Behind the scenes of one of the most successful prep athletic programs in the area is a coach who few fans hear about. A coach defined not by personal accolades, but rather, by an unwavering dedication and commitment to athletes.
The coach is Brady Archer, and over the last twelve years, he has built the Mancos High School cross country team into something of which the local community can be proud.
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
Long before all-conference runners and state qualifiers dotted the Mancos cross-country team's roster, distance running in Mancos was somewhat of an afterthought.
Then, 12 years ago, Brady Archer was hired to coach the Mancos cross-country team. A former middling high school distance runner in Golden, Archer's coaching experience was limited to a few seasons of middle school football.
Limited experience did not hold Archer back, however, and soon after being hired, he founded the Mancos Middle School cross-country program in hopes of building the high school program from the ground up.
"The middle school program has had a lot to do with our success," said Archer. "When the middle school program started, it gave athletes who were not football or volleyball players something to do."
While working hard to establish the middle school program, Archer simultaneously focused on creating a family atmosphere amongst his runners.
"I try to get a family culture on the team," said Archer. "We have team dinners so that everyone can get together and have some place safe to hang out. We try to be positive about who we are as a team."
SUSTAINED SUCCESS
Looking at the Mancos cross-country team's results since Archer took over, one is immediately struck by the team's consistency.
Year in and year out, both the boys' and girls' teams rank among the best in the San Juan Basin League and more often than not, Bluejays' runners perform well at the state level.
Chief among the factors allowing the team to enjoy sustained success has been Archer's ability to encourage sustained year-round training.
"What I've tried to do is, during the winter, I run with boys and girls who are not playing basketball," said Archer. In the summer, I open it up to them. You guys tell me what days you want to be here as a team and I'll be here."
DEDICATION
TO COACHING
Of all the factors that have contributed to the Mancos cross country program's success, nothing has had more of an impact than Archer's love of coaching.
A self-described "numbers geek" who keeps track of various statistics dealing with his runners performance, Archer spends countless hours doing whatever he can to help athletes become the best that they can be.
Describing what he loves about coaching, Archer stated, "I get to know these guys in a completely different way than I do as a teacher. When we're out on a run, all we have to do is talk. I get to talk to my team about everything from things they have outside of school to their college plans."
FUTURE
OF THE PROGRAM
Always contemplating ways that he and his team can improve, Archer has big plans for the Mancos cross country program's future. Among those plans is an elementary school cross country program aimed at generating interest in young runners.
"I'm going to go down to the elementary school and try to get some excitement generate by doing a few races," said Archer. "I think we need to continue to do what we do and grow the program."
A truly unique and dedicated individual, there is little doubt that the Mancos cross country program will continue to realize success and grow under Archer's guidance. In doing so, both the program, and its head coach, will continue serve the local community proud.