National Scholastic Athletics Foundation

Week ending Nov. 24, 2013

A lot of folks didn’t believe Lewisville Hebron (Carrollton, Texas) coach Jason Grennier when he said his 2013 boys’ cross country team could be better than his 2012 edition.  The latter, after all, included now-graduated Robert Domanic – the 5A state and NXN South individual champ last fall, as well as a 2-time Foot Locker finalist.  The year before (2011), in fact, they had one of the best 1-2 punches in the country with Domanic and Kevyn Hoyos.

But Coach Grennier knew he had just a bit more depth this year.  It took awhile to really manifest itself, though.  Hebron had a good year, but when it came to qualifying out of the always-tough Region I, they found themselves 4th behind eventually repeat state champ Southlake Carroll and two Keller schools – and relegated to watching at 5A state. 

But the Hawks weren’t quite done.  They knew they weren’t at their best at Region and dedicated themselves to three more weeks of training for last weekend’s NXN South meet at The Woodlands.  Did it pay off?  Did it ever!  With everything coming together, Hebron upended two-time defending champ Carroll and did something the Hawks had never done with Domanic or outstanding 2012 grad Kevyn Hoyos: Made it as a team to Portland.  After years of hard work, it’s paid off for Coach Grennier and his charges.

A few thoughts from Coach Grennier: 

On the feeling of leading his crew to NXN Finals after missing the state meet:  It has been very gratifying.  The kids have worked hard for a long time and it is nice to see them get rewarded.  It has been hard for me as a coach, and for us as a program, to see the other teams go year after year and wonder if it is ever going to be our turn.  I am so excited for the kids and everyone involved.

On “what happened” at the Region 1 meet and what was different for the Hawks last Saturday:  At the Region 1 Meet, our #4 runner had an asthma attack and was not able to run the way he had most of the year.  That being said, I'm not sure we would have gotten out.  It is a very tough region.  We had not had the top five run their best all at the same time – until the NXN South Regional.  I knew if we could get them to all run their best in the same race, we would be in the conversation.
Last Saturday, I think we just finally put it all together.  I kept telling them during the race to keep fighting and we would have a chance.  I don't tell them to run together, but when we run well it just kind of works out that way. 
Our strategy was to get as far up front as we could and fight, because it was a crowded race and the conditions were not perfect.  They stayed calm during the race, fought hard the last 800 and it worked out for us.

On the keys to everyone committing and carrying through to NXN South:  I asked the boys after the regional race whether they thought that if they trained hard for the next three weeks, they would have at chance at NXN.  They said yes.  I told them they should have no regrets and to end the season on their own terms. 
The girls team made it to the state meet and the boys had to watch them race.  Of course they also had to see the boys’ race there and watch the other teams get on the medal stand.  I think that kept them motivated and gave them the spark they needed to fight.

On having their best team after graduating two national class stars like Robert Domanic (2013) and Kevyn Hoyos (2012):  I told people last year that we were losing Robert, but we were going to be better as a team.  People looked at me like I was crazy.  I think because we don't have any superstars this year, everyone knew that they were going to work hard and do their job. 
I think Kevyn and Robert showed the rest of the guys what was possible if they believed and worked hard.  Robert and Kevyn both came to the meet to support the team and I think they were just as proud as I was.

On his own background in the sport and his developing the Hebron program:  I was a decent age group runner when I was young, but nothing special.  When I got into high school, I played multiple sports but didn't excel at any of them.  While I was in college, I got an opportunity to coach summer track with my dad.  I decided that is what I wanted to do with my life.
I have been coaching for 13 years and this is my 8th year at Hebron.  We have had some team success with the boys and girls teams making it to regionals several times (out of a tough district) and the girls team has made it to the state meet two years in a row.  Individually, we have had at least one person on the medal stand at state in cross country for the last 5 years in a row.

On the program’s supportive parents and booster club:  I have always said that the great programs have one thing in common, and that is great parent support.  My parents and booster club have been more than I could ever ask for.  They continually give the coaching staff and kids everything we need to be successful.  It is fun for the kids and me to see all the fans cheering for us at the meets, and then get to see all the pictures and updates on the website.

On goals for the big race in Portland Dec. 7:  We have been underdogs all year.  No one has given us a chance from the start, but the kids just kept working and racing hard.  We don't have any specific goals, other than to race as hard as we can and see where that puts us.  Right or wrong, the boys have believed that they were one of the best teams all year.  Who am I to tell them different?