Coach Mo Basketball

Richard Obert The Arizona Republic Apr. 9, 2004 12:00 AM Mo knows, and that's why Phoenix Christian is starting to make Chandler Valley Christian's formidable track program sweat. Mo Streety, who became the head boys track and field coach this season, has worked with everybody from St. Louis Rams cornerback Aeneas Williams to Valley 12-year-olds in the need for speed. Now, with a stable of state champion football players, he's got the Cougars on track to give Valley Christian a challenge at the 2A state championships next month. Senior sprinter Nate Huss is among those who became believers of Streety's program. "Coach Mo is an amazing coach," said Huss, who has run track for only two years but should be among the favorites at state. "I have fun working with him. He's definitely gotten me faster." Streety has coached track at Moon Valley and Desert Vista and came to Phoenix Christian last year to help Jim Rattay in the football program and to assist the track program. He was handed the main track job this season, and he's still got time to work with pro athletes, using Phoenix Christian's facilities, along with Glendale Apollo's. Williams, Tampa Bay defensive end Simeon Rice, Chicago Bears receiver Bobby Wade and St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Tony Womack are among his clients. Streety also runs a five-on-five flag football league for youths aimed to help with their overall athleticism. "Phoenix Christian was so different," Streety said. "I was confronted with a bunch of kids who didn't know me or my system. They bought into the system, and coach Rattay told them about my background." Streety believes football and track go hand in hand in building the respective programs. Track works on speed, agility and quickness, some of the main qualities required in football. Huss was a top kicker in football and a top soccer player this past winter. Sam Ledford, who starred at tailback on the football team, is one of the best jumpers in Class 2A. And fullback/linebacker Kyle Gingg, the Small School football Player of the Year last season, adds depth to the relays and sprints. Quarterback Josh Schlueter is emerging as one of the top small-school hurdlers. The Cougars finished fifth at state last season. Some of the field events hurt them then. "I kind of handicapped the (state) meet," Streety said. "It's going to come down to Nate Huss and our jumpers. Nate has adapted to the lows and highs (hurdles). "I think Nate will medal in the 100 and the (400) quarter mile. He's the second best (400) quarter miler in 2A." Bourgade, Valley Christian, Tombstone and Phoenix Christian could all knock each other off in the sprints, Streety believes.

In a meet known for the sprints, the distance medley relay of Brant Frazee, Jack Vermeer, Alex Anderson & Paul Bell placed 5th at the Tempe Relays. All four ran fantastic legs (and they haven't even begun to speed train) in a heated showdown in the second section before a large crowd. In all, the Cougars relay teams held their own in a mostly large school meet.

Teams from Horizon Honors, Tempe Prep and Valley Lutheran joined the Cougars at Phoenix Christian for a four-way meet that was dominated by the Cougars. Everyone got into the act as the meet was intended to promote maximum participation in a competetive yet relaxed environment as coaches were also able to give their athletes "on the job training" during the meet.