Head Coach: Carl Spina

I got involved with distance running in Saline during the fall of 2001, when I served as the coach of the 5th and 6th grade cross country teams at Heritage School. In the spring of 2002 I took over as the distance coach for the track team, which initially involved coaching about 50 boys and 40 girls. Recently, that position was split and now I work with just the boys there. During the fall of 2003, I was a volunteer assistant for the boys’ cross country team and in the spring of 2004 I was named the head coach of the boys’ cross country team.

While coaching consumes a significant portion of my efforts, the rewards are immeasurable. The greatest reward is watching the athletes progress. The obvious progression is in their improving fitness and times. The most rewarding progression, which is difficult to see except over months and years, is the development of a confident, goal-oriented, young man of character and integrity. Witnessing these characteristics and changes in such a massive group of athletes causes me realize how fortunate I am to work with these young adults.One of the benefits of having remained with one program for several years has been watching the runners progress from high school students, to alumni, to college students, to working adults. I'm proud to be associated with our program, and I'm proud of the kids I met years ago that have gone on to become successful college students, lawyers, small business owners, military men, etc.... Our athletes are committed to a set of basic ideas, and it is obvious that many of those athletes keep those ideas close to their hearts when they graduate.

I have great confidence in a few principles that guide our training and racing program.

1. Distance running is a business of efficiency. Flexibility, strength and form are the defining elements of an efficient runner. As such, these three aspects must receive as much attention as workouts.
2. A runner must possess incredible confidence to achieve his best. He must have an unshatterable confidence in his teammates, coach and self. None of these confidences are obtained through team cheers or starting-line pep talks.
3. Hard work is not a synonym for productive work. Every workout must have a clearly articulated goal. Each goal should fit in a schedule of periodization, aimed at peak performance in a culminating competition.

Assistant Coach: Tom Frederick

Coach Frederick brings the experience and knowledge of being the head coach from 1993 to 2003. During that time, the team made it to the state finals 7 out of ten years, with a top finish of 3rd place and two individula championships. Coach Frederick is the high school physics teacher at Saline High (room 329). He lives in Saline with his wife Cynthia and three wonderful children, Anastasia, Elijah, Zoe, Sophia--and his dog Barney.

His coaching philosophy is based on that of Joe Newton of York High School.

• One must overload and then recover in order to make any gains.
• Long-slow-distance, makes a long-slow-runner--not the ideal.
• A bit of speed every day helps build up fast twitch muscles.
• To become a great distance runner, one must put in the miles 24/7/365...
• Proper diet and sleep are key elements of good training

Running is not rocket science. It is really quite simple!

On top of being well-trained, an athlete must be a man of integrity and great fortitude. Athletes are role models and are held to a higher standard. Good athletes put the needs of the team before their own. They set goals and have a long-term vision..

A Favorite Quote: "We will fight until hell freezes over...then we'll fight on ice!" (Winston Churchill)

Volunteer Asst. Coaches

David Medley

Dustin Voss