Dear Athlete/Parent

I would first like to introduce myself.  My name is Paul Callahan.  This will be my 16th year with the Century Cross Country Team, and my 15th as the head cross country coach.  I am a originally from Platteville, WI. In 2004, I graduated from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa where I ran both Cross Country and Track. I received my master's degree in education from St. Mary's university in May of 2015. 

Our boys assistant Coach is Jens Boyum, and our volunteer Coach is Jeremy McJunkin along with Coach Gary Lovelace as our Yoga Guru.

Cross Country running changed my life when I joined it in high school.  I have never found a more exciting, fulfilling, and team building activity like CC running.  It is the purest way to test your fitness and endurance.  As our sport continues to grow, you will each find your own identity both as a runner and as a person and may even help define the person you want to be.  

For those returning this year, you already know the joys of being on this team, and accomplishing great deeds together.  Although this is considered an individual sport, you will never find a closer knit group of young men and women like there is in Cross Country.  Each individual, whether breaking the state title, or breaking a personal best, knows the joy and challenges that can await a 3.1 mile race.

For some of you, this will be your first season.  Congratulations! You are about to join a large family of athletes who will be there to support you and to join in on your successes.  Your training starts by meeting the members of your team and learning what it takes to be a distance runner.

The season is coming up quickly, and it is essential to put in the time and effort to come into the year with a base of miles over the summer.  This will be vital to our program if we want to accomplish our goals.  I look forward to meeting with all of our runners again in anticipation for what may be the best Cross Country season ever.  I thank all of you for having the courage to do something incredible and as always, save your fork because the best is yet to come.

 

Sincerely,

 

Paul Callahan

Head Cross Country Coach

pacallahan@rochesterschools.org

507.884.1446