7A Scouting Report: Auburn HS Boys


1. How many years have you been coaching high school cross country (and at your current school)?
This is my 24th year at Auburn High School

2. What do you attribute as the main reasons for the success of your program?
The dedication of the young men to the sport of running and to their teammates. The focus is on our team not individuals.

3. What would be the best way to describe your style and philosophy of coaching and working with high school runners?
I am a pretty laid back most of the time. The athlete has to take ownership of their performance. I feel like consistency in training and "buying in" to a plan are essential for an athlete to succeed in a sport such as cross country. It is almost impossible just to show up and just be good over a 5K race.

4. What are your core beliefs in your training plan and workouts for your cross country squads?
You have to get fit before you can get fast when running distance.

5. How many runners do you return from your top 7 from a year ago?
5

6. Who is your projected top 7 heading into the cross country season?
Top 7 based on returning results would be Jack Rogers, Josh Escoe, Nate Pudner, Carson Chambliss, Payne Norton, Andrew Mingus, Tate Ogburn.

7. Who are your team captains or leaders and what stands out about them as examples for the rest of their teammates?
Our 7 returning seniors are currently leading this team. This group has spent the last 3 years watching other and personally "buying in" to the idea that work produces results. They are doing a fine job of being examples of personal sacrifice for their teammates by placing the team above their personal aspirations.

8. Who have you been most impressed or surprised with their improvement and/or fitness from their summer training?
The team as a whole impressed me with their dedication and work this summer. They held each other accountable and pushed each other to improve.

9. Any impactful freshmen or transfers to join the team this season?
We have a large freshmen group and several new students to Auburn City Schools with us this year. I am most interested to see how they develop over the next year or so.

10. What are the top invitational meets that your team will be attending this season?
Battle of Atlanta, AT&T Stars Mill Invite, Jesse Owens and The Tiger Classic

11. What will be the biggest obstacle or challenge facing your team this season?
Building the backend of our top 15 to give us some extra depth.

12. What will be the biggest reason why your team is successful this season?
Success will come down to quality work and staying healthy.

13. What is a favorite annual or common pre-season workout or run for your team?
A common early season work out might include 1200m loop repeats on Old Mill Hill. It is definitely not a team favorite.

14. What is a favorite annual or common mid-season workout for your team?
"Waldens" 1600m around a pond-400 jog recovery- 400m hill climb-400m recovery- repeat

15. What is a favorite annual or common championship season or end-of-season workout for your team?
They usually enjoy finally getting on the track to "go fast" near the end of the season.

16. What are your top 3 goals for this year's squad?
We always want to try to win each meet throughout the season as a team.