“Ethan improved so much throughout the course of the year for a variety of different reasons,” Coach Adam Sayre said.
BY BRIAN RZEPPA
Though he first took up the sport just over a year ago, Trenton High School senior Ethan Rooney was able to turn heads in just his second season as a member of the cross country team.
In his first year as the head coach of the team, it didn’t take long for Adam Sayre to realize the talent that Rooney possessed. Though he went in with a blank slate for every member of his team, Rooney stood out to Sayre very early on into the year and continued to prove it all the way to an appearance at the State meet, an honor reserved for the most elite runners in Michigan.
“My expectations for Ethan this year were the same for everyone,” Sayre said. “I wanted to provide them with a memorable experience in cross country and I was focused on creating the family culture. I knew that if we created this for the kids, the success would follow.
“It became very apparent for Ethan that once he posted a time below 18 minutes at Cass Benton Park (regarded as one of the hardest cross country courses in the state of Michigan) that he could have a special season ahead of him. At the end of the day, I just wanted him to compete in every race at a higher level than what he did before. It was never about wins and losses but more or less about improving after every race.”
Though he started the season well, Rooney continued to improve as the season went on even as he battled a number of different challenges, primarily adverse weather conditions.
“Ethan improved so much throughout the course of the year for a variety of different reasons. Ethan made the decision to purchase cross country spikes, which gave him better grip in the ground, especially for when he was running in the rain-soaked courses. Our cross country season was extremely wet this season, so having the spikes greatly contributed to his success.
“Ethan also improved because he had a summer of training under his belt. A little-known fact about him is that he only joined cross country as a junior. So, while most athletes train all their lives in an effort just to qualify for the State final, Ethan accomplished it with only just over a year of training. While practice was optional for the team after Regionals had been completed, the majority of the team came to every practice to continue their training but to also help Ethan with his preparation for the state meet. I know that he greatly appreciated it.”
Not only did Rooney work to improve individually, but the impact he had on his teammates, according to Sayre, was immeasurably positive and will continue to permeate throughout the program for years to come.
“Ethan’s impact will be felt for years to come within our program. He has worked well with junior Will Taylor as Taylor will assume Ethan’s role next season as team captain. While at the State meet, I was able to have a conversation with them while walking the infield of Michigan International Speedway.
“It felt like it was similar to a ‘changing of the guard’ for them as Ethan had some very kind words to say for Will but he also gave sound advice as to what to expect as a team captain next season. We had a few of our boys come up for the State meet to cheer him on, but to also experience the aura of what the State Finals had to offer.”
Finishing ahead of more than 150 fellow competitors at the State meet, Rooney proved that he belonged in the conversation of best runners in the state. In his season coaching Rooney, Sayre was impressed by the commitment that he displayed day-in and day-out.
“There is a lot that sets Ethan apart from other runners. He has a drive and a motivation to be the best at what he does but he also understands that there is going to be some low points along the way. Student-athletes commonly think that if they do not perform at their highest level all the time that their athletic performance is considered a failure. Ethan was able to realize early on that a cross country season is filled with peaks and valleys but it’s how you navigate that path that allows you to become the best possible athlete. He found ways to inspire not just his fellow runners but his coaches as well.
“Early in the season, I asked Ethan what he wanted to accomplish as a senior runner for cross country. He mentioned first that he wanted to make sure that the team had a great season and that everyone felt like they belonged there together. Even before I had to try to push for a family type atmosphere, he was already on that mind set as a student-athlete.
“I told him that it was great for him to feel that way, but what did he want? He looked me dead in the eye and said, ‘I want to work towards having a shot to qualifying for states.’ After working with Ethan for a few days, I began to observe his work ethic and how he was going to try to accomplish qualifying for States.
“When he told me it was a ‘dream’ for him to be at States, I needed to make sure it was a dream worth achieving. After the first two weeks of practice, I believed in his dream. Once he raced at Cass Benton, I knew he could achieve that dream based on how hard he worked and his improvement since the previous season. What really set him apart from other runners on the team was simple: his determination. He knew that it would not be easy to qualify for States. Running in a region featuring the likes of Chelsea and Divine Child would already prove to be a hard enough challenge, but facing tough weather conditions would not be easy as well.
“As what most cross country runners face during the course of the season, he faced a series of injuries including a sore Achilles heel, which forced him to miss practice time here and there. When he couldn’t practice, he wanted to be in the weight room to continue to stay in shape. When our athletic trainer recommended rest and either icing or using heat on the injuries, he paid close attention to what she said and listened exactly to what she offered.
“Ethan’s determination in being at his absolute best and his willingness to be a captain and a leader will leave a legacy in this program that will be hard to match for future student athletes. His never say quit attitude is why he was able to qualify for states and as his coach, I could not be any prouder of his daily effort.”