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STA freshman Giggy Reardon knows that great advice is given on the track, but often even better is given at the dinner table.

Giggy competes at the varsity level of track in relays, individual running events, and long jump for St. Teresa’s. Her father, Mr. Jay Reardon, was a member of the Rockhurst High School state championship track team in both 1975 and 1976, and was state champion in triple jump, high jump, and long jump his senior year and was a member of the Kansas University track team. He now shares his interest with his youngest daughter, Giggy.

‘It has helped me a lot having my dad know so much about track because if I don’t have my steps down, I know that my dad is always at the end of the runway to help me out or tell me what to do,’ Giggy said.

According to Giggy, her father always has great advice to help her improve with track.

‘The best advice I’ve gotten from my dad would be that when you are doing long jump, don’t think about anything, just run and jump,’ Reardon said.

Even Giggy’s teammates have taken notice of the support her dad gives her. Freshman Clare Mitchell, who has been running track with Giggy since fifth grade, says that Reardon has always helped Giggy out with track, cheering her on and giving tips.

‘Mr. Reardon isn’t like one of those dads that’s always yelling obnoxiously from the stands, but always gives Giggy tips that actually help her and don’t stress her out,’ Mitchell said.

Even though Giggy puts in many hours of practice and conditioning with her STA coaches and teammates, her dad still helps her practice long jump at the track in her neighborhood on Sundays. The pair says that they always strives for success, and Reardon works hard to help Giggy meet her goals . Both father and daughter say that their goal before every meet they have had was to do better than they did the last time.

‘Every meet I wanted to beat the record for all three jumps, and my real goal was to be the state champion,’ Mr. Reardon said.

With a state championship long jump senior year of 25.1 feet, Mr. Reardon still has a few feet on Giggy’s current personal record of 16.5 feet. According to Giggy, no matter how far she goes or if she wins, he is always at her meets to support her.

‘It’s fun to watch, it’s fun to see her have success, but I hate to see her disappointed when she doesn’t do well,’ Mr. Reardon said.

According to Mitchell, Mr. Reardon helps Giggy in more ways than just instructing her in long jump. He doesn’t get down on her when she’s having a hard time, and always cheers her on.

‘One meet when Giggy’s calves were hurting, and she didn’t have very good jumps, Mr. Reardon stayed encouraging and never stopped being positive,’ Mitchell said.