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	Testimonials for the Arizona Flames:
	I am so proud of our team! Just look at what you have built. We have a great club and we are sending so many young athletes to championship meets. You have done so much, not just for the kids, but, for all of us open and masters athletes. Where would we be without the vision you had, that you brought into reality? Thank you James for everything you have done for us and God bless you. Go Flames! GS 2009 This was my sons first year on the Arizona Flames Track Club. The coaches and staff taught my child the skills and techniques necessary to become competitive in this sport. He has developed the discipline and desire to want to be his best. As parents, we appreciate all the time the coaches have dedicated to the team and we will be looking forward to next season. Thank you. PEE 2009 My daughter competed last weekend in the state championships. She had qualified to participate in five events, and had to drop out of the 100m dash. Instead she ran the first leg of the 4x100 and her team placed fifth with a time of 49.76. She also placed fifth in the long jump with a 17.03.50. Her PR for long jump is 17.07. She came in second in the 100m hurdles with a 14.49; she ran a 14.69 in the prelims; her first time breaking 15. She is the Colorado State Champion for the 300m hurdles with a time of 44.63. She ended her high school season well! Please let Coach James and Coach Laranzo know how Kalie did; they had asked that she keep them informed. She still has fond memories of working with them during her week of spring break; they are both great coaches. Thanks again for organizing that for her. Their input was invaluable. KK 2009 Thank you so much for a great season. I had alot of fun. Thanks for spending so much time coaching me, I really appreciate it. I had a really great track season. AF 2009 I would like to personally thank Coach James and the rest of the AZ Flames staff for all they have done with my kids so far this year. The AZ Flames is a great club and I’m glad we are a part of it. This past weekend the Phoenix Invitational Track Meet was quite a spectacle. I certainly never got a chance to participate in anything like that when I was a little kid. We are really looking forward to the rest of the season. Keep up the good work coach and thanks once again. WC 2008 This was my first year doing track with the AZ Flames. It really helped me play football. Last week I scored 4 touchdowns: 3 for rushing and 1 from an interception. The week before that I took one to the house for 92 yards and the week before that I score a touchdown from over 72 yards. The team is doing well right now as we are undefeated at 4-0 and this weekend we are trying to go 5-0. My goal for next year is to work on the triple jump and continue to work on my form so I can get better and faster in the 100m & 200m. I also want to go to the Jr. Olympic Nationals. It seems like every time I get the football in my hands no one can catch me. I really love that feeling of being the fastest player on the football field and I think your coaching me had a lot to do with it. Thanks Coach James. EYJR 2007 I really appreciate Coach James and the teams support of my daughter during her sickness. She misses track very much, but still feels part of the team. This is so important during this time for her. She takes a lot of pride in her running and I am glad that, through your support, she still has that even when she cannot participate fully. Her friends on the team have been of great support to her as well. The team you have created is such a great group. You have taught them the importance, not only of personal achievement, but of team support. Thank you for your leadership!! BK 2008 My daughter has been competing in USATF track and field since she was 7 years old. The Arizona Flames Track Club is her third club. She is now an Intermediate Girl (15 – 16 age group). Last year she was injured most of her high school season with a quad strain. I did not expect much with her USATF season, I was just hoping she could reach the same marks from the previous season. I was impressed with the AZ Flames club and their ability to train in all events of Track and Field. She competed in the Heptathlon for the first time this year. Training for all seven events is difficult and most athletes need to train outside of their club to maintain success in all events. She was able to complete all of her training with the AZ Flames. In addition to that, she improved in 7 of her 8 events. (The 8th event tied her best mark) At the Junior Olympic Regional Meet she won all seven events of the Heptathlon. Considering she was only able to train for 6 week before this competition, I was impressed with the AZ Flames training. She also improved in the Triple Jump and scored as well in her individual events. I highly recommend the AZ Flames Track Club to everyone who is interested in Track and Field. Of the three clubs that I have been involved with, the AZ Flames is the most organized so that the athletes are able to excel in the field events as well as the running events. The coaches are able to keep all athletes motivated to work at their own individual level. James Smith organizes excellent practices which work on conditioning, speed, running and field events technique and most importantly the athletes have fun. SP2007 I have been on the AZ Flames track club for 5 years and have loved it ever since. I’ve made many friends and I’m always looking forward to practice. My times have improved by two or more seconds every year except for last year when I had back surgery for Scoliosis. I missed most of the season and couldn’t stand sitting on the stands watching everyone but me. So I started practicing on my own and it wasn’t easy. Once released by my doctor, I returned to the team practices and was finally able to run in my 1st track meet. I ran the 100m and the 4x400m and I was very successful in both of them. I only ran in 5 track meets and did better than most people who had run all season. In that same season, I qualified to go to Nationals for the 1st time. There I made a huge personal record in the 400m. I went from 1:04 to 59.82. Thanks to Coach James, Coach Jay, Coach Ben, Coach Joe, Coach Gerald, and Coach Ed for all the help and encouragement that helps me be the great runner that I am. THANK YOU!!!!!!!DL2007 “As a new Masters track and field athlete I found that the Arizona Flames Track Club and Coach James Smith helped me learn basic and more advanced techniques, exercises and warmups. Club members and coaches supported me at local track meets, and encouraged me to compete and to set aggressive goals. I feel that my association with the Flames was a major contributor to my early success as a Masters athlete.” Doug Thompson, All-American, 800 meters. Our daughter has always wanted to run distance and we have searched for coaching of the caliber of James Smith. She responds to the firm, but affirming coaching of Mr. Smith. She has learned body control and control of her stride. Her times have improved substantially with a trip to the National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships in Spokane, Washington. She set a goal and earned a personal record 25 seconds off her old record at the championships despite inclimate conditions. On the other side of the coin, I have been training with Coach James in preparation for my second full marathon. The training has taught me to use my arms for more power and other muscle groups in my legs making my long training runs far more successful. At 48 years old, I will probably never break any world records, but I am able to run half and full marathons within my goal times and without injury. If there was one wish I had for the Flames it would be for improved publicity to attract more athletes and additional high caliber coaching staff. No one will be disappointed participating in this organization. GK2007 Our son has benefited greatly from his experience as a member of the Arizona Flames Track Club. Not only has he been able to improve his skills in hurdling, long jump and speed running but his ability to perform under pressure has improved greatly. He is considered a leader among other youth on the team and he continues to grow more confident each year. This has translated in his other athletic endeavors and his work in school as well. Thank you Coach James and the Arizona Flames family for making my son’s experience an enjoyable one where he has been able to overcome his asthma and learn to cope with it as a competitive athlete. AW2007 I would say that the Flames club has helped me quite a bit in my efforts to improve my personal performance. The skills James and the other coaches teach have helped me improve my technique and efficiency, while the great supportive atmosphere has encouraged me to work harder. I have made friends among other club members and I enjoy watching the younger runners and seeing their improvement. I think you provide a great service at a very affordable price – I’m sure you don’t cover all of the time and expenses you incur.DT2007