Kentucy Wesleyan Head XC Coach Tony Rowe answers questions in a 3 Part Series for KYtrackXC.com about his transistion from coaching high school to now handling college athletes. He retired from Daviess County last spring after 37 and multiple Class AAA Kentucky State Championships.
Kentucky Wesleyan College's Team Page
Part I- Planning for College vs. Planning for HS
1-Talk about your running/coaching history a bit. As you have had some time to reflect on your Daviess County era a bit, what is the one legacy that you hope that you left on that program?
I was fortunate to run for Bob Puckett at Owensboro High School back in the late 60’s and early 70’s. I still consider him the best cross country coach ever in Kentucky. He coached 8 years, won five state championships and had two state runner-up teams. Had he coached 25 or 30 years, there is no telling how many titles he would have added. The qualities that set Coach Puckett apart were enthusiasm, an unbelievable work ethic and a knack for getting the very best out of each of his athletes. He was a people person and one the real cross country pioneers of those days. I took so many of the time- tested things I learned from Coach and put implemented them into our program at Daviess County. I suppose that if I have left any kind of legacy maybe it was that of helping develop a cross country culture in our area and hopefully doing that with honor and integrity. I suppose that is for others to decide.
2-What is your favorite memory of coaching at Daviess County?
When you coach for 37 years there are lots of memorable events. Championships are always a thrill and I am so glad that so many young men got to experience those emotions through the years with us. I suppose winning those when your team is not favored goes down as favorite moments and we were able to do that a few times…1995 always comes to mind. St. X was ranked 25th in the nation and we were able to run what I would consider a perfect race and pulled off a 50 – 55 win, maybe the greatest upset in Kentucky State Meet history.
3- You gave up cross-country to your youngest son Matt in the fall of 2013. What's your impression of how he is doing at DC? What's the biggest challenge that he faces not necessarily in following in your footsteps, but in coaching in the year 2014?
I may be a bit prejudiced but I believe Matt is one of the outstanding young coaches in Kentucky. I had the good fortune of having Matt as my assistant in both cross country and track & field at DC the past four years. Actually, I assisted him in cross country last fall. Matt has been around the sport his entire life and has gained unique insight. I found myself taking his advice and implementing his ideas often the during our time of coaching together. The challenge of every coach in the state is that of improved competition. There are many, many very solid programs in Kentucky and there seems to be a new legitimate player popping up every year. It’s great for the sport and fun to watch.
4- How did your present position at KWC come to fruition and what led you to take on this new challenge after 37 years of coaching at the HS level--when most people would be ready to retire?
I had already decided several months ago that the past school year would be my last at Daviess County. I spent the year considering options and had already thought about possibly volunteering to help at Kentucky Wesleyan. Little did I know that the head coaching position would open. The timing was right and I was blessed to be hired. Challenges are what life is all about and I am loving it.
5- In year one, what do you anticipate trying to do at KWC beginning in cross-country and building into the spring track season?
Our goal is to be the most improved program in our conference in both sports, both genders – to see great improvement in individual and team performances. I want people to know that when we step onto the course/track that we are going compete hard and with great sportsmanship. We hope to build more team depth as we move forward the next few seasons and become very competitive at a high level.
6- This year you will be coaching females for the very first time, as well as men. How's that going?
It’s different than what I am accustomed to, but I am really enjoying coaching our women as well. They have been very responsive to the challenges we have thrown at them and are eager to improve and achieve. Of course, I have had to tap into my tender side a bit but I suppose that will make me more well-rounded. I do have a young lady, Kelly Clay, assisting me and I am sure I will lean on her a lot.
7- What strengths do you feel that KWC has to offer prospective student-athletes?
Kentucky Wesleyan has earned a great academic reputation. Student-athletes are not going to find many schools where there are 10 or 15 people in a class and they can get the individual attention they do at Kentucky Wesleyan. Our students are given great opportunities in the Owensboro community as they progress toward their degrees. As for athletics, it is exciting to be a member of a new conference (Great Midwest American.) Having added indoor/outdoor track & field to compliment cross country, there is great enthusiasm around our program and our athletes sense it. Nearly half of the students on campus are athletes so we have a very unique situation.
8- Kentucky has been on a tremendous upswing in the last several years with both boys and girls running faster than ever before. What is the number one factor, in your opinion, that has led to this resurgence?
There are several factors contributing to Kentucky athletes running well. One is coaching. Our coaches association deserves much credit for putting together great clinics and bringing in some of the best minds in America and we have paid attention. Another factor, in my opinion has been increased mileage. The last time kids were putting in mileage like they are now was in the 70’s when you saw situations like Jeff Miller (Owensboro), Tom Wright (Lou. Moore I believe) and Terrell Pendleton (DeSales) all turning 9:13 or 9:14 for a full 2 miles in the same year. And, of course, high level opportunities like Eastern Relays in track and national level cross country invitationals like the Trinity meet have brought together great competitors more often and the times are dropping down.
9- What one piece of advice would you give the incoming college freshman as they prepare for their first venture into collegiate cross-country?
Come to campus almost race-ready. Most college teams are racing within about 3 weeks of their return to school. If the athletes have not put in a good summer, they are definitely going to struggle. Our high school coaches in Kentucky, as well as athletes, are very fortunate to have the opportunity to begin practicing on July 15. It may seem like a long pre-season but it is a huge advantage in team building and season preparation.
10- College men run the 8k/10k as opposed to the 5k, and women run the 6k as opposed to 5k. How do you feel that transition should take places as far as the training load required for the increase in race distance?
As far as the women are concerned we will train them very similar to what we did with the high school boys. I feel like our boys teams at DC could’ve handled a 6k very well. As for the men, I believe in specificity of training. Intervals, repeats, etc. obviously have to parallel the race distance if they are to handle it well. Overall, weekly mileage must increase over the high school load. Of course, we have athletes coming at various levels of fitness and aerobic backgrounds so we also have to individualize training and progress to some degree.