Raising Champions: The 813 Elite Way

An open letter to our Elite families:

We’re so proud of what our athletes are building together—strength, discipline, and the confidence to compete at a high level. In just our first season, they’re already showing up with heart, grit, and championship energy.

But at 813 Elite, our mission goes far beyond medals and finish lines. We’re here to build strong, confident, and resilient young people—on and off the track. Track and field is our training ground, but the real goal is to give our athletes the tools to become the best human beings they can be.

That kind of growth doesn’t just come from drills and reps. It takes a team effort—and that’s where you, as parents and family members, play one of the most crucial parts. As coaches, we spend a lot of time reinforcing key messages to the athletes that we feel are important for their growth as athletes and as young people. That being said, we don’t always get to share how important your role is as parents and family members, so we’d like to do that now.

Trust the Process

Improvement doesn’t happen overnight. Your athlete may not PR every weekend, and that’s normal. The work they’re doing now—learning proper form, building consistency, gaining mental toughness—will pay off in ways that don’t always show up on a stopwatch right away. Be patient. Trust their journey. Celebrate the growth, not just the outcome.

Be Their Safe Space

Coaches are here to guide your athlete on technique, performance, and pushing through tough moments. At home, your role is just as powerful—being their encourager, their calm, and their reminder that they’re more than a result. After a long practice or a tough race, sometimes what makes the biggest difference is simply knowing that someone is proud of them—no matter what happened on the track.

Progress Over Perfection

No athlete has the same timeline for their journey. Some may shine early, while others take time to develop. There will be good days—and there will be tough ones. Setbacks, missed goals, and off days are all part of the process. What matters most is that your athlete keeps showing up, learning, and growing. That’s where true progress happens.

Every Step Counts

It’s not just about who wins the heat or gets the medal. It’s about showing up for practice, trying a new event, supporting a teammate, or giving full effort regardless of placement. Every rep builds strength. Every meet builds experience. Every role on this team matters—and your athlete’s journey is uniquely theirs to own and be proud of.

What Happens Off the Track Matters

Success in this sport requires more than training—it requires rest, good nutrition, hydration, and healthy routines at home. Help your athlete get the sleep they need, fuel their body properly, and manage their schedule so they can recover and perform. These habits support not only athletic development but also lifelong wellness.

Focus on the Journey

After a meet, try asking your athlete: “What did you learn today?” or “What felt good out there?” These kinds of questions invite reflection and pride in their progress. If we focus only on times and rankings, we miss the bigger picture—this sport is shaping who they’re becoming, not just how fast they can run or how far they can throw.

It’s Bigger Than Track and Field

The lessons our athletes are learning go far beyond sprints and throws. They’re building confidence, discipline, accountability, and resilience—skills that will serve them in school, relationships, and life. Track and field is just the environment; the transformation is much deeper. We’re here to help them grow into strong, thoughtful, capable human beings, and every meet, practice, and team moment is part of that process.

Thank you for trusting us—not just with your child’s athletic journey but with their growth as young people. It’s an honor we don’t take lightly.

At 813 Elite, we are more than a track club. We are a family. Every practice, every meet, every high-five and pep talk is part of something bigger than sport. It’s about building character, confidence, and community—together.

When we say “One Team, One Fight,” we mean it. Your support, encouragement, and belief in what we’re building fuels everything we do. We’re proud to stand beside you and your athlete every step of the way.