Manjula Wijesekara - 2004 Olympian, All American (multiple times), 2009 Asian high jump champion (PR: 2.27mts / 7'5 1/4")
 I have worked with many different coaches so far, but Hugo is definitely is the most talented, knowledgeable, experienced and understandable coach that I ever worked with. Hugo can understand athletes, see their talents and know how to work with them individually. Even though I only have worked one year and half so far with him, it has been a great year for me. I improved a lot. Especially, now I'm more consistent over the bar and feel like I have more room to improve. I am happy and looking forward to work with you over the next few years. Thank you very much Hugo!
NOTE: To see Manjula's before and after video please click HERE
John A. & Donna A. – Atlanta, Georgia
John A. – Atlanta, Georgia: Track season 2010 was full of improvement in my high jump career – all thanks to Coach Hugo! During the summer of 2009, I visited Minnesota to work with and learn from Coach Hugo; we worked in one-on-one sessions for two days. He drastically changed my technique and I could see the improvement before even departing Minnesota. Once I completed football season, I began a regimen of training using Hugo’s long-distance weekly workouts. By the end of the season, I had improved my person best by four inches! I placed second in my region and qualified for the state meet. I look forward to continuing to improve during my junior year in high school. Hugo truly has been excellent in his support of my high jump career!
Donna A. (John's Mom)– Atlanta, Georgia: What a blessing Coach Munoz has been in our son’s life. Prior to finding Hugo, John was doing his best, but without a coach’s expertise. Once we found Hugo and visited him in Minnesota, things began to change completely, regarding John’s jumping. In addition to Hugo e-mailing us weekly workout plans for John’s specific needs, he called frequently and was always available for John to phone him with questions. During high profile meets, Hugo and I even kept in contact via text. What a great coach! John’s on the right track and we look forward to seeing Hugo again this summer and working with him next spring.
Liza
Hugo, just wanted to write to thank you for Max (my son) for the wonderful camp. He was so happy when he left, he learned a lot and really liked how you explained things to him. I am sure you will see him again. Thanks again, We were both impressed!
Dani
Hi Hugo!! I am emailing you is to let you know that I just jumped 5' 5"!!!!!!!
THANK YOU for helping me reach my new PR and THANK YOU for always believing in me!! I'll see you Sunday and you can bet I’ll be wearing my new Teneo high jump spikes.
Kelsey
I have had the privilege to work with Hugo for the past year and a half and the only regret that I have is that it is coming to an end. Hugo is one of the best coaches anyone could ask for. His experience as coach and as a former Olympian, allows him to share a lifetime's worth of training and apply it to the technique of his athletes. During the off season, I will admit my butt was kicked, but it was necessary. From September until the beginning of the season, Hugo gave challenging but not impossible workouts that turned me into a stronger, well-prepared jumper. He teaches each of us to understand our boundaries; when to push them and when it is time to take a break. I never liked the latter but he could always tell and would have me rest up until I was ready to go (his caring demeanor refused to let any of his athletes get hurt). By the time the track season rolled around he offered his guidance once more, holding weekend sessions to make sure I was getting all that I could out of my jump, and I had a wonderful finale for my high school career. I made it to finals at sections, set two personal records, and had a great time improving my high jump by five inches and my triple jump by more than a foot. Without Hugo's help, none of this would have been possible.
The Kangaroo Track Club is a great place for those who want to improve. That is why everyone goes, is to get better and being surrounded by a group of driven, hardworking people just makes it that much easier to learn. I would recommend this program to anyone who likes track and field.
Have a good one!
Enjoy your adventures.
Derek
Training with Hugo two times a week was an amazing privilege that not every athlete gets the opportunity to do. His kindness and love he shows for the sport of Track and Field and for his athletes is remarkable. Day in and day out he makes sure that his athletes are doing well. You do not come across a coach like this very often, maybe not at all. I have had the great opportunity to work with Hugo for two years. Not only have I learned about the sport of Track and Field and college information, he has built a lot of character in me that will stay with me forever. His generosity and kindness to all of his athletes that he shows is not something that goes unrecognized.
I am so thankful to have met you Hugo! You have been a great coach, teacher and mainly a friend. I just want to thank you for all of your hard work and wish you the best of luck in the future!
Note from Derek's Mom: Hi Hugo, my husband & I want to thank you for all the great advice and support you have provided for our son Derek! You were extremely helpful when it came to sorting through college jumping options for Derek. Derek was always comfortable going to you for advice and guidance. The expertise and technique you provided him in high jump over the past two years was invaluable to him in securing his third consecutive state title to end his prep career. It was fun to also see Derek excel in the triple jump this year after his introduction to this event last summer at one of your camps! Derek was thrilled to make it to state this year in this event. You have truly been an inspiration and blessing to Derek!
Dylan
I came to the jump clinic/camp with just one season of experience as a high jumper and I wanted to get better at it. Within one week Hugo was able to break down everything about my form, in both the run up and the jump, and could explain it in an easy to understand fashion. Getting one on one criticism from him allowed me to better understand what I needed to work on for the next season. Watching videos of what I was doing wrong, and being able to watch how the other jumpers performed were valuable visuals that allowed me to see the difference in what I was doing currently versus what I needed to be doing. The next track season rolled around, and I was able to dig up my notes from the clinic. I worked on everything he had told me about, and with help from my coach was able to correct some of the errors. By the end of the season I was able to win the sectional meet with a jump of 6'5'', and finished 6th at the state meet with a jump of 6'4''.
Thanks Hugo
Derek
Hi, my name is Derek and I spent about three to four months working with Hugo Munoz as part of the Kangaroo High Jump Club doing high jump. I worked with him both in one-on-one sessions as well as in the summer camps for about two months. These were both amazing experiences as not only having the opportunity to work with someone as distinguished as Mr. Munoz but to be able to learn from him. He has so much knowledge of the jump that it can be overwhelming. He can see things in real time that I could only see after watching the video three or four times and comparing it to other peoples jumps. Hugo was able to help me feel new things in my jump that I could never feel before and the result of doing this correctly is inches over the bar. I would highly recommend this program to any jumper that wants that extra push to get going in the sport. This means everyone from beginners to experts. The earlier the better. I know it's cliché but it's harder to break bad habits latter down the road. Mr. Munoz was able to help me tie the 28 year old record at my high school (PB: 6'7") as well as take second place in the section 1AA state meet for 2008. Again, I would highly recommend Hugo to all jumpers.
Sophie
Hugo,
Yesterday was the Big 9 Conference, and I just wanted to say thank you so much because the training really paid off! I triple jumped 36' 2.5" to get a school record, and win the meet which was very exciting and surprising, considering I have never even jumped a 35' before. That puts me first in our section and eighth in state, and would be an automatic state qualifier too! I also won the 100, 200, and 400, so it was overall an exciting day.
Again, thank-you for helping me with the triple jump because it clearly improved my distance by a considerable amount.
Connie
Hey Hugo,
Just wanted to thank you and let you know that my daughter really enjoyed the Day High Jump Camp on 7/19. She learned a lot and said she "didn't know what I didn't know!" It was fun to watch the video and we forwarded that on to her high school jump coaches. It is awesome to have your expertise so close to home and thank you for sharing it with the kids. We'll be back for more!
Thanks again,
Coach Steve Johnson
Mr. Munoz,
I just wanted to thank you again for helping with Eric yesterday; what he and I learned was amazing. His confidence level is extremely high; like he said "when I do it right it is effortless".
Again, thank you so much for the help; Eric is excited about the season and I learned more in an hour and a half than I have in five years of coaching.
On Eric Johnson making it to the MN state championship......
Mr. Munoz,
Hi, I wanted to thank you again for the training session you had with Eric in April it was a dramatic change in high jumping style for him. We have had a very successful season, Eric has finished in the top three at every meet this season and has set a new PB at 6'. He has also qualified for the state track meet this coming weekend.
Katy & Rick
Hi Coach,
I know that my daughter already called you from the meet on Tuesday, but we also wanted to thank you for your excellent coaching. Her progress in high jump is due to the techniques you have taught her. I wanted you to know that after she cleared 5'2", she walked up to me and said, "This FEELS good!" I reminded her about what you had told her about knowing how high jumps should feel, and she smiled and nodded, obviously thinking the same thing.
She had no misses through 5'7", and she missed only once at 5'8" before clearing it. This is a new school record and a new record for the school track for all competitions held there. She is currently tied for first on the State Honor Roll.
You did it, Coach. Thanks for helping make this possible for her.
Eva
Hi Coach-
I just wanted to let you know that I got third at state this year. It was very fun and exciting and it means that I'm first team all state b/c not very many athletes from the other divisions jumped higher than me. At our school, the people who make first team all state get their picture put up on the wall in one of the hallways and they stay there until the school gets taken down I guess. I've stood and looked at all the people many many times and now I get to be one. So thank you again for all of your help. I really doubt I could have done this without the work you did with me.
Thanks again, I hope to see you soon.
The Johnson Family
Dear Hugo,
Thank you so very much for the kind words of congratulations to your athletes who are continuing their success in track and field at the collegiate level. I know Kale would not be there were it not for the many hours she spent in training with you. It genuinely was a pleasure getting to know you and your family and spending time with other families of the Kangaroo Track Club. How incredibly fortunate we are to have you in Minnesota! Your dedication to your athletes is indescribable. When I think back to the first year that Kale trained with you, I remember the numerous hours you worked to help her overcome the “mental” aspect of a difficult competition. You went above and beyond that of teaching her the skills to be a successful high jumper. We are forever grateful.
Sincerely,
Chris, Steve and Kale Johnson
Robert Wagner and Valerie Lindenmuth (online HJ video analysis)
Hugo,
Just a quick note to let you know that yesterday Valerie Lindenmuth finally cleared 5'4" for the first time (after being stuck at 5'2" for 4 years!) It was particularly special because this was her senior year, she did it at the state championship meet, and she won.
We both feel that it was your coaching and advice, (based upon your review of her videos) that allowed her to finally break through, and in fact, had she been able to attend your camp last summer, as I encouraged her to do, she probably would have broken through earlier. Nevertheless, that she was able to close out her high school career (after getting 4th as a freshman, 3rd as a sophomore, and 2nd as a junior) with a gold medal and a PR meant very much to her and her family. Valerie has signed with Southern Methodist University and plans to compete in the heptathlon.
Please accept our heartfelt thanks, and best wishes to you and the Kangaroo Club.
Leena
Hugo,
I thought that both high jumping and long jumping with you was a very fun and helpful experience. It was great that you pushed me to jump higher and farther. I improved so much over those 6 weeks with you, and I would really like to keep jumping for a long time. It is such a tremendous feeling that I finally found a coach who really knows what he's doing. It especially helps that you always know what is good and what is bad for my body while working out, because you have already dealt with it all. I would also be very interested in joining you in the pre-season, which would help me so much during the regular season.
Thank you for an awesome year!
Mara Syman
Hey Hugo,
Thank you so much for all of the incredible coaching. I had a really great time at the camp and the clinic. Those two weeks of high jumping were very helpful. I liked how many jumps we got to take in one session, and being able to listen to what needs to change and then fix it right away. I have heard you talk about so many helpful things in the past, but being able to work on them with you there while I am jumping has made all the difference. I finally know what it feels like to have a good jump. I learned a lot, met some great people, and had a really fun time, thank you. Also, thanks for being so flexible, I am glad I was able to participate. Keep me updated on anything in the future.
Tim Yeh
Dear Hugo,
The jump camp was a great experience. I really liked the relaxed/open atmosphere where we could have time between jumps to visualize and make adjustments. I also liked the simplicity of the camp activities (passing and complete TJs) because it gave me a chance to focus on the fundamentals. After looking at my jumps on the Kangaroo Track website, I can tell my hop phase is much improved. In those four days, my takeoff angle improved more than it had in the past three years. As far as making the camp better...I really can't think of anything :)
Hasta Luego.
Barry Erichsen
Hi Hugo,
My son felt that he gained a lot from your advice and that it was a great experience. He's usually so laid back that it is hard to tell if he is excited about something. I could tell after yesterday that he is looking forward to putting his new knowledge to use. Sometimes it is tough to inspire kids, however you have been able to inspire my son. He had a lot of fun.
Thanks Again.
David Rynda
Dear Hugo,
As a Computer Science major and a technology enthusiast, I must say I thought one of the best features at this camp was the videos you shot and used as an aide in showing us what we were doing well, doing wrong and could do better in. Another aspect I really like about your coaching style, was that you taught not only why we jump the way we do, but how it should feel, which is perspective I have never been taught in previously. The thing I took away from this camp that I feel put my jump together nicely was adding the overhand technique, rather than double-handing. This made my legs push outward rather than upward and I was able to maintain my velocity much better and go a lot farther. In addition, while accelerating, throwing my arms back rather than forward was a beneficial addition to my jumping arsenal. I am excited to keep practicing and perfecting the things I've learned at this camp at will frequent the site for videos of myself, other athletes, and pros to see how I can further improve.
A thousands thanks and see you during the season!
Chuck and Alex Bavis
Alex and I can't thank you enough for your hospitality, and expertise in helping him understand what the high jump is, and what he needs to do to be successful. Alex is already planning on how he can work in your clubs workout into his practice regime somehow.
We spent some time going over the videos I took, and analyzing it which really seemed to help him understand the things he did right and wrong. It brought back points you covered in you lectures and videos.
Alex and I enjoyed meeting all the club members, and hope to follow their successes this season, they're great kids.
We do truly look forward to a return trip to Minneapolis sometime in the near future.
Thanks again Hugo!
Brian Schletty
Hugo, thanks a million for what you have done for my triple jump in the short span of 3 weeks. I couldn't be happier with how far you've taken me. Important elements of the jump that I hadn't been able to accomplish in the past 14 years that I've doing the event, you helped me to achieve in the matter of a few hours. I honestly believe you have seen me along to the breakthrough I've been looking for, which would likely have been otherwise unattainable without a good coach like you. It has paid off for me to shed some of my preconceptions of the event and to absorb the new perspectives you have offered. You are very good at communicating the sensation of triple jumping, putting it into effective terms. You serve the important reminder that, in order to succeed at the event, jumping must become a lifestyle. I appreciate what I have learned about some of the subtle, yet all important, aspects of the jump--things I had overlooked in the past. Your camp has helped me to improve more quickly than I could have ever imagined. In the first day alone, as the video clearly shows, you had me already changed all around for the better. I am much more relaxed and confident with my jumping now. I look forward to passing on what I have learned to the athletes I coach. I recommend your camp whole-heartedly. You are a people person. Other athletes are sure to appreciate your genuine passion for the sport, your relaxed, patient, and positive feedback-driven style of coaching, and the resultant gains they will make with their jumping. Thanks again, and I'm sure I will continue to get with Kangaroo Track Club.
Autumn Adkins
I really appreciated the camp very much. I've been jumping wrong for 4 years and you helped me know how to change the way I jumped. I knew what I was doing wrong but I didn't know how to change it. I would definitely recommend the camp to any who is having problems with high jump!
Thanks!
Terese Ragaller
I just wanted to let you know that I loved coming to the camp. Today, being Monday, it felt so weird not going out to Apple Valley at 6 to go to high jump, I missed it, so I thought you did an excellent job at coaching and making it enjoyable. I think one of the things that I liked most about the camp was that you seemed to grow a bond between every single high jumper and knew what each one needed and what encouragement needed to be said to help them improve. I also was wondering if you could keep me up to date on the pre-season stuff, because that would help out a lot. Thanks again and I'll probably be seeing you on Wednesday!
Jennifer Christy
I thought that the Kangaroo Track Club summer camp was great. I would go back again. I think that the most valuable aspect of the camp for me was teaching me to lean more on the turns and to relax more. The coaching was great too. I would recommend this camp to people because you learn a lot there.
Warren Eickhoff, former University of Washington jumper (PB: 7-0 3/4)
To talk about Coach Munoz is a bit of a challenge simply because there are so many good things for me to say about him as a coach and an individual. As a collegiate high jumper at the University of Washington I had the opportunity to spend roughly a year with Coach Munoz training, jumping, and above all learning from him both about competition on the field as well as how to deal with the rigorous pace of collegiate athletics. Under his guidance I trained harder than ever before. I became more informed and more devoted to my sport. When I first met Coach I had been jumping for a total of seven years, and I had thought I knew a thing or two about how to high jump, but I was in for a surprise. Coach ratified my jumping style and training regiment from day one. At the end of the first month I began to see results. My jumping strength and confidence had increased as well as my consistency over the bar. Simply put, he is a remarkable coach and if I had the choice, I would put any athlete in his hands that holds a desire for improvement and hard work.
Lara Nelson former University of Washington jumper
Coach Munoz is very dedicated to track and field and he truly cares about all his athletes and is very inspiring. He can find the potential in every athlete he works with. He is very understanding, but an extremely hard worker, and is a great motivator to any athlete who wants to succeed.
Hugo began coaching me with a month before the first track meet. His first words were, "I have one month to get you into shape." I was excited, scared, and strangely motivated as were the other athletes. We were not sure what this guy was going to do or how he was going to get us into top jumping shape in a month.
Needless to say I have never worked so hard and was really motivated to work hard. In the end Hugo succeeded. I was in the best physical and mental shape I had ever been in, in one month. I felt powerful, strong, and explosive. Hugo was very dedicated working with his athletes.
Kirsten Carter
I thought the clinic was outstanding. It had a great blend of technique theory and practical training methods. Coach Munoz would elaborate on the proper movements and technique, then explain why. In addition, he taught it in a way that we could immediately use with our athletes. The open atmosphere made us a quite comfortable to interrupt and ask questions when needed. I especially enjoyed the opportunity to watch athletes jump in the afternoon session. We watched the jumps, discussed ideas with other coaches in attendance and heard the advice Coach Munoz had for the athletes as well. I think that beginners and advanced coaches and athletes alike greatly benefited from this clinic and Coach Munoz.
Kayla Kapsner
Hugo - This is Kayla. I was very glad to attend your high jump clinic, and to have the opportunity to meet with you a second time. I learned a lot from your clinic, but even more last Friday night individually. I appreciate all your effort to make time for me last Friday and hope I will be seeing you again sometime in the future. We will try to keep you updated with videos and pictures if we can figure out how to send them to you.
Thank you very much!
Lori Loberg
Thank Mr. Munoz for the clinic on Saturday. My daughter Katie really enjoyed it. She say's she learned a lot too. We look forward to the track season and hopefully many successes. Katie also said she was proud to have participated in your clinic.
Your web page is great!!!!!!
Thanks again.
Coach Mark Friend
Hugo, just wanted to send you a thank you for sharing your jumping expertise! I learned way more than I did reading books, you broke the jump down very well.
Thank you! |
