Washington Cross Country Hall of Fame 2026: Thank You's
A Heart Full of Gratitude: Reflecting on My Washington Cross Country Hall of Fame Induction
Being inducted into the Washington Cross Country Hall of Fame on January 23, 2026, was never something I sought or expected. But standing in that room at the Tacoma Murano Hotel, surrounded by so many people who have shaped this journey, I was reminded that this recognition belongs not to one individual, but to an entire community that made it possible.
To the Washington Cross Country Coaches Association
Thank you for this extraordinary honor. This recognition reflects not one person's achievement, but the collective excellence of an entire community of coaches, athletes, and supporters who make high school cross country in Washington State something truly special. Your commitment to excellence, your dedication to developing young athletes, and your unwavering support of coaches across the state have created a culture where championships are byproducts of daily work and character formation. It is a privilege to be counted among the distinguished coaches in this Hall of Fame.
To the Coaches Who Shaped My Journey
Before I could give to others, I had to receive. Mr. Ken Springer, you were the teacher who first got me into running—you saw something in me that I hadn't yet seen in myself. Dennis McDonald, Steve Dobosz, and Brian Anderson—my high school coaches—you taught me what it meant to pursue excellence, to push through the hard miles, and to believe that running could open doors I never imagined possible. You gave me the foundation for everything that followed.
John Buck and Marshall Clark, my college coaches, you continued to develop not just my physical abilities but my understanding of what it takes to compete at the highest level. Bill Collins and Steve McConkey, my club coaches, showed me that running can be a lifelong journey of growth and achievement.
Each of you invested in me when I was the athlete, the student, the young runner trying to find his way. The lessons you taught me about discipline, perseverance, and character became the very foundation of how I would later coach others. This Hall of Fame honor is built on the investment you made in me. Thank you for believing in me and showing me the way.
To My Mentors in Coaching Excellence
I also want to express deep gratitude to Dr. Jack Daniels, Joe Vigil, and Peter Thompson, whose USA Track & Field Level Three coaching courses, taught together, were among the finest educational experiences of my coaching career. Your expertise, your willingness to share decades of knowledge, and your passion for developing coaches transformed how I understood the science and art of distance running. The principles you taught didn't just make me a better technician—they gave me the tools to help young athletes reach their potential safely and effectively.
Dave Pavlansky, thank you for your tireless work in organizing and teaching these courses. Your dedication to elevating the coaching profession created opportunities for coaches like me to learn from the very best.
To My Assistant Coaches
Mike Michael, Pam Summers, Robert Kondrat, Dr. Tracy Russell, and other exceptional assistant coaches over the years—you are the foundation upon which everything was built. Your tireless dedication, your willingness to invest in young lives day after day, your expertise and commitment—these are the elements that truly shaped our programs. Championships fade. Medals end up in boxes. But the impact you've had on hundreds of young lives will echo for generations. This honor is as much yours as it is mine.
To My Former and Current Athletes
You are the reason I coach. Every early morning workout, every mile logged, every moment of struggle and triumph—you taught me far more than I ever taught you. You showed me what resilience looks like. You demonstrated that character is forged in the hardest miles. You proved that a team built on faith, family, and formation can accomplish extraordinary things.
From Northwest Christian's consecutive state championships records to Pope John Paul II's breakthrough state championships and barrier-breaking achievements, you've written stories that continue to inspire. The countless athletes who qualified for state, shattered expectations, and became better people through this sport—you represent the true measure of success. Thank you for your dedication, your trust, and your willingness to pursue excellence in all its forms.
To the Parents
Thank you for entrusting me with your most precious gifts. Thank you for the early morning drives, the meet-day support, the unwavering belief, and for understanding that we were building something bigger than fast times. You partnered with us in developing not just runners, but leaders, servants, and people of character. Your partnership made everything possible.
To My Wife Julie
Julie, you are the heart of this entire journey. You've been my partner in every sense—from pilates and conditioning work with the athletes to being a mentor and mother figure to hundreds of young runners. You've sacrificed countless evenings and weekends. You've welcomed teams into our home and our lives. You've understood from the beginning that running is a tool for formation, for building character, for helping young people discover who they're called to be.
The thirteen state championships, the individual titles, the athletes qualifying for Olympic Trials—none of it happens without you. You are the foundation of everything we've built together. Thank you for your unwavering support, your wisdom, and your love.
Looking Forward
As I reflect on fifteen years of high school coaching and this incredible honor, I'm reminded that our work has never been about speed or medals. It's about formation—physical capacity, mental resilience, emotional regulation, character development, and community connection. It's about helping young people navigate the hardest parts of their journey, where they discover their true strength and character.
This Washington Cross Country Hall of Fame induction is humbling beyond measure. It belongs to every athlete who gave their all, every assistant coach who invested their expertise and heart, every parent who believed in our mission, and especially to Julie, who made it all possible.
Above all, I give thanks to God for the incredible privilege of using running as ministry, for the opportunity to witness young lives transformed, and for the constant reminder that our work is never really about the championships—it's about the people and the relationships that last forever.
With deep gratitude and humble thanks,
Coach Larry Weber
Pope John Paul II High School
2026 Washington Cross Country Hall of Fame Inductee
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