There is much to prepare for in helping Liberty’s track athletes return to work for their upcoming 2025 season. The new head coach, Tashina Steggall (she/her), has goals for the athletes. These include getting them ready for their next step, developing new traditions and getting to know the team on a personal level to help make them feel like more of a community.
Although she was involved in track and field from middle school through college, she started her college career path wanting to explore the medical field. She later discovered her passion for coaching during her senior year of college.
“My college coach was a big reason as to why I went into coaching. Just being able to have that influence and being able to work together to make connections with people, helping them realize what they’re capable of,” said Steggall.
Steggall grew up in Iowa and moved to Minnesota for her coaching job at Macalester College. She returned to Iowa with her husband after his job was relocated. This transition led her to realize that she was open to coaching high school track. Not only would it help her grow as a coach, but it would also grow the knowledge and talent of her athletes.
“I think high school coaching kind of found me, but I’m super excited to be at this level,” Steggall said.
The background of being a college coach can help Liberty’s athletes get a head start. The team will now know how to prepare for the next level of their athletic career, talk about recruitment processes and know more about the logistics of track and field. Stegall is learning how to navigate the change in approach to coaching from collegiate athletes to high schoolers. However, she is thrilled to get started with the 2025 season.
“I’m excited to develop a powerhouse team. I think that we have a lot of great talent and a lot of talent that probably hasn’t been touched yet,” said Steggall.
Her perspective on coaching helps the team feel confident and ready to go. She views coaching with a positive attitude, along with a passion that is rare to find.
“I think that as human beings in general, we just underestimate ourselves. And so just being that supporter and kind of motivating and pushing people, I feel like you’re never going to grow without being challenged, so being able to provide those things,” said Steggall.
Not only will she focus on Liberty’s athletic performance, but with this new role of head track coach, she will also be working in the office as a school facilitator. This is a new position at Liberty, which she has taken over. Her main goal in that position is to help improve attendance.
These new changes at Liberty will not only benefit athletes but the entire student body.
