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<strong>A closer look at the people behind the magic...</strong></p>
While Ethan Cotton contemplates the pain that dominates his immediate future, Coach Rob Parish points the way to triumph. Contributed photo.
One of my favorite fellow coaches to talk with, any time, any meet, is Rob Parish of Battle Mountain. Join our conversation as we delve a little into what makes Parish such an effective coach...
The first I knew of Rob Parrish was rumors of some wild man coaching, and doing a very good job of it, over at Battle Mountain. What's your story--at least as it pertains to running--before you got to Battle Mountain?
Wild man coaching? That is a good one! I grew up in Carson City, Nevada, close to Lake Tahoe. I ran cross and track there in middle and high school. I went on to run for the Bobcats at Montana State University. I've done my fair share of marathons, trail races in the mountains, and a few ultras since then.
You had, I believe, three state champion teams at Battle Mountain and then you took a hiatus to spend a year in Italy. Was it wanderlust or just what that made you to a break from what you were so successful with?
At the time it was a tough decision to leave Battle Mountain. However, my wife and I wanted to spend some time teaching in Europe and wanted to do so before we started our family. Everything worked out well as we graduated a strong group of seniors that year, and were offered a two year teaching contract in Northern Italy. We were able to travel and spend a bunch of time in the mountains, as well as a little work here and there.
Not many successful coaches make that kind of decision, and fewer still come back from a decision and then coach again as successfully as you have. You even had to wait a couple of years to get your old coaching gig back...
We were lucky to get jobs in Eagle County School District when we came back to Colorado. Ken Long, Ryan Matthews and Marian Cartin were coaching at BMHS at the time and were kind enough to let me join them. Everyone except Marian have since moved out of the area, so again I was fortunate to be able to take up the reins.
You're now an assistant principal at Battle Mountain. There aren't many coaches--and especially at larger schools--who carry an administrative role as well. How hard is it to do both?
It is a challenge, for sure, but I enjoy both the admin job and of course the coaching. I'm lucky to have a strong support crew. My fellow admins are super supportive of my coaching, and our assistant coaches hit huge! Often times I'll be late to a practice, or have to drive to and from a meet due to an admin issue or situation, and they run the show. I have to stay way out in front of scheduling and situations under my control so I can respond to things that come up, and give my all to the athletes and team. Most importantly, my wife Kelli--a former BMHS Track and X-C Coach--is extremely supportive. When things get crazy at school and with the coaching, she takes care of the lion's share of family responsibilities. Kelli and our son Riley are very patient and understanding.
Rob Parish exchanges a few thoughts with former runner and current assistant coach Jonny Stevens. Contributed photo.
What's summer training like at Battle Mountain?
Summer training is fantastic at BMHS! We focus primarily on the trails. There are so many amazing trails within a few miles of the school. As most everyone knows, we live in a steep valley, so these trails are serious business. It takes the crew a while to get in the kind of shape to able to handle running uphill for 30-45 min straight. It doesn't do much for our turnover, but it does develop big cardio engines in our kiddos, plus they love rallying the trails. We work on our speed systems when the leaves start to change.
What's your team's favorite course to run?
To be honest, our team enjoys running just about every course we race. They have a sense of pride about running "tough/hilly courses like the Battle Mountain Invitational at Beaver Creek, and enjoy getting after the hills at the current state course. However, they really enjoy the fast courses such as Liberty Bell and Delta, and revel in the chance to turn it over a bit as well. Most of all, our crew just likes to race.
I recall one year you sent me a photo showing one lane of your track carved out for spring practice with snow piled high on either side. How do you manage getting the track team ready for competition when things are like that?
It's tough for sure. Our training options are very limited in the winter, and all the way through March. The trails are full of snow and then mud into June, practice fields don't clear until mid April, and gym space is shared between two lacrosse teams, the girls soccer team, the baseball team, and any basketball teams that make the post season. We work hard to clear the track, but one snow storm with any amount of wind closes that option down quickly. Often times, the only venues to train are busy roads, parking lots or the school halls. We also try and minimize running on hard surfaces to prevent injuries. This is probably the biggest challenge to maintaining a quality track program year after year. When the stars align, we can get in some great training in the later part of the season, and get fast and peak at the right time.
What's your favorite aspect of coaching?
Favorite aspect? There are so many, it's difficult to pick just one. I love watching athletes progress from skinny, unsure freshman to strong and confident seniors. It's amazing to watch their development as they accomplish things they never thought possible. Another aspect I enjoy is the culture building of a team. It's great to see athletes of many different backgrounds and abilities come together as a team and join in a common goal. Instilling the work ethic, toughness and desire to prepare is a fun part of coaching. I love when athletes catch fire and become truly dedicated to the sport, and the passion for running shines through. It's true satisfaction when you work with an athlete for such a long time that you can communicate with them across a track or field without saying a word. I'm sure that many coaches of running feel the same way, and that this keeps us coming back season after season.
If I had to make a top-ten list of excitable coaches in the state, you would be on that list. Are you like that in other settings as well, or do cross country and track just bring that side of your personality out?
I'd like to think that I'm fairly upbeat and positive on most days in most situations. However, I think coaching running really does bring out the passionate side of my personality. In a competitive situation it's easy to get pumped up and amped. Nothing is better than being able to run around a cross country course during a race and pour your heart and soul into cheering on and giving instructions to your runners. Mornings of meets or races I have a hard time concentrating on work tasks. Big race days are like Christmas morning for me. The anticipation of race day is some of the best of coaching.
You've already accomplished many things that most coaches merely dream of in a coaching career. What dreams are left on the table for you?
I've been lucky to have many teams and athletes who have dedicated so much of their lives to running and our teams. I'd like to continue coaching groups of young athletes to reach their potential. I'd like to continue to give them a place where they can feel comfortable and put their efforts into a common goal. It's been great in the past few years when we've had former athletes--Shea Phelan, Jonny Stevens, Max VanDyke--come coach our teams. We're lucky to have other former athletes like Erika Ghent and John O'Neill come speak to our teams. I'd like to continue to build that type of strong community.
Additionally, we've had a few teams in the ballpark to qualify for Nike Cross Nationals, but have never made the trip. It would be fun to take a small team from the mountains to the big dance.