GREENVILLE – Green Wave veteran coach Bill Plessinger begins his 30th year coaching the Greenville Track and Field program.
“In the thirty years I have been here, this year we have one of the top two girls’ teams we’ve ever had,” said Plessinger. “We had a district runner-up, league runner-up team in 2004, and we were pretty darn good.”
“We’ve never had a losing season,” Coach “P” continued. “People don’t realize we have never had a losing season in girls’ track. I’m not one of those record people. I’m out here for the kids, but the girls should be pretty good and are working hard.”
“Boys, we’re young, we have some experience back, we have some high-end athletes,” added Plessinger. “We have a lot of young kids, and we have a lot of spots to fill.”
Greenville has over 200 student-athletes participating in the 2025 spring track and field season, including 80 junior high students and 130 high school students, 70 girls and 60 boys, under the direction of Coach Plessinger.
Coach Plessinger credits the summer track and field programs for the large number of Greenville athletes who participated in them.
“The majority of them are from track camp or field day,” Plessinger stated. “Kids love our camp. Most of the outstanding talent I already know is coming. When I see them in fifth grade, if they are pretty good, I have a pretty good idea that they have good potential.”
Coach Plessinger is pleased to have exchange student Romane Rondineau from Nantes, France, joining the Lady Wave varsity team this season.
“I have what I call my one-year lottery ticket,” said Plessinger. “I have a girl from France; most foreign exchange students don’t do track when they come to America. This girl’s been in track club for eight years, and she is a hurdler, and she is legit, a great kid.”
“She’s a vaulter too, but potentially, based on the time she ran in Europe, probably one of the better long jumpers or hurdlers we’ve had since Amy Peterseim in the 90s. We have her for one season, so we must take advantage of that.”
Looking to the 2025 season, Coach Plessinger is excited for what he believes will be a good year for the Green Wave.
“It’s still early, but this year, we have the potential to be as good or better than last year,” he noted. “We only lost a couple of kids off last year’s team, and we have a couple of freshman girls out to improve our distance team compared to the current distance team. Most of these kids have all been to camp, so I’ve known about this group for a long time.”
“Next year, we’re going to be even better because there are probably eight eighth graders that would letter in high school right now,” Plessinger continued. “That’s how good the bulk of their team is. Girl-wise, it’s the most talented grades five through 12 since I’ve been here; we’re that good and have a lot of potential.”
Competing in the always-tough Miami Valley League, Coach Plessinger expects Greenville to stack up well in the conference.
“Troy is always good, Butler is really good this year. They have a coach that used to coach and returned, so their numbers are way big. Tipp is pretty good, and so are we,” said Plessinger. “We will be one of the top four teams in the league. It just depends on what order.”
The Greenville track and field program will host four 2025 home meets.
