No one understands a state's cross country scene better than the coaches who experience it firsthand.
This season, coaches have helped MileSplit expand its coverage by sharing their knowledge of local athletes, teams, conferences and developments within the sport. Their contributions show that coaching content can take many forms, from helping new families understand cross country to previewing an entire region.
Here are a few examples of the stories coaches have contributed this season.
A Parent's Guide to Surviving the World's Greatest Sport
Michelle Sawyer offers new cross country parents a helpful-and entertaining-introduction to the sport in A Parent's Guide to Surviving the World's Greatest Sport.
Sawyer explains everything from team scoring and race-day spectating to common training terms. Her coaching perspective allows her to answer the questions families often have when they encounter cross country for the first time.
Learning the "How" of Cross Country
Drawing on 25 years of coaching experience, Gregg Buehler explores the physical and mental challenges of distance running in Cross Country's Hardest Question: Learning How, Not Why.
Buehler uses his own journey into endurance sports to explain why runners should focus on how they will overcome the sport's challenges rather than why they run. His personal perspective demonstrates how coaches can contribute meaningful stories that connect with athletes, parents and fellow coaches beyond results and rankings.
Five Storylines Shaping Indiana Cross Country
Rick Sluder surveys the state's early-season landscape in Top Five Storylines Heading Into 2026 IHSAA Cross Country.
From returning champions and national contenders to new regional courses, coaching changes and weather-related disruptions, Sluder identifies the developments likely to shape Indiana's season. His statewide perspective demonstrates how contributors can help readers understand not only who to watch, but also the larger stories affecting their local cross country community.
A New Home for Minnesota's State Meet
Minnesota's state cross country championships will be held at a third venue in four years. In 2026: A New Season, Another New State Meet Venue, Chad Claybaugh explains how the meet arrived at Majestic Oaks Golf Course.
Claybaugh provides historical context on the state meet's previous locations while offering insight into the challenges involved in finding a course capable of hosting one of Minnesota's biggest meets.
Previewing All 17 Northwest Ohio Conferences
Christian Booze takes an in-depth look at the upcoming season in 2026 Northwest Ohio XC: All 17 Conferences Previewed.
The comprehensive preview identifies the leading teams, returning athletes and potential conference races throughout Northwest Ohio. It is the type of detailed regional coverage that becomes possible when contributors bring strong knowledge of their local cross country communities.
Inside a Defending Maryland State Champion
Jacqueline Suarez goes inside the Bethesda-Chevy Chase girls program in 2025 State Champion Series: Bethesda-Chevy Chase - 4A Girls.
Through a conversation with coach Gildon Kirk, the article explores the culture behind the program's consecutive state championships, the athletes expected to take on larger roles and the team's goals for 2026. The feature shows how local contributors can go beyond statistics to introduce readers to the coaches, traditions and relationships behind a successful program.
Help Us Tell More Cross Country Stories
These articles represent just a few of the stories coaches can help bring to MileSplit. Contributors can write about the athletes, teams and developments they know best without needing to cover every part of their state.
MileSplit is still seeking coaching contributors. Potential topics include athlete features, team spotlights, regional previews, breakout runners, coaching perspectives and other timely stories from the cross country community.
Interested coaches can learn more about the opportunity and submit their information here.