News Summary

Molly Middleton returns to Ravenna to lead the city’s cross country program after a two-year break. With a focus on increasing participation and creating a welcoming atmosphere, she aims to inspire young athletes through enjoyable running experiences. Her extensive background in running and coaching showcases her commitment to revitalizing the program and building a strong community spirit among the teams as the new season approaches.

Ravenna Welcomes Back Coaching Star Molly Middleton

Exciting news is popping up in the heart of Ravenna! The beloved former coach, Molly Middleton, is back in action as the new leader of the city’s cross country program after taking a nearly two-year sabbatical from the coaching scene. With her deep-rooted passion for running and a fresh perspective, Middleton is ready to take on the challenge of revitalizing the local cross country teams.

A New Chapter Begins

The announcement on June 20 of her return has left many buzzing with anticipation. It all began when a dedicated parent from the Ravenna cross country community reached out to Middleton, encouraging her to consider stepping back onto the course as coach. To say she was thrilled would be an understatement. Middleton has always had a unique connection with young athletes and a burning desire to share her love for running, and now she gets to do just that!

Building a Strong Community

Middleton is stepping in to lead both the varsity boys’ and girls’ teams as well as take charge of the middle school program. One of her primary goals is to increase participation in the sport, as she has noticed that the numbers could use a boost. She aims to not just fill slots on the roster, but to also foster a family-like atmosphere that makes every athlete feel welcomed and valued.

Having experienced firsthand the challenges that come with stepping away from coaching, Middleton has found that her weekends without meets were a bit too quiet for her liking. The thrill of cheering on her team and the camaraderie of the sport were sorely missed. This enthusiasm has reignited her drive to coach and connect with the next generation of runners.

A Fresh Perspective

As someone who has been in the running scene since she was a junior high student and later excelled in high school, Middleton knows the sport inside and out. She participated in events like the 4×800 relay and the 1600-meter run, even serving as the fifth runner on her cross country team. Her journey through Hiram College only deepened her connection to athletics.

After graduating in 1995 and running for Hiram’s teams, she returned to her alma mater as a teacher and coach, eventually leading the highly successful cross country program at Marlington. Under her leadership, Marlington achieved milestones, including sending the first girls’ cross country team to the Division II state championship since 1999. Now, she’s eager to pen a new success story at Ravenna.

Creating an Enjoyable Experience

The focus now is on getting more athletes involved in cross country, and Middleton has a few tricks up her sleeve to spark interest. Instead of following the conventional practice routine, she’s cleverly integrating some fun running games like tag to keep the middle schoolers and varsity athletes engaged and excited about training. Who says running can’t be fun?

She believes that making practice enjoyable is crucial in fostering a love for the sport. By showing students how enjoyable running can be, she aims to inspire them to be enthusiastic participants in cross country. With the landscape of Portage County evolving since her own days as a college runner, Middleton is optimistic about the potential of the Ravenna program.

Looking Forward to New Traditions

Molly Middleton is not only bringing her coaching expertise back to Ravenna but is also enthusiastic about the opportunity to create a new tradition within the program. With so much excitement in the air, the Ravenna community can look forward to a revitalized cross country experience under her capable leadership.

As the fall season approaches, do keep an eye out for the transformation of Ravenna’s cross country program. With Molly Middleton at the helm, there’s bound to be a dash of inspiration and family spirit at every step of the way!

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