From the President (September 2024)

Sep 7

So for the first time in a quarter century my beginning of September has not included putting the youth of the district through their paces as the cross country season gets into full swing. On a Wednesday night, waiting to get started with warmup for track at ConVal, I saw their crew roll out, getting a group run in during the very first week of the season.

I know over the coming weeks I’ll get the question about if I miss it, and thankfully I feel I’ll be able to answer no and actually mean it. That’s not to say I’m happy I’m not coaching, but conversely I’m not unhappy I’m not coaching. Last week Becka and I sat down to do a podcast looking over her career at Mascenic, as an athlete and then as a coach. In that conversation we discussed many things about our time with the program, each reminiscing about things the other had forgotten.

One of the things that came up is how we both “retired” at the right time, and not just because we won that last championship. No, we were very comfortable that finishing up this past year was the right choice, Beck because she has a thriving PT practice and myself as the juggling of my professional life with my coaching duties was too much. Yes, we were lucky enough to be along for this ride, but we weren’t hanging on simply to end as champions. This girls crew really meant something to us and it was an honor to see them through the season.

Over the next few months I’ll be getting used to my full time spectator status, following Mascenic cross country along with two graduates running in college. With no coaching duties I’ll hopefully be able to get around a bit more and see other meets across the state, providing commentary and camera work for some as well. I think I’ll like this new opportunity to see the sport from a slightly different view, and regardless I’m going to lean into this because it is my new reality.

I’m also happy to have a local chap at the helm of Mascneic. Evan Coyne, alumnus of ConVal is steering the ship and I’m hoping for deep waters and strong winds to fill his sails. I hear they’ve got a growing boys team while looking for a few more girls to round out the squad. I feel the crew is in good hands and I’m thankful for that.

Mike Smith

Co president Mike Smith has been involved with running since he took up cross country in middle school. While never one of the top runners across the state, he did come away with a 16:35 xc PR before he stepped away from competing in his youth. Shortly into adulthood Smith came back to the sport for good, both as a means for fitness and simply to keep active and resolve some unfinished business. Looking to see if there was something left for him in high school sports, he became the head coach for his alma mater, Mascenic, and coached there for twenty five years before hanging up the head coaching position this past year. His teams racked up ten Division 3 team titles (8 boys, 2 girls) and qualified and competed at the New England championships twice. Not bad for a school of 270 kids. When not coaching, Smith is often found running, talking about running, or wandering around the woods and trails of New England.

From the President (September 2024)

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