Photo by Chris Wells
Name: Stan Johnson
Team: Lawrence County
1. How many years have you been coaching high school cross country (and at your current school)?
31 years
2. What do you attribute as the main reasons for the success of your program?
Runners "buying in" to the challenge that we put before them
3. What would be the best way to describe your style and philosophy of coaching and working with high school runners?
Motivation, mental preparation and training
4. What are your core beliefs in your training plan and workouts for your cross country squads?
Motivating the runners to the point of getting them to believe that they can get through the "pain" to become successful
5. How many runners do you return from your top 7 from a year ago?
All 7
Savannah Williams, Katie Mae Coan, Taylor Williams, Katie Jane Dumas, Olivia Marsh, Stella McDonald & Emily Louallen
7. Who are your team captains or leaders and what stands out about them as examples for the rest of their teammates?
Savannah Williams, Katie Mae Coan and Taylor Williams, they stand out due to their relentless competitive nature!
8. Who have you been most impressed or surprised with their improvement and/or fitness from their summer training?
Katie Jane Dumas
9. Any impactful freshmen or transfers to join the team this season?
NA
10. What are the top invitational meets that your team will be attending this season?
Chickasaw Trails, Jesse Owens Classic and the Atlanta Classic
11. What will be the biggest obstacle or challenge facing your team this season?
Staying Healthy and repeating as State Champions
12. What will be the biggest reason why your team is successful this season?
The closeness of the team and their loyalty to buy in on what we put before them
13. What is a favorite annual or common pre-season workout or run for your team?
Championship Mountain in the Bankhead Forest
14. What is a favorite annual or common mid-season workout for your team?
Championship Mountain in the Bankhead Forest
15. What is a favorite annual or common championship season or end-of-season workout for your team?
Running at the XC State Championship Race Course at the Oakville Indian Mounds
16. What are your top 3 goals for this year's squad?
Make lots of great memories, qualify for state meet and repeat as State Champions!