Championship Debrief: Rich Raney & CJ Michaud (Muskego Girls XC)

We are pumped to bring you all another Championship Debrief, this time with the co-head coaches of the Girls D1 Wisconsin State Cross Country Champion Muskego Warriors. 2019 was the second consecutive title for Rich & CJ's squad, in addition to a runner-up finish in 2017. The guys talk about how their mantra and goal of "Better" helps build a culture of shared purpose and community, the thought process & goals behind not racing their top two runners until the conference meet in the 2018 XC season, and how mindset and training shifted this fall as defending State champs. 

We get a great insight into how overcoming ego, fear, and uncertainty led them to combine programs, and how it has enriched the experience for everyone involved. Michaud & Raney also share their takes on the challenges of balancing family life and coaching (including a very practical example from Rich), and how their humble origins as athletes enable them to connect broadly with their team to create a sense of purpose, regardless of an individual's PR. These guys are a blast to spend time with, and their passion for the sport and their program are evident in the way they talk about every aspect of what they do, and how & why they do it.