There is a new head coach for the boys cross country team, John Morley. After being an assistant coach for eight years Morley took the position of head coach. 

“It was a great way to transition” said Morley 

For the upcoming years, he plans to help mold the team into skilled runners. In order to do this, he plans on introducing some new standards. He plans on having more time trials that will help challenge the boys and push them to want to achieve more.  

There is a variety of different running techniques that the Cross-Country team uses such as, one-mile and two-mile time trials. Along with long endurance runs that can go up to 10 miles. Then there are the rigorous hill runs. 

Morley also wants to focus on the importance of lifting weights and having a correct form. He does this to help build endurance. 

For those who may be flocking to Central next year, it won’t be a walk in a park. He wants to set an example for newcomers that this country team is no joke. Morley believes in improving the people who not only enjoy the sport but want to be there. Each grade though has different expectations.  

“The whole idea of it was to help build everyone up to a competitive 5k through implementing the standards,” says Morley. 

One of the key tasks Morley has to worry about the health and well-being of his runners. He claims it has been a challenge he has to be more aware if they are being overworked compared to when he was the assistant coach.  

“The goal is not to over or under work them” says Morley. 

Becoming head coach, left the position of assistant coach open, Alexis Mattis another science teacher at Central would fill that position.  

“She’s been a great supporting role and she earned the guys respect right away” 

In the upcoming years, Morley plans on increasing the fanbase for cross country. He plans on doing this by doing indoor meets as well as maybe doing a summer camp.