Kingwood enters the season as one of the Top-Ranked teams in the state. They have a strong returning group, and a big thanks to Coach Burleson for taking the time to answer some questions!
1. How many years have you been coaching high school cross country (and at your current school)?
I have been coaching High School Cross Country for 14 years. I have been at Kingwood the entire time. I became the Head Girls Coach in 2006.
2. What do you attribute as the main reasons for the success of your program?
John Barr, the previous Head Coach worked diligently to establish a successful program. When I took over everything was in place. I attribute much of our success to John Barr.
3. What would be the best way to describe your style and philosophy of coaching and working with high school runners?
My philosophy in coaching is to get as many kids involved in the sport as possible. I do my best to teach commitment, integrity, and selfless hard work. We really try to promote a sense of family among the team.
4. What are your core beliefs in your training plan and workouts for your cross country squads?
I believe in mileage. That sounds simplistic, but that's where we start. I believe in 2-3 week training cycles. I think that kids benefit from building on workouts that were done 2 weeks prior so that they can see their progress. I believe in training logs.
5. How many runners do you return from your top 7 from a year ago?
We return 5 out of 7 runners from the 2014 squad.
6. Who is your projected top 7 heading into the cross country season?
Our projected top 7 are: Abby Guidry, Erin Gallagher, Olivia Thompson, Amy Berg, Sarah Antrich, Jessica Hergott, Sarah Mascardo
Of course, there are several girls that have an excellent chance of making it. But, that is where we stand right now.
7. Who are your team captains or leaders and what stands out about them as examples for the rest of their teammates?
We have an excellent senior class this year. I would have to say that they are ALL the leaders on the team right now. They are dedicated, hard working, kind, fun, and LOVE the team. They are the type of group that the other girls want to be around and emulate.
8. Who have you been most impressed or surprised with their improvement and/or fitness from their summer training?
There are several girls that have impressed me with summer training. I could not narrow it down to one. I am looking forward to see what they can do.
9. Any impactful freshmen or transfers to join the team this season?
Our freshmen class is enthusiastic and hard working. There impact will be seen as the season unfolds. That is hard to predict.
10. What are the top invitational meets that your team will be attending this season?
We will be attending the A&M Invitational and the McNeil Invitational.
11. What will be the biggest obstacle or challenge facing your team this season?
That is also hard to predict. This group has struggled with confidence in the past (though they have grown up over the years). The biggest obstacle will be believing that they can be as good as I know they can be.
12. What will be the biggest reason why your team is successful this season?
Without a doubt, hard work and persistence will be the reason for their success. This is not an overly talented group. They are workers!
13. What is a favorite annual or common pre-season workout or run for your team?
I think that they would all have different favorite workouts. I do believe that they would all say that their favorite preseason event is the Watermelon Run. This is a intra-squad meet that we hold every year and after the race all athletes and families eat watermelon.
14. What is a favorite annual or common mid-season workout for your team?
My favorite annual workout happens more at the beginning of the season. We do what we call "Stepping Stone Miles". They run 6 miles with one minute rest. Each mile gets faster. It is an excellent workout.
15. What is a favorite annual or common championship season or end-of-season workout for your team?
We do an end of season workout that we call "Assassination". It is a race-simulation workout that I have found to be very helpful.
16. What are your top 3 goals for this year's squad?
Race with confidence
End the season with no regrets
Have their best race be at the end