Everyone has one person they look up to and go to when they need help or guidance. But I never had an educator I could say was the “One.” I’ve always had good educators such as my parents, teachers, coaches. But at the start of my freshman year of high school I found my educator. His name is Mr. Herriott or as I call him, Coach Herriott.

I have had him as a track coach for four years. Coach Herriott doesn’t just show up to track practice to teach us how to run fast and turn left. He shows up to shape us into excellent young men with good manners and respect. This has taught me that no matter where you are or what you are doing, you always need to show the utmost respect and have good manners.

Every once in awhile, I’ll help teach the lower level runners with whatever Coach Herriott is having them practice that day. All I can say is Coach Herriott has some serious patience, because it takes forever for them to start doing things right. It shows that he has the best interest for all of us…including the freshmen (even though they can be difficult and annoying to work with).

If I had to use one word to describe Coach Herriott it would be father, because he treats us like his children and helps us whenever we need it. There’s been multiple times that I’ve seen a runner on the team get hurt and Coach Herriott goes by his side to help him out. Even with me, during the Mini Myhrum (a meet that Arrowhead High School puts on that is almost as big as State) I was running in the open 200m. I got to about the 150m mark and both of my calves cramped to the point I could barely walk. I finished the race walking across the finish line and fell to the ground. Coach Herriott came over to make sure I was okay and got the help I need. This taught me when someone is injured or needs help do not just stand by and watch, but instead step in and help or get the help that they need.

Coach Herriott is the best hype man before a race and he lights a raging fire inside of my body. The JV squad was at the Classic 8 Relays, which is one of the biggest meets of the year for both JV and Varsity. I just got done running the Sprint Medley Relay, which is a team of four runs: two 200m, one 400m and one 800m. I ran the 400 leg of the relay. A couple of minutes before the race, Coach Herriott knew I was still tired from the last race and came up to me. He said, “If anyone can run the 400m in the sprint medley and run and 200m right after, it is you.”

One sentence is all he had to say and there was a fire burning in my chest like I’ve never experienced before. It was amazing. I ended up passing everyone that was in front of me (which is rare if you are the one starting because of the distance you have to make up). After the race, Coach Herriott gave me a nod and that is a big deal because he’s not the type of guy to show a lot of excitement.

Coach Herriott is so much more than a high school teacher. He is a coach and a mentor. He makes sure we grow not just as a runner, but as a person as well. For that, I want to thank Coach Herriott… “You have made one of the biggest impacts and have been one of the biggest mentoirs in my life.”