New Coach Series: Meet Daniel's Jacob Wichelns

2022 South Carolina Track and Field
John Olson


Name and school 
Jacob Wichelns (Daniel)


How long have you been coaching? 
Track and field for three years. First year as Daniel head coach.


Did you compete in the sport at high school and/or college level? Please describe if so and experiences. Did this lead you to coaching?
I ran for six years at Daniel from seventh to twelfth grade, which played a monumental role in my decision to become a coach. I learned first hand how much a great coach, as well as the sport of Track and Field can impact a life positively.


What made you start coaching in South Carolina? 
South Carolina is home to me as I ran for Daniel High School as an athlete, as well.


How has the transition been for you? 
I have been blessed by a seamless transition. I worked under the previous Head coach Cosandar Griffin, who is a legend in her own rights. I am fortunate enough to have her support, a great group of athletes and coaches around me, and a brand new track facility being built.


Have you met other coaches in the state? Please explain the experience.
I have had the pleasure of meeting coaches such as Chris White, our current SCTCCCA president, Patrick Canterbury (Liberty) and Belton-Honea Path coach Caleb Stephensen. Every experience I've had with South Carolina coaches has displayed positivity, friendliness, helpfulness and most of all great sportsmanship.


What areas of focus do you have this season for track and field? 
Areas of focus for this season include two categories: off the track and on the track. Off the track I want to build and develop championship caliber character with the goal of using our sport to help our athletes become better people. I believe in helping athletes get a leg up on life through developing their character, moral, and responsibility, putting academics first, being a part of something bigger than themselves (team), create goals and take steps to achieve them and believing in yourself. On the track our focus is to win county, region, and state championships through developing championship caliber athletes.

View AAA cross country team rankings  | AAA cross country individual rankings | AAA track and field rankings


Do you coach other sports? Please mention the sport and how long. 
I coach seventh grade football at RC Edwards Middle School (head coach). I have been in this role for five years.


How important has a mentor been for you in the sport as a coach and athlete? Please explain your mentor relationship. 
As an athlete at Daniel I was coached by Jeff Fruster who played a monumental role in my future career path. Coach Fruster believed in achieving your goals through belief, grit, and determination. We won a South Carolina state championship together in 2012 and state runner up in 2013. As a coach I worked under the previous coach (Cosandar) Griffin, who is a legend in her own rights. Coach Griffin helped mold me into the coach I am today by teaching me how to build a standard and maintain a championship caliber program.


What's your coaching philosophy? 
My coaching philosophy is based on love and building relationships. I am a firm believer that building a strong coach-athlete relationship is the first step in building a positive culture. If we win, it's the kids. If we lose, it's on coaches. I think it's always important to understand that the goal of coaching is to use our sport to help kids go far in life through teaching-because no matter how far an athlete makes it, one day they will have to hang up the spikes.

Do you have team leaders? Please explain this and how it works. 
As a first year head coach I am implementing a new player-led leadership strategy this year. I am creating a leadership council where players vote for a representative from each group (throws, sprints, jumps, and distance). This group will meet with me in the beginning of the season and create and discuss our goals. We will continue to meet once a week and discuss our progress towards these goals and things we need to change or continue to do. This leadership council will serve as a bridge between the athletes and program leadership.

What goals do you have this season? 
Goals for this season include two categories: off the track & on the track. Off the track I want to build and develop championship caliber character with the goal of using our sport to help our athletes become better people. I believe in helping athletes get a leg up on life through developing their character, moral, and responsibility, putting academics first, being a part of something bigger than themselves (team), create goals and take steps to achieve them, and believing in yourself. On the track our goal is to win County, Region, and State Championships through developing championship caliber athletes.

Why do you coach from the start and how old were you? 
When I was 19 I started coaching to make a difference, which is still the reason I coach today. I want to help influence young men and women's lives for the better.

What meets are you looking to have your team be ready for this year? 
County, region, and state. The rest is glorified practice!!

How many athletes are on your team? 
Around 90. 

What would you like to see happen in the sport in South Carolina? Please explain. 
While SCrunners does an absolutely amazing job covering our sport, I would love to see more coverage of South Carolina track and field in general. South Carolina track and field athletes compete at a high level year in and year out, and I would love to see a bigger spotlight on our athletes. Things like news articles and television broadcasts of state meets would be awesome for the athletes.

What's your motivation for this season and the future? 
My motivation is the potential growth of the kids. I see so much potential for growth whether it be in their marks on the track, or their growth as a person. This is what continues to drive me.

What do you think of the indoor opportunities in the state? 
I am very appreciative of the indoor meets run by some of the local universities. With saying that, it would be awesome if indoor track could become an official high school sport in South Carolina.

What do you tell athletes about college track and field and the recruiting process? What's this process like for you as a coach? 
I encourage as many athletes as possible to consider running track in college. The process can be very time intensive as a coach, but is also some of the most rewarding work. With our program's goal being to help athlete's get a leg up in life, there is nothing I love more than helping an athlete compete at the next level. We were extremely thankful to have five athletes sign with colleges last year and continuing this trend is a huge goal of mine.