Besides teaching, I started a cross country program at the school. Unfortunately, because of the low number of boys in the school and their overall lack of interest in competing, I was only able to initially begin a girls team. Leading the team was the daughter of the man who had originally informed me about the opening at the school. But, pleasantly what I soon found out was there was a virtual all-star team of girl runners at that school in grades six, seven, and eight which translated into immediate success.
Over the next few years, the team was undefeated in regular season meets, won or finished in second place in a number of post-season invitationals, and twice won the A.A.U. Region #1 Cross Country Championships. The achievement they enjoyed came …show more content…
Upon losing their undefeated streak, the coach from the other team was so upset that he angrily stalked off after the awards ceremony, and was seen punching a tree alongside the school. So much for learning how to lose and in the process teaching your team the same lesson.
Although it happened a long time ago, the vision of that coach acting like a spoiled brat and a poor loser has stuck with me all of these years. I thought then as I do now, “What a legacy to have as a coach. Punching trees when you lose.” I would learn later that he went on to coach for a short time at the high school level, but alsted only a few years.
In that first season, the team had ten members, all of which would go on to have successful high school cross country and track experiences. But more importantly, they would go on to become successful in life as they became lawyers, college professors, and
Over the next few years, the team was undefeated in regular season meets, won or finished in second place in a number of post-season invitationals, and twice won the A.A.U. Region #1 Cross Country Championships. The achievement they enjoyed came …show more content…
Upon losing their undefeated streak, the coach from the other team was so upset that he angrily stalked off after the awards ceremony, and was seen punching a tree alongside the school. So much for learning how to lose and in the process teaching your team the same lesson.
Although it happened a long time ago, the vision of that coach acting like a spoiled brat and a poor loser has stuck with me all of these years. I thought then as I do now, “What a legacy to have as a coach. Punching trees when you lose.” I would learn later that he went on to coach for a short time at the high school level, but alsted only a few years.
In that first season, the team had ten members, all of which would go on to have successful high school cross country and track experiences. But more importantly, they would go on to become successful in life as they became lawyers, college professors, and