I believe in speaking things into existence. In 2019, my first as head track and field coach, I shared the following message in a preseason meeting.
“Someday this program is going to win a state championship. The people in this room may not get to experience that feeling, but this group has the opportunity to change the direction of this program so that someday it will happen. When we win it, I hope that you all find joy in knowing you helped make it happen.”
On Saturday, May 30th our girls repeated as the Class 4 state champions. The following day the emotions of that first meeting flooded out. I sent the following message to our coaching staff the next day.
“Good morning, everyone. It’s 11:15 on a Sunday morning and I’m crying like a baby. Just full of emotions over the last 72 hours. I think my mind was too occupied to entertain them, or maybe I didn’t want to accept the fact that our seniors have finished their careers. I could extend this into a novel, but to be efficient; we’ve built something special. The tears that have been shed by our athletes, parents, and coaches are a sign of how meaningful this program has become in the lives of our athletes. I remember Coach (Amanda) Houston and I’s first conversation about what we wanted this program to be like, and it sounded crazy because we had one state qualifier at that time. As we’ve added new coaches, each has found a way to connect with not just the athlete, but the person too and that is what I’m most proud of. You all are incredible people with great hearts. I’ll never be able to fully express the gratitude for you buying into the vision, but you have made this young man’s dream a reality too. I love you all.
There are numerous stories and memories that transpired between these two moments in my life—some highs, some lows. There were tears of joy, near misses, and Rylie Moore winning the state championship in the javelin on the final throw of her career in 2025. Many of those memories are still followed by goosebumps or welling eyes. The success of our girls cross country and track programs over the last two years has been mentioned by multiple media outlets in recent weeks. While I have some hesitation in writing any story about our success, I hope this is received as a story full of love for our kids, program, school, and community.
There have been two very popular questions from reporters: “How does it feel?” and “Which is your favorite?” The first answer is easy: it’s fun. Winning is fun, but not simply because you get the outcome you want. The journey is equally as fun. Sure, it’s cliché, but it can also be true. Somewhere along the way, I heard a coach say that when an athlete joins your team, they are also choosing to become part of your life. That’s an incredibly deep thought, and it has entered my mind the last few years at the beginning of each season. Coaches are often celebrated for the impact they make in the lives of their athletes, but few people consider the impact athletes can have on their coaches. Our athletes are special.
Talent is a part of every successful team, ours included. Every walk of life sees extremely talented individuals succeed because of that talent. There are also very talented groups that come up short. As Festus head football coach AJ Ofodile says, “The work reveals the want.” Our team’s success is rooted in hard work. I have had a front-row seat to watch athletes like Makayla DeClue and Elsa Muellersman work their way into becoming all-state athletes. I’ve seen the hours Ella Shy, Alex Yates, and Jessica Hawkins have put into their craft. I’ve logged many miles with Olivia Cole and Katelyn Thurman. They, along with many others, bought into the vision of making our programs special. I hope our athletes are proud of what we have accomplished. It continues to be an honor to have them in my life and to be a small part of their journey.
The second question is a little more difficult. I don’t have a favorite because each championship has a unique story. The 2024 cross country team and 2025 track team lacked experience but had an unwavering belief that winning was possible. The 2025 cross country team and 2026 track team had the experience, but they also had to handle life as the favorite. At every meet, those teams got the best effort from their competitors and still found a way to win again.
Nick Saban, the legendary Alabama football coach, was once asked the same question. His reply was simple: “The next one.” Who knows what the future holds, but I like that answer.
A third question, usually from colleagues, is, “What’s the secret?” In my mind, our success is the result of two things. First, a culture centered on love. Our coaches love our kids, and our kids love our coaches. Our athletes regularly say that in interviews. That’s special to me because it means they know how much we care about them. In turn, they care about us and give us their best effort. Second, the people. We have a talented staff of coaches who respect one another and love our sport. They are not only great coaches but great people. Each is deeply committed to their craft, and there are no egos. Their names deserve more attention, so indulge me as I thank Amanda Houston our jumps coach, Terry Frank who works with our sprinters and hurdlers, our throws coach Jessica Ecker, and Mayson DeRousse our pole vault coach. Our program is fueled by a middle school coaching staff consisting of Jessy Beard, Ilene Garcia, Tim Krysl, Laura Shreckenberg, Jim Sardo, Andrew Tedford, Kim McDonnell and Nancy Darnell. All have contributed to our recent success, as has former assistant William Reece, who will be serving as Hillsboro’s High School Principal next school year. We also benefit from having a community that supports its school, a school board that supports our administrators, and administrators who support their people. Those are uncommon qualities in public education.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention something else that has contributed to our success: the Jefferson County Activities Association. What a year it has been for our little conference. In cross country and track combined, JCAA schools earned 10 state trophies and three state championships. The saying “iron sharpens iron” has proved to be very true within the JCAA over the years. Legends like Dick Cook, Clark Wille and Vince Bingham would be proud of what has been accomplished. Kudos to all.
Preparations for the 2026 cross country season began on June 2. It will be the first time in 23 years that the cross country team has not been led by coach Bryant Wright. The best years of my professional life have been spent working alongside my mentor and good friend. His final time on the trophy stand came last fall, surrounded by our girls and holding the state championship trophy. It’s a picture I will cherish forever because it was his trophy, too.