DyeStatCal California Girls Coach of the Week 10/13-10/17/02 - Rob Collins (San Lorenzo Valley, Felton) - JEFF HAMILTON PHOTOS

Ever since he showed up a few years back with Alejandra Barrientos, a very special young lady who went from a good cross-country runner to one of the nation's best 1600 runners in one season, it has been "Katy bar the door" at San Lorenzo Valley HS in Felton, a small area in the mountains above Santa Cruz. There are some great places to train there, with a community support that appears unmatchable anywhere--they had a huge contingent following their teams at Stanford. Alex Dunn leads a super Boys squad also, but for his amazing string of recent successes below, we honor Rob Collins with this week's DyeStatCal Girls Coach of the Week!!

Congrats - Best of continued luck Rob - Doug Speck - DyeStatCal

1. Describe your recent successes at San Lorenzo Valley High School?

Over the past few years I have been very lucky to be blessed with very talented athletes. During my past four years San Lorenzo Valley; the girls cross-country team has won two league championships, three CCS titles, two California State Division III Championships, and were runners-up in the 2001 California Division III State meet. In track, San Lorenzo Valley High School set the National DMR record in 2000 of 11:41.28. The running future of San Lorenzo Valley is very bright. This year’s cross-country team consists of 4 seniors, 2 juniors, 17 sophomores, and 3 freshmen.

2. Briefly trace your athletic and coaching career prior to SLV.

I grew up in Oregon and began running in sixth grade. My running career continued through my high school years where I qualified for the Oregon State Championships all four years in track and cross-country at Centennial High School. My best times were 3:59 in the 1500m, and 8:39 in the 3000m. I did not continue my running career in college, but choose instead to enlist in the army. I ran competively my last year in the army and experienced the thrill of running in international meets. After my experience in the army I became a road racer until I began my coaching career at Sandy High School in Sandy, Oregon.

With Stephanie Hamilton at Arcadia Invite 2002

3. How have you found California different to coach in than say, Oregon, where we know you were involved before?

When I first came to California I was amazed at how many races there were and the
outstanding levels of talented athletes. In Oregon there were many outstanding runners, but not the huge numbers that California offers. I also had to get used to the different systems of championship races that allowed a runner to move on to the state championships. A big factor that has allowed my teams to excel in California is the weather. We are able to run all year long at sunny San Lorenzo Valley High school.

With daughter Jennifer

4. Describe some of the areas you have to run around SLV:

I’m very fortunate to live and train in a beautiful area. San Lorenzo Valley’s track sits behind the high school just on the outskirts of Henry Cowell State Redwood Park. When you step off the track you are in the majestic California redwoods of Henry Cowell, with it’s many soft winding shaded trails along rivers and streams. Connected to the Henry Cowell trails is the even more famous Big Basin State Park. A mile away from San Lorenzo Valley High School is the famous Henry Cowell redwood loop and Roaring Camp Railroad Park. Five miles down the Roaring Camp railroad tracks is the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

With his son Kevin

5. In a school of moderate size how have you continued to have such a good group of runners- what attracts talented athletes to running at your school with you not on the staff there?

My success at San Lorenzo started with Alejandra Barrientos, Shilo Whiting, and Lindsey Scarborough. With the example and leadership qualities of the above outstanding athletes, the success of the program has continued to grow with a new group of outstanding athletes. Our motto at San Lorenzo Valley High School is “SLV for the TEAM”. The current team is a very hard working and dedicated group of runners. They have a very bright future. Success breeds Success! Like in the movie Field of Dreams- when the ghost says, “If you build it they will come”, runners at SLV seem to come out of the woodwork. I am also fortunate to work with an outstanding coach and educator- Thea Jorgenson who has been coaching at SLV for the past twelve years. The cross-country and track athletes also do a lot of the recruiting.

6. What did the girls do for Monday’s workout of this week?

Monday we did a fifty minute run with form drills at the end of the workout. After the form drills, we hit the weight room for thirty minutes of weights followed by 120 pushups and six minute abs.

7. What are some of the goals for the team this fall?

It’s important that everyone work hard to be the best they can. Our major goal is to win our league, defend our CCS title, and avenge our one point loss at the California State Division III Cross Country Championships. These goals are very high and will be very hard to achieve with the tremendous number of talented teams in California; but it is important to set high goals and standards to achieve success. In the classroom we stress academic success. Last year the girl’s team had a 3.68gpa and is close to a 3.8gpa this year.

8. What advice would you have for a rookie Coach in Cross-Country at the high school level?

That’s a very interesting question, because I feel like I’m still a rookie coach. I would tell a new coach to never take anything for granted- everyday is a learning experience. Be patient with all your athletes and observe what’s going on around you and them. Don’t be afraid to challenge your athletes to strive for the brass ring. You will be surprised at what they can accomplish when they want it. Be free with praise when it is deserved. Attend coaching clinics and don’t be afraid to ask questions of your fellow coaches. You’ll be surprised at how willing they are to share information with you.

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