Let me first say that the above mentioned coaches are all incredibly accomplished as are undoubtedly some others that haven't been listed yet. I initially hesitated in submitting this but felt compelled to do so, as to this point in the discussion there is one name that hasn't been mentioned that surely does deserve consideration. After doing considerable research (as you'll see!) I'm sure you'll agree that this coach has gathered up a pretty good coaching resume. Enjoy!
Rae Alexander has coached distance athletes that have earned All-Ohio over 100 times! She coached 3 State Championship Girls XC teams at Olmsted Falls plus two that were runner-up. She coached an entire decade at the Falls where they won at least one State Championship per year the entire decade of the 80's (relay, XC team, individual track/XC).
She coached 3 State Champ, sub 5 minute milers at Olmsted Falls in Michelle Kalikin (4:54, 4th at Nats, 10:51, 17:32 FL All-American), Kim Haluscsak (4:59, 10:38, 17:53, 5 time State Champ), Angie Inge (4:59 State Champ).
As boys coach at OFHS she coached a State Champ 4X8, a State Runner-up at 1600 (Chris Rybicki) and a State runner-up at 800 (JB Ritchie) along with many other All-Ohioans.
At Strongsville, coaching boys, she coached 8:56 3200 runner Chris Kollar (Also 4:10 1600 All-American) and most recently her son, Colby, the 2010 State 1600 champ. Of the athletes that have earned All-Ohio over 100 times under Rae, Colby was number 100! She also helped him to 3 All-American finishes. At 4:07.9, Colby is the fastest miler she's coached. At Strongsville (her alma mater) she coached numerous sub 8 minute 4X8 relays including a 7:45 unit in 2008.
At Medina in 2011, she was the boys distance coach in track. In 2011 she coached 5 sub 10 minute 3200 runners during that season including 9:16 Regional Champ David Knack. Two others including a 4:21.87 miler may have been able to break 10 but they never ran it. At the NOC Valley Div conf. meet (one of Ohio's very best distance conferences year-in-year-out) Medina's boys took 1-2 in the 800, 1600 and 3200 and first in the 4X8. That may never be accomplished again in a conf that deep in talent. The Medina boys 4 X mile relay finished the year out earning All-American honors at the NB Outdoor National Meet placing 4th in 17:46 (c 4X1600).
This year she took over for track at Brecksville as asst for boys and girls distance. Already thru indoors she helped Rob Scanlon to the podium at indoor State in the 3200 (9:29) as well as first year track runner Matthew Dietrich (SR) to the podium in the 1600 at 4:25.01. She also had an additional qualifier in the 1600 (David Ryland) and a girls 4X8 make it.
All in all she's helped her runners win 5 State individual 1600 championships, 2 State individual 3200 championships, 3 individual State XC wins, 2 State 4X8 relay wins, 3 XC team Titles. As for State second place finishes, almost double that number for State runner-up honors. Her runners have earned All-American honors 10 times and All-Ohio honors over 100 times.
She was head girls XC coach at OFHS as well as asst coach in track for boys and girls, asst XC and track coach in charge of boys distance at Strongsville and Medina and is now asst track coach in charge of boys and girls distance at Brecksville. She coached 19 years at Olmsted Falls, 14 years at Strongsville, a year and a half at Medina and is presently at Brecksville.
I'd say that every program she touched flourished. Her resume is pretty darn good!
:Ohno: :rainbow:
