Squier named Coach of Year

BY KEVIN WOODRUFF

Elk Lake varsity cross country coach Will Squier has been named the 2010 Coach of the Year by the Pennsylvania Track and Field Coaches Association.

Squier, who helped lead both Elk Lake’s boys’ and girls’ cross country teams to PIAA Class AA team championships, has been given the honor as both boys’ and girls’ Coach of the Year.

Squier said on Monday that his overall feeling is thankfulness.

“It’s an awesome honor,” Squier said. “And I am extremely thankful.”

However, Squier said that a lot more went into Elk Lake’s success than his coaching.

“It can be attributed to a lot of people,” Squier said. “The kids, other coaches and parents. A lot went into it.”

Squier said humbly that while it is an exciting honor, he is “not an island.”

“A lot of teams come to those meets that work just as hard as we do,” Squier said. “And I go into it to coach to the best of my ability, and do the best I can for the God that I believe in.”

He said that he does it without selfishness in mind, and without his personal interests in the forefront.

Squier noted that from a practical standpoint, the team’s successes this season came as a result of hard work.

“It all boils down to hard work,” Squier said. “I don’t possess any skill or knowledge that any other coach doesn’t have.”

He said that he prefers to keep his coaching approach as simple as possible.

“I don’t focus on fads and I don’t like to bring in fancy techniques,” Squier said. “I focus on leaving no stone unturned when it comes to practice, eating right and working hard.”

Squier said that for him coaching is a 24/7 job, where he has to be one step ahead of the runners on the team.

“I have to work harder than they do,” Squier said. “Because if I don’t, then I’m not really leading them. I’m just telling them what to do.”

Squier said that his approach to coaching is relentless, and that he will consistently focus on the things he can control.

“We focus on the things we have control of,” Squier said. “And do them to the best of our ability.”

And he said the team never focuses on winning.

“We never focus on winning. We take care of the details,” Squier said. “And put ourselves in the best possible position to win.”