As the new season approaches, the Pahrump Valley High School cross country team, led by head coach Erik Odegard, is setting its sights high. “This year is going to be filled with high expectations,” Odegard shares. With a large number of returning athletes on both the boys’ and girls’ teams, the coach is looking forward to combining their experience with the enthusiasm of a sizable group of newcomers.
The girls’ team, coming off a regional win last year, aims to repeat that success. “The girls won the region last year, and I am looking for them to repeat that this year,” Odegard says confidently. The boys’ team is also in a strong position, thanks to their hard work and dedication. “The boys’ hard work has put them in a good position to continue to fight for the top spots in the region as well,” he adds.
During the offseason, the focus has been on building endurance. This is particularly important for the freshmen, many of whom ran for Rosemary Clarke Middle School (RCMS) last year. “The offseason is a good place for them to start getting miles in so that the races will not seem so long to them,” Odegard explains. Middle school races range from 1.3 miles to 2.1 miles, while high school races are typically a 5k (3.1 miles), give or take a few tenths depending on the course. For the returning athletes, the goal remains the same: building endurance to peak by the end of October.
Several athletes are expected to play significant roles this season. On the boys’ side, Antonio Veloz stands out. “Antonio Veloz is always working hard, and I really hope that the rest of the athletes see that dedication and hard work pays off,” says Odegard. “He has been a leader for us since he started running and now, he is the OG with lots of knowledge to share with the others.” Other key contributors include Jacob McLaughlin and Ben Cimperman, who made impressive strides last year.
For the girls, Savanah Thompson and Alexis Clouser showed great progress last season, and Odegard is excited to see their continued growth. Senior Aurora Whitney also has high hopes for her final season, and the team eagerly anticipates her achievements.
One of the perennial challenges for the cross country team is numbers. “It is hard to get kids to want to run,” Odegard admits. However, he emphasizes the fun and camaraderie of the team, hoping that word of mouth will attract more participants. “There is so much more to cross country than running. Just getting the word out about how much fun our team has and the continued success they have is the best word of mouth we have.” This year, the team will also focus more on overall fitness to minimize injuries.
Despite the individual nature of running, Odegard stresses the importance of team spirit. “We constantly are talking about how much each person’s contribution matters to the team and how we compete,” he says. Group runs and shared goals foster a sense of unity among the athletes and put the team in a strong position to score more points.
The team is looking forward to competing in some big meets in California this year. “This would be fun and a good learning experience for the athletes,” Odegard notes.
Balancing academics and athletics has not been a significant issue for the cross country team, thanks to the strong work ethic of the student-athletes. “We have some really good student athletes on our team, and they work hard to maintain a good GPA in school,” Odegard says. “But they are students first, and we understand that. If something comes up, we will definitely work with them.” Most competitions are scheduled on Saturdays, minimizing conflicts with school responsibilities.
The team welcomes a new assistant coach, Tahlia Sherlock, originally from Riverside, California. Sherlock recently graduated from UNLV with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and has a passion for adolescent development. She brings a wealth of experience in competitive running, having started in the 6th grade and continuing through her senior year of high school, with a personal best mile time of 5:17. “I believe that I bring positivity, motivation, and support to the team,” Sherlock says.
Although this is her first year as an assistant coach, Sherlock’s experience as a student-athlete has equipped her with valuable insights into managing grades, coping with physical challenges, and excelling in sports. She has diligently researched cross country training techniques and has developed workouts focusing on the Base Phase for the summer. Her familiarity with the four phases of training—Base Phase, Strength Phase, Speed Work, and Peak/Tapering Phase—ensures a well-rounded approach to the team’s preparation. Sherlock’s ability to adapt and embrace change, having attended three different colleges during her four years of study, further enhances her capability to guide and support the athletes. “I want to make sure that the team is healthy and help in any way that I can by following the lead of our awesome head Coach, Mr. Odegard,” she adds.
Sherlock is already making a positive impact on the team. Odegard notes that Sherlock is not only running alongside the athletes but also bringing in fresh ideas from her past experiences, which are helping to foster the athletes’ improvement. “Her active involvement and enthusiasm are setting the tone for a season filled with growth and development,” Odegard says.
The dynamic between Odegard and Sherlock is built on a shared vision for the athletes’ success. “We both want what is best for the athletes, so if we see something that we feel might be more beneficial, we are always going to talk about it and try it,” Odegard explains. This open communication and collaborative approach ensure that the coaching staff can adapt and implement strategies that best support the team. Odegard emphasizes that working with Sherlock is easy and enjoyable, which bodes well for a productive and fun year for the athletes.
While specific roles and responsibilities for Sherlock during practices and meets may not be strictly defined, the overarching goal is clear: to motivate the athletes and listen to their needs to make necessary adjustments for their success. Odegard highlights that both he and Sherlock aim to create an environment where athletes feel supported and encouraged to reach their full potential. “Our goal is to motivate the athletes, and to listen to them so we can make adjustments for their individual success,” he says.
Sherlock’s contribution to the team’s development is evident in her positive attitude and her willingness to work closely with the athletes. She is known for pushing the athletes to go just a little bit faster and bringing fresh ideas to the training sessions. “She likes to get out there with them to motivate and push them,” Odegard mentions. This approach is helping the athletes reach new levels of performance and fostering a supportive team atmosphere.
The team’s response to Coach Sherlock has been overwhelmingly positive. Odegard gathered feedback directly from the athletes, who described Sherlock as motivating, supportive, and the best coach they’ve had. They appreciate her commitment to not leaving anyone behind and her ability to inspire them. Sherlock humbly acknowledges this praise, stating, “While all of these were very nice to hear and positive, I am aware that I don’t know everything and I am not perfect, but I do know I will do my best to show up in the best way that I can to bring new knowledge and always be there for the team.” Her gratitude for the opportunity and eagerness to learn alongside Coach Odegard reflect her dedication to the team’s success.
Coach Odegard embarked on his coaching journey in 2016 as an assistant coach. “We had been attending the meets the past couple of years to watch my nephew run, the atmosphere of these meets was so fun, so when there was an opportunity to coach, I was excited to apply,” Odegard recalls. This year marks his ninth year in coaching and his sixth year as head coach. “Running around and motivating the kids to push themselves is an awesome experience,” he adds.
Odegard’s coaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that cross country is not just about competition, but about personal growth and fostering a sense of family within the team. “We adapt to a few different philosophies because of the various levels that all athletes might be at,” he explains. By emphasizing a team family atmosphere, Odegard ensures that every athlete feels welcome and knows they have a role on the team. He also prioritizes personal bests over winning races. “Doing better each day is what we want for the kids, because that growth is success,” he states.
The most rewarding aspect of coaching high school cross country for Odegard is witnessing the athletes’ growth. “They grow as athletes as they get better from week to week, they grow as people by understanding how hard they work and how that correlates to individual success. They grow as a teammate as they motivate and push others to do their best,” he shares. This holistic approach to coaching emphasizes development both on and off the field.
Success in Odegard’s view goes beyond winning races. He measures success by the growth of the athletes. “When athletes run farther than they did before, or faster than they did the last time, we want them to understand that is success,” he says. Improvement in performance, whether during practice or at races, signifies success. “Being the individual winner is not always the most important. Working together as a team to improve the team’s overall finish is just as important in cross country,” Odegard emphasizes.
For athletes new to cross country, Odegard’s advice is straightforward: “Cross country is a sport that gives you results based on the work you put into it. Set goals that you must work towards but are attainable, once you reach that goal set the next one.” He encourages his athletes to push themselves daily, acknowledging that not every day will be better than the last, but consistent effort will lead to improvement over time.
Coach Odegard and Assistant Coach Sherlock are optimistic about their athletes’ potential. With a focus on endurance, team spirit, and individual growth, the team is ready to face the challenges ahead and achieve new heights.
