Nansemond River High School track and field coach Justin Byron recently spoke at a national track and field conference.

The United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association recently asked the Team WAR coach to come speak at a conference in Phoenix, Ariz. Byron, also known as “JB,” spoke among many national high school and college coaches.

His topic of choice was holistic development in athletes. Byron mentioned that most coaches preach the “X’s and O’s” of the sport, which is important. But he also feels the holistic development is equally necessary.

“Improvement can be measured statically; however, true development is a commitment to the positive holistic change in trajectory,” Byron said. “We have to stop rushing the athlete’s ceiling but instead look at ways we can raise the ceiling.”

The USTFCCA was so impressed with Byron’s presentation that they have welcomed him to speak at other conferences that they have as well.

The Warriors coach has been a part of the program for the last seven years. In that time, Byron has turned Nansemond River into a nationally recognized powerhouse. They have won five state championships, hold numerous state records and boast multiple All-Americans.