Kenny Goans has been named the new cross country coach for the California Pintos cross country team.
Goans has coached cross country before for California High School. He also has experience coaching middle school and high school track.
Goans said California's newer middle school cross country program should start to pay off soon, as more athletes become eligible to run at the high school level after having the opportunity to start competing earlier.
"With the addition of middle school cross country the last two years, California has a chance to be more competitive as the athletes have an opportunity to be involved in cross country at a younger age," Goans said.
When it comes to cross country, Goans said he enjoys it is an individual and a team sport. Goans said he enjoys that every runner can reach their individual goals and achieve personal records in the sport.
Goans said he is looking forward to seeing the team dynamic among Pintos cross country runners play out once the season starts next fall.
"The team concept of cross country relates to the support and encouragement each member gives to every individual on the entire cross country team," Goans said.
Goans said as far as what he'd like the team to work on more specifically, he plans to put some emphasis on speed and endurance when the season starts.
"(We) intend to work on interval training to combine endurance with a side kick of speed," Goans said.