ORRICK – Coach Kirk Thacker brings parts of Hardin-Central’s track and field program to Orrick’s varsity program.

Now finishing his first year of teaching and coaching at Orrick, Thacker was a longtime teacher and coach at Hardin-Central, where duties included coaching junior high and varsity track.

“If you went to Hardin-Central (and ran track) under Dean Hays or Jerad Luke or me, that is the … same (type of coaching) that you’re getting down here,” Thacker said during a March 15 practice. “I’ve brought my knowledge of learning from Dean and from Jerad over with me.”

Thacker also might impart a bit of Richmond’s track tradition, too. In 1993, he started coaching track there, working with junior high student-athletes, he said.

So far, the Bearcats are taking to Thacker’s coaching methods, he said.

“We (have) got a good bunch of kids over here,” Thacker said. “They’re interested, they’re hungry to learn. They’re eager.”

As of March 15, the school fielded 25 eager, hungry Bearcats – 19 males a…