Mr. Rich was kind enough to let me thank the community in this forum. Thank you Mr. Rich. I wanted this to be light hearted so I figured I would use the Senior questionnaire.
To the PA XC community thank you for all of your support. I, as many before me have decided to step down as Coach in order to focus my time and energies on my three small children. I look forward to watching what will be an exciting 2013 Cross Country season. To Coaches Sargent and Cislak, the baton is yours...
What was your most memorable race/competition?
Last year's State Championship was my most memorable race/competition mostly because I am older now and my memory is not what it once was. In all seriousness, it was the most memorable for several reasons, the pressure was on, a calculated gamble might not have worked and the girls really wanted to avenge a couple of losses.
Where did you face your biggest competition?
Anywhere Unionville was on the same course. As our program grew my girls looked to CR and Emmaus and they wanted to emulate them. It helped us get better. Then we looked to NP and WCH and then Unionville to provide a rival(s). Over the past three years WCH and Unionville have been superb competitors and hats off to them and their coaching staffs.
Out of all of your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most?
The accomplishment that stands out the most is the bond that formed between the kids and me. I am proud to be a part of the Pennsbury Girls XC sorority. Many of our former runners stay in contact, some are in the military others have relocated, and some raising little runners of their own.
If you could do it all over again, what would you change about your coaching career in high school?
If I could do it all over again I would read more and attend more clinics. Only near the end did I realize how beneficial keeping an open mind towards change was.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
The most difficult obstacle I had to overcome was being a boy. Coaching a girls team was difficult. Coaching a girls high school team was very difficult. In the beginning I had a very male-centric approach to coaching which I found does not translate to coaching or motivating female athletes.
What will you miss the most?
What will I miss the most - All of it. I am a Cross Country fan. I tell the girls I only ran Winter and Spring track in high school to get in shape for Cross Country.
Do you have any advice for younger athletes?
My advice to young athletes is that if you want to achieve to your full potential you need to incorporate running into your lifestyle.
How have your coaches influenced your performances and your life goals overall?
John Mundy, Mike Meistering, Hugh Mundy and Mr. Brassell were my high school coaches. I did not always heed their advice but if I had, I would have been a better runner. But their lessons stayed with me and I utilized them much more so in life and they helped me to be a better person. Thanks Coaches.
What are your college plans?
I do not plan on attending college although nostalgically speaking it sounds good. I am aware that the realties of reliving the past and moving into the dorm would never equal the memories. Good luck to all those Seniors heading out into the great wide open.
Want to be featured in our Salute To Seniors series? Drop me a line: don@penntrackxc.com and answer the questions below! And if you can, point us to a pic or two or include them with your email. Make sure you have the right to use it, please.