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Team Philosophy:
The coaches of the Davidson track team are committed to instilling self discipline, reliability, sportsmanship, determination and a competitive spirit. We will do whatever we can to make you the best athlete you can be so our team is the best it can be. We will promote individual success, but never at the expense of the team; the team always comes first. With this in mind, your commitment to our program must equal our commitment to you and the team. During track season, our team always comes first.
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