Anderson helps success breed success

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Cary-Grove senior-to-be Carly Loeffel likes when former Trojans girls track and field athletes, even some from the 1970s, come back to talk about tradition with the current team.

“I’m proud of us for keeping that tradition going,” said Loeffel, who tied for fifth in the Class 3A high jump at the IHSA Girls State Track and Field Meet. “And it’s all because [coach Mark Anderson] has such a great reputation and people want to be a part of it.”

C-G has a good thing going in a lot of sports, and girls track is high on that list. The Trojans took track’s triple crown again this spring – winning team titles in the McHenry County, Fox Valley Conference and Class 3A Hononegah Sectional meets – and for their success, Anderson is a repeat winner as the Northwest Herald Girls Track and Field Coach of the Year.

C-G pulled off the same triple last season, but was even more impressive this time, winning by wider margins.

“I want the girls to embrace the whole tradition of the program and feel like they’re doing their part,” Anderson said. “We have great athletic success at C-G, and success breeds success. The kids all want to be part of Cary-Grove’s success.”

The Trojans did their part, with Anderson leading the way. He also received the honor in 2002, 2004 and 2009. Anderson has been a dynamic force and usually has C-G’s track and cross country teams near the top of the FVC.

Anderson credits his assistants Dave Otto and Mike Marchewka, along with volunteers Jack Kalivoda, Ashley Ross, Nick Camporese and Steve Schoof.

“It’s a good team effort,” Anderson said. “The girls work hard, the parents support everything and the coaches pull the whole thing off.”

C-G had more than 90 girls on the team this spring, a factor Loeffel attributes to Anderson’s personality.

“He does everything,” Loeffel said. “He always makes us see it as a team effort, he brings everyone together and makes it a collective effort. At varsity meets, all the JV girls come, and at JV meets, all the varsity girls go support them. He’s built a great reputation.”