By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
YEATESVILLE — Instead of wearing a whistle and yelling at people, this “Sarge” wears a smile and cheers for his people.
Northside High School track and field coach Charlie Woolard, known as “Sarge” to his student-athletes, led his Panthers to another successful season. He did it through hard work, encouragement and that never-failing smile.
Woolard led his Northside girls team to a conference championship and a runner-up finish at the regional meet. He also took four individuals and two relay teams to the state meet.
Because of his success, along with showing loyalty to his athletes and being a positive force in high school athletics, Woolard was chosen as the Washington Daily News’ Female Track Coach of the Year.
Woolard, also the cross country coach at Northside, said it’s the young athletes who keep him motivated.
It’s likewise for the young athletes.
Lewis said she developed a close bond with Woolard in her first year of high school and it only grew stronger from there.
While losing talented seniors like Lee and Lewis, Woolard hopes to build on the team’s success in the future.
It’s not about the ribbons or the trophies for Woolard. Instead, it’s about helping to mold his student-athletes into being the best people they can be — on and off the playing field.