by Shawn Nowlin
Helping a student-athlete transition from a raw prospect to fulfilled potential is what David Cabbler enjoys most about being a high school track and field coach. Freshmen Xavier Harrington and Tyrese Leftwich, sophomores Kamora Jones and Aleyshia Watson, junior Micah Jones and seniors Chris Nelson and Tyriq Poindexter were the athletes that he got a chance to work with this year.
At the start of the season he asked all of them the same three questions: How committed are you to the journey? Are you willing to do what’s required to be the ultimate teammate? Do you have what it takes to accept full accountability for your actions?
Born and raised in Roanoke, Cabbler, 39, attended Northside High School graduating in 2000 with a track and field scholarship to East Tennessee State. During his four years in Johnson City, Cabbler says he learned countless life skills that he utilizes to this day.
“I feel that track gave me balance and has always kept me grounded and humble,” he said. “My college experience was sort of a culture shock because I grew up in a very sheltered environment. College helped me spread my wings and see how other people lived and thought. Overall it was a great experience!”
Cabbler’s athletic background gives him a unique perspective when it comes to coaching teenagers. When he began his coaching career in 2008 it was at his alma mater, Northside High, a position he held for ten years. Last year, Cabbler joined the William Fleming High track and field coaching staff to assist Coach Vineyard and Coach Cooper.
“Coaching has always been about the kids for me,” said Cabbler. Over the years I’ve learned how to individualize training for athletes with different strengths and weaknesses. Of the current athletes that he coaches, Cabbler says his relationship with Micah extends the longest followed by Nelson and Leftwich.
“I have coached Micah for seven years. He is a very funny young man, who motivates his teammates and has been one of the hardest workers I have ever been around,” Cabbler said. “Chris brings the leadership to the team, is very humble and is constantly looking for ways to improve. Tyrese is a freshman this year, but I see a lot of potential in him as he will do any workout asked of him, is humble and very coachable. He is the future at Fleming.”
For the Colonels to accomplish their team goals each year, everyone involved must buy-in and embrace their role. One thing Cabbler says he’ll never forget is the way his athletes persevered through the coronavirus pandemic.
“Whether mentally, emotionally or physically, all of our student-athletes were impacted in some way. Learning virtually comes to mind, the time away from friends, limited opportunities to compete, the uncertainty about everything and even the strain of having to be at home a lot more were the difficulties my athletes expressed to me.”
On March 2, William Fleming participated in the VHSL Class 5 State Indoor Track & Field Championships in Virginia Beach. A detailed look at how each athlete fared can be found at va.milesplit.com. Despite the recent success on the field, Cabbler is the first to say that there’s more work to be done. That same drive is also shared by Coach Vineyard and Coach Cooper.
“I have continued to coach because I surround myself with great coaches that have extensive knowledge in track and field. Coach Vineyard has taught me a lot about longevity in the sport as well as tailoring workout sessions so that each athlete achieves their presective best results at the end of the season,” added Cabbler. “Coach Cooper, who I have been coaching with for seven years, brings consistent structure, vision and that no-nonsense approach that some of our kids desperately need.”
