Layton brothers pushing each other to another level

A track meet is a family affair for the Woodland trio of Ryan, Reed and Calvin Layton.

Ryan Layton is the head coach of the Woodland track and cross-country team. His sons Reed (junior) and Calvin (freshman) both compete.

“It’s been an incredible thing,” Ryan Layton said. “It’s actually kind of surreal sometimes. I try to soak it up because it’s not going to last very long.”

Watching Reed and Calvin grow up, he said he could see the possibility of getting to coach them coming to fruition.

“I’ve been looking forward to this for a few years now,” Layton said. “It has been as good and even better than I ever thought it could be. My coaching nature always has me wanting to strive for me so it’s like I don’t think I’ll enjoy it all the way until I’m looking back at it.”

As a junior, Reed Layton has had his dad coaching him for a few years and he said it never gets old.

“It’s definitely really special having him as my coach,” Layton said. “After a meet, he will always come to talk (Calvin and I) as a father and not as a coach.”

While Ryan could see the potential of coaching his kids at the high school level coming, Calvin said he and Reed competed at everything growing up.

“We’re a really competitive family,” Layton said. “Board games, basketball, running, really just anything you can think of we compete at.”

The Layton brothers push each other while out on the course and Calvin credits Reed for being a good benchmark for him.

“I enjoy competing against my brother,” Layton said. “It’s fun having someone on my team who’s right around where I’m supposed to be so I know how to pace myself.”

Reed said having his brother to motivate him has made him a better runner than he’s ever been.

“It’s been really special for me,” Layton said. “I really like getting to run with my brother. Sometimes we get a little bit aggravated with each other but overall it’s been really good. We’re pushing each other.”

For Calvin, he feels the competition between the two is just natural as siblings.

“I always want to try to be better than him,” Layton said. “And he always wants to try to be better than me. I think we help each other like that.”

Ryan said sometimes Reed and Calvin get frustrated with people trying to compare them.

“I think there are some complications that come along with it all too,” Layton said. “They’ve both told me at different times that they’re not sure if anybody really appreciates what they’re doing because there’s always a comparison between the two.”

Reed said he just enjoys the opportunity to compete with his brother by his side.

“It’s not like we’re against each other,” Layton said. “I think sometimes people kind of see us as the same person. We want to see each other and our team succeed.”