MIKE SMITH, Head Coach

Coach Smith has been with the Saline Cross Country program since 1977.  From 1977 until 1993 Coach Smith coached both the girls’ and the boys’ teams.  Then in 1993 as the number of athletes in the cross country program continued to grow, the program was split into separate boys’ and girls’ teams.  At that point Coach Smith became the girls’ coach, and Tom Frederick became the head coach of the boys’ team.

Coach Smith began his teaching and coaching career at Grass Lake High School in 1971, and then moved on to Saline in the fall of 1977.  During his tenure at Saline, he taught English and A.P. American History for 28 years; and after retiring from the classroom in 2005, he has continued in his role as the head coach for the girls’ cross country and track programs.  His wife, Mary, also was a teacher at Saline and has served as an “unofficial” assistant coach in the cross country program for a number of years.  Coach and “Mrs. Coach” have three children:  Travis, who lives with his wife in Los Angeles; Ryan, who resides in Prague in the Czech Republic with his wife and daughter; and Megan, a recent UM graduate who is currently in nursing school.

Coach Smith’s running career stretches back to his days in Middle School and High School (Napoleon) where he was a middle distance runner.  He continued his running career at the University of Michigan where he was a member of the track team.  Coach Smith has completed a number of marathons in his career, including Detroit and Boston.

Coach Smith’s comment:  “It’s been a great experience to watch the Saline Cross Country program expand and evolve over the years.  We are proud of our traditions and our success.  Over the past four decades, the coaches and the athletes have worked hard to make “Saline Cross Country” and “Saline Distance Running” synonymous with hard work, dedication, and teamwork.”

Susan Jones (A.K.A. "Mama J"), Assistant Coach

"Unless we can hear each other singing and crying, unless we can comfort each other's failures and cheer each other's victories, we are missing out on the best that life has to offer. The only real action takes place on the bridge between people"

• 2003 Honoree for the 21st FOR WOMEN ONLY 5K RUN/WALK
• Participates in road races and relays of a variety of distances including the completion of 20 marathons to date
• Ran the BOSTON MARATHON in 1999, 2001 and 2002
• Multi-sport enthusiast participating in tri/duathlons in the area
• Practice Management Discharge Planning nurse at Univ. of Michigan Hospital
• Mother of 4 daughters: Lauren, Katherine, Anna and Rosemary
• Volunteer work with Hope Clinic. Traveled to Haiti on a medical mission in May 2005.
• Co-Coordinator for 'The Back Door Food Pantry' providing non-perishable food goods for those in need. Sponsored by St. Clare's Episcopal Church in Ann Arbor and The Food Gatherers organization.
• Member of The Ann Arbor Running Goddesses fitness group.
• Cairn Stone Adventure Hiking Tours to the Grand Canyon in October 
  2008 and Scotland May 2010
• The inaugural 5K SWIM TO THE MOON August 2010 finisher
  

"I love the young women I have the privilege of coaching. I admire their determination and work ethic...their great hearts and sense of fun. Those in the elite pack are to be highly regarded for their achievements, but there are throngs of us who can train, participate and perform in gratifying ways even when top medals are not earned. Winning the race is only one of the many goals. Just being out there doing your best is the most important achievement. They are learning life skills through their dedication to sport and my hope for all of them is to discover the rich rewards of a healthy, fit lifestyle...to live passionately and with gusto."

As the runner tests her mental and physical fortitude, she discovers strength, mental clarity, determination and spiritual depth with nature and her soul. The adrenalin and endorphins enhance everything in life as self esteem and courage are bolstered.

A quote from Dr. George Sheehan...physician, writer, philosopher, runner, "In facing life, no one knows exactly what is going to happen, what is going to be needed, where the search for the Grail will lead. The best we can do is be prepared. Running makes you an athlete in all areas...trained in basics, ready for whatever comes, ready to live each day, fill each hour and deal with the decisive moment."

"Challenge is the core and the mainspring of all human activity. If
there is an ocean, we cross it; if there is a disease, we cure it;

if there is a wrong, we right it; if there is a record, we break it; and 
finally, if there is a mountain, we climb it." ~James Ullman.

Best Wishes Saline Cross Country women~ may you realize your dreams and fulfill your goals in running and life.

"SEE IT. BELIEVE IT. ACHIEVE IT."

To my glorious gaggle of girls~ My chickadees!

With Love,
Mama J

Matt Hagood, Assistant Coach

"Leaders of Sisterhood"

 

Coach Hagood is in his 11^th year as a cross country coach at Saline.  He has been a part of the Saline XC program for a good part of his life.  In fact, he was on the first team (1977) that Coach Smith ever coached at Saline, and in 1979 – his senior season – he helped lead the Saline boys’ team to its first Southeastern Conference championship.  Keeping it “in the family,” Coach Hagood’s three daughters – Mollie, Emma, and Hannah -  were all members of the Saline XC teams.  Coach Hagood’s wife – Teresa – is a Saline graduate and a long time supporter of the cross country program.

Ever since high school, Coach Hagood has continued his running career; and he works out with the team on a daily basis.  He also has three marathons to his credit.  As the head coach of the “Asics” training group, he leads not just by word but by example.

Coach Hagood has a degree in technology education, and when he is not working with the XC team, he also runs his own architecture design business.

Coach Hagood’s Comment:

“I originally started to run with the team to help out Coach Smith.  I love to help the girls achieve success in running and hopefully give them the tools to continue to “run for life.”  I feel fortunate to be a part of the biggest and best girls’ cross country team in Michigan.”

Joanne Gabl

Volunteer Coach

Joanne ran four years of cross country and track for Saline. She studied at Hope College and now works as an RN at U of M hospital. In addition to coaching, she is active in her church and enjoys volunteering, music, cooking, reading, and her cat Molly.

"Cross country is timeless. The integrity, passion, and dedication required of each runner has built up the legacy of Saline CC, and I am thrilled to once again be part of this amazing team. Can't wait to watch these talented girls reach for their dreams!"

Christina Gonzalez

Volunteer Coach

Christina graduated from Saline High School in 2009, after running three years of XC and two years of track. She is now studying psychology and anthropology at UCLA. For the past three years, she has helped out with the middle school cross country team whenever her schedule allowed. This year she decided to help out at the high school summer conditioning and loved every minute of it.

Christina has made running her life for the past five years, participating in many road races, including three half-marathons and a sprint triathlon. She was a part of the running club at UCLA for two years, and helped play a role in making the club part of the National Intercollegiate Running Club Association. A proud member of the 4000 mile club, she continues to write down her mileage every day, and lives by her favorite Coach Smith saying: “Distance girls don’t have a 
season, they have a life”

Mandy Lauchu

Volunteer Coach

 

 

Mandy has been a volunteer coach for Saline since fall of 2009 when she worked as a part time secretary in the Guidance Office and a part time tutor for ESL. She graduated in June 2009 from Eastern Michigan University with a BA in Spanish Language.  She has experience in translating and currently volunteers with Justice for Our Neighbors (JFON) as well as other translating opportunities.  She has owned her own Portrait Photography business since 2005.  She and her husband, Rico have been married since 2008 and reside in Milan.  They are expecting their first child; Eduardo Manuel, sometime in December of 2010. 

Mandy aimed to run her first half marathon for the 2010 Dexter Ann Arbor run and trained up until race day but severe morning sickness kept her from competing.  She plans to begin training in February for the 2011 Dexter Ann Arbor half marathon, and then run the October Free Press Marathon.   

“I love working with the Saline Women’s Cross Country because it is a family.  These girls are in a loving supportive atmosphere where they learn to make positive life choices as well as learn how to form healthy life long habits of nutrition and exercise. The most amazing part about the team is that these girls push me just as hard as I push them to become a better athlete, person and soon mom!  The days I am able to go to practice are my favorite days of the week! J ”

Tom Micallef (A.K.A "Iron Man Mick")

Volunteer Coach

• Coaching Track and Cross Country since 1975.

• Daily runner (although he now "plods") since 1967.

• Happily married to the lovely Kathy Micallef.

• Father of three wonderful daughters - two of whom were captains of Saline XC and Track Teams.

• Coached scores of State Champions and All State Runners.

• Coached numerous State Championship Teams.

• Member of MITCA Hall of Fame.

• Is happy as a clam to be coaching Saline Cross Country!!!!

Tami Stevenson

Volunteer Coach

Tami has been working with the girls’ program for the past two years.  She is a 2003 graduate of Saline and was a member of the XC team throughout her four years of high school.  Tami’s older sister, Miki, was also a member of Saline Cross Country.

When Tami is not coaching, she is a researcher at the University of Michigan in the cardiac physiology lab.  Tami also is a volunteer in the local chapters of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Program.

Tami has continued her running career beyond high school.  She has completed three marathons, and most recently she ran in the Twin Cities Marathon – where she hit the qualifying standard to run at Boston!

Coach’s Quote:

“Some of the fondest memories I have of high school are from cross country, so it has been an absolute joy to be able to be part of this team again as a coach.  To me, SXC embodies hard work, commitment, and friendship.  It truly is a wonderful program, and I know these girls will carry everything they have learned with them for the rest of their lives.”

Hayley Warsinske

Volunteer Coach

Hayley graduated from Saline High School in 2007. She ran both track and XC all four years and was a cross country captain in the fall of 2006.

This spring Hayley received her bachelor’s degree in biology from Hendrix College. She is now attending graduate school for molecular biology at the University of Michigan.

She credits a great deal of her confidence and motivation to her experiences in the Saline Cross Country Program. She has enjoyed working with the team during summer conditioning, and plans to continue doing so as much as her schedule permits.

Lauren Wojcik

Volunteer Coach

Lauren is a former Saline CC "Chickadee" who graduated from Saline High School in 2005. Everything about her experience as a SHS athlete and runner has been the foundation of future ambitions. 

After finishing undergraduate work at Michigan State University with a degree in Kinesiology, she btained her teaching certificate as a Physical Education Teacher who specializes in Health Promotion. Lauren taught K-5 kiddos in Tucson, Arizona, organized a school wide walking and jogging program, coached Middle School Track and Cross Country and just moved back to Michigan in hopes of finding a job back in the beautiful midwest.

Lauren's running career is rooted in the desire to obtain lifelong fitness, strength, and confidence. She loves 5k road races, supporting community health and fitness goals, and has finished the Riverbank 25k in Grand Rapids.  She is grateful for the opportunity to run with the Saline XC ladies and values the courage and commitment of the runners and coaches. “It is unlike anything you will find anywhere else”.

 

What Saline XC offers is a life changing, heart shaping, confidence building program that doesn't just create a lifelong runner - but men and women of great character and vision.