Saturday, May 4, 2024
Gatesville Independent School District has announced Phillip Martin as the new Junior High School and High School cross country coach for the 2023-2024 school year.
“Coryell County has always been home for me, and Gatesville has been the school I have always wanted to work for,” Martin said.
He admires the great community support each program has at Gatesville ISD.
Martin has been in the coaching profession for the past 16 years. Through that time, he has served many coaching duties as a football, basketball, track, and cross-country coach. As well as coaching for one semester at Tarleton State University.
Throughout Martin’s life, athletics was always something he enjoyed, and he admitted how he had great coaches that were instrumental in his life. Entering the coaching profession allows him to give back to the students in the same way his previous coaches did for him.
“I have gotten to know several of my athletes this summer, they have really come to work hard, and I believe these athletes will accomplish great things,” Martin said.
Dedication and commitment are the two values Martin not only hopes to demonstrate as a coach but are also two qualities he looks for in his athletes.
The first official practice will begin on Monday, July 31, and a roster will be completed soon after.
Martin declared that the first month of training and first couple of meets will be the toughest time for the runners as they get back into the routine after a summer break. This is a time to lean on team camaraderie and team building activities.
As of right now, Martin has the team currently averaging about five miles-a-day to prepare for the season. His expectation for throughout the school year includes runners to maintain a decent conditioning level, to increase core strength, and to maintain good nutrition.
“My objectives are to set a good foundation for a long-lasting team,” Martin said.
Martin's goals for both teams will be to win district and advance to the state cross country meet with medalists on the stand.
The students at Gatesville ISD work hard and dedicate themselves to the process of becoming champions. “If we dedicate ourselves to a process whole-heartedly and commit to seeing the process through the end, success will be achieved,” Martin said.
Cross country is a sport where you can not only see long-term health benefits, but also a sport that has direct competitive results from your effort.
“The harder you work, the better you do, I teach my athletes to dream big and work hard. As a coach, I must do the same,” Martin said.
