Cross country runners adjust to new leadership
By Calla Mounkes
September 29, 2006
Staffing changes in the Silver Lake district are evident over the summer months. Although a new Silver Lake High School member was not hired, Kevin Brokaw, the district technology coordinator, has increased his responsibilities by accepting the position of cross country coach.
Brokaw has coached the sport at three other schools: Deerfield, Hanover, and Valley Heights. Last year, the coaching position was left vacant after Kelly Lampe, the former cross country coach and social science teacher, left the district. When Brokaw became cognizant of the new opening, his excitement was spurred by his love of the athletic endeavor.
Brokaw is drawn to cross country because of the varying courses.
"I really enjoy the sport. Every week, the course is different instead of a track that is always the same," said Brokaw.
Another alluring factor was the opportunity for relationship building with the students. Brokaw said he does not typically communicate much with the students while working on the technological aspects of SLHS.
"Interacting with the kids is a big reason for coaching. When I work on the computers at the school, there really isn't much interaction with the kids," said Brokaw.
While Brokaw is enjoying the new responsibility, so are the cross country members.
Sophomore JaVon Martin has been involved in cross country both this year and his freshman year. He commented on the differences between Brokaw's involvement and Lampe's.
"Coach Brokaw has many different techniques than Lampe did. His changes have improved our cross country team.
"One of the big differences is that Brokaw will come out during practice and do a course with us to make sure we don't cut corners and check ourselves. We also get to run further to increase our endurance," said Martin.
The differences, though apparent, are not the central issues. Martin noted that both coaches wanted the team's finest at all times.
"Coach Brokaw and Lampe both wanted our personal best and improvements in the cross country meets we'd run at," said Martin.
A newcomer to the team, freshman Jerod Barker, has achieved much already in the short time since the season has begun.
Barker has placed at all four meets the team has attended. He received fourth at Mission Valley, third at St. Marys, 16th at the McLouth meet, and he won the Alma meet. He said he was very pleased with his current standings in the sport.
"I feel very proud of myself, and I am optimistic for future meets. Getting the places I've gotten in the varsity meets has really boosted my confidence," said Barker.
Despite the remarkable results the team has attained thus far, Brokaw and Martin both have additional goals to reach this season.
"My goals for cross country are to form a good base for the program, to show continual improvement, and to gain more team members," said Brokaw .
"My personal goals are to have a meet time that's 20 minutes or better. One goal already accomplished was to have the boys' team place in the top three," said Martin.
(To see all country country results this year, go to "Fall 2006 sports scores recorded" on the front page.)
Cross country runners adjust to new leadership
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