Post Tribune

 

By David Robb

UNION TOWNSHIP

You'd think Taylor Gilles would have grown tired of hearing about the 1976 Olympics long ago.

You'd think Rhonda Anderson, once a wide-eyed 16-year-old Olympic hurdler, would have regaled her daughter with endless stories of her experiences as the youngest member of the U.S. women's track team at the Montreal Games.

But Gilles, a 16-year-old sophomore hurdler at Wheeler, doesn't hear too many stories about her mom, who also happens to be her coach.

"When I talk about the Olympics," Anderson said, "it's to motivate or inspire."

So Gilles could tell you all about Gail Devers, who overcame Graves' disease to capture Olympic gold three times. Or Jackie Joyner-Kersee, who didn't let childhood poverty, personal tragedy or exercise-induced asthma keep her from becoming arguably the greatest female athlete of all time.

"I hear that one a lot," Gilles said.

The daughter of an Olympic hurdler and long-time track coach, Gilles naturally gravitated toward the exact event her mom once ran in front of a worldwide audience. She saw her mom coach the Lew Wallace girls to three consecutive state titles from 1992-94, and runner-up finishes in 1995 and '97.

But she didn't see her mom coach the Roosevelt boys from 2003-05. By then, Gilles had begun her own track career at Union Township Middle School.

"I missed all her meets, and I felt so bad about that," Anderson said. "I wanted to see my daughter run and help with her track career."

So Anderson, a Calumet grad and Gary native, resigned her post at Roosevelt and followed her daughter to Union Township, where she served as a volunteer assistant in 2006 and '07. Last year, Anderson followed her daughter to Wheeler, where she served as a varsity assistant.

This year, Anderson took over the Bearcats' program, which features one of the area's top hurdlers: her daughter.

"It brings us closer," Gilles said. "We kind of see another side of each other."

In her daughter, Anderson sees plenty of herself, right down to her powerful strides.

"I could see early that there was potential," Anderson said. "She's very explosive. She has a lot of power and she has a lot of ability."

As a freshman, Gilles narrowly missed qualifying for state in the 100 meters. Seeded 16th heading into regionals, Gilles finished fourth. So coming up hundredths of a second short of state was hardly a disappointment.

"It was a surprise," Gilles said. "I was excited about that."

After competing in the 100 and 300 sprints and hurdles last year, Gilles will focus solely on the hurdles this season. Her goal is to make state in the 100 and 300 hurdles.

"She's getting better every year, but this last week she's really picked it up," Anderson said. "I think she definitely has a shot to make it to state in both events. It's definitely doable."

Last month, Gilles won the 55 hurdles and 55 dash in a qualifying meet for the indoor state championship. Last week, in the Bearcats' first outdoor meet, Gilles ran a time in the 100 hurdles that would have gotten her to state last year.

"Where she goes from here depends on how badly she wants it and how much she's willing to work," Anderson said. "But the potential is definitely there."

And the genes.

Contact David Robb at 648-3122, drobb@post-trib.com or visit his blog at blogs.post-trib.com/robb.

P-T rankings

Boys

1. Merrillville

Surprise, surprise, the Pirates are loaded again.

2. Valparaiso

The only DAC foe that can challenge Merrillville.

3. Chesterton

Trojans impressed in DAC Indoor Championships.

4. Lowell

Red Devils have depth to score in every event.

5. Crown Point

Hurdles, distance and relays should be strengths.

GIRLS

1. Lake Central

Indians are legitimate state title contenders.

2. Valparaiso

Vikings are legitimate threat to LC in DAC.

3. Merrillville

Rebecca Neville leads senior-laden squad.

4. Chesterton

Trojans boast strong core of sprinters.

5. Kankakee Valley

Kougars aim for second straight sectional title.