Coach Moore was my cross country and track coach at Arrowhead High School from sophomore year through senior year. I remember the first day of cross country sophomore year, and everyone was split into groups. I started to go in the “beginners” group; but Emma Mengwasser told me I should go with her in Coach Moore’s group because she knew I would fit in.  

“Don’t worry, you’ll love him,” she told me. 

This is where it started: my true love (and hate) for running. Sophomore year was my first year doing the sport, and Coach Moore helped me through it. I will never forget the runs we went on, the Pig and backs, Cardinal loops, Lindenwoods, Buglines, and if we were feeling we needed to spice it up one day, Four Winds or Bark River. 

Senior year, when I moved up from Coach Moore’s group to Coach Kaczor’s group, I was no longer training in my comfort zone with the coach I had been with for two years; I was training with the varsity girls and with a coach who did not know me. I was the worst of the best. My name went from the top of workout groups to the very bottom, the last person on the list. 

Senior year cross country was painful. I dreaded every practice and meet. The only thing that kept me going was Coach Moore. Even though he was not the coach I trained with, I could still talk to him. This made me feel like he was there and ready to listen. Despite the questions, complaints and rants, he still was willing to help. Even the constant “I don’t want to run,” “This sucks,” “I can’t do this,” or straight up “I hate running.” 

Coach Moore’s patient, diligent, and likeable personality is like no other. He drives more than 30 minutes everyday to and from practice, and is never late. His approachableness and willingness to help no matter what are traits I strive to have. 

I am so glad I got to spend my high school running career with Coach Moore, since that first day of cross country sophomore year. I could not have done it without him. He taught me how to be open, confident, and above all, how to be patient. 

“Trust the process,” as he would say. Running, and more importantly, Coach Moore, will always have a special place in my heart.