A new head coach for the Greeley West cross country team has led to a new set of expecatations and changes in the personell that make up the squad.
Coach Isaiah West took over the program from former coach Lea Sanford this summer. West moved from Highland High School this year for the opportunity to coach at a bigger school. “Greeley West has a bigger team,” West explained. “That’s why I decided to make the switch – because it’s a bigger school.”
In the short term, the team shrunk. Many former runners decided to not run or quit once the season started. Athletes suggested that a lot of factors contributed to their collective decision. The intense physical demands of cross country running, coupled with the rigorous training schedule, has taken a toll on their mental and physical well-being. Some have found new interest in different sports and activities. Junior Aydan Young went on the record and explained that, even though he had been on the team since his freshman year, he quit because of an injury. “I had a surgery over the summer that doesn’t allow me to do many athletic things,” Young said.
Additionally, changes in the coaching staff might have played a role in their decision. The departure of the last coaching staff, including its assistant coaches, resulted in a different training schedule and expectations both in-season and out.
With the shift in coaching positions, there’s a palpable sense of change in the school. West admitted, “I don’t know Lea Sanford very well, I’ve only talked to her a couple of times, so I’m not super familiar with the way things used to be with the team.
West brings a fresh perspective and approach that came witih some changes that have already been implemented West said, “Some changes that I have made are not as many summer practices as there have been in the past and encouraging off-season meets. I aim to keep athletes engaged during the off-season.”
West also said his athletes are running more this year. “I would say I have put more mileage on the team than before,” Wess said.
With this change to the team’s structure, some of the more experienced runners didn’t return, which makes the team mainly freshmen. This has left senior Lenna Martinez missing some of her former teammates. “I think it’s disappointing, because our team is almost entirely freshman.”
This season comes with other unique challenges as the team transitions to a new division. West explained, “In this season, we’re in a new region. Before, we were in 4A, and now I believe we are in 5A.
“So with that, my hopes would be to beat as many 5A teams as possible,” West continued. “I think just getting our name out there, showing that we’re a new team to be reckoned with, basically just getting our name out there.”
West is also going to active in other running programs. He will be taking on winter practices alongside the track coach, Cody Billings. Additionally, the coach will be overseeing the distance events for the track team. “I will be the distance coach on the track team as well,” West confirmed.
According toe West, one of the most intriguing aspects of the new season is the composition of the team itself. “So with this year’s team being almost entirely freshmen, it’s really exciting because I have a really big part in shaping them, and I think that is really awesome,” West shared. “Most of the older kids are kind of setting their own paths right now, so it’s kinda hard to have them adjust to the changes I’ve made.”
As the new cross country season gets underway, all eyes will be on Greeley West’s team as they adapt to the fresh approach of their coach and aim to make their mark in the new division. The combination of new strategies, a focus on off-season engagement, and the enthusiastic team of freshmen talent as well as the experienced upperclassmen of the team, promises a new exeprience for the Greeley West cross country team.
