Extra Mile Going the

Porras’ positive coaching style earns him Indiana Cross-Country Coach of the Year

By Elie Smith, Guest Reporter

Gabe Porras won the Indiana Cross-Country Coach of the Year Award and was nominated for U.S. Cross-Country Coach of the Year for an outstanding performance this past year.

Porras was one of five nominated by the Indiana Association of Track and Cross-Country Coaches and voted for by coaches across the state.

“It was a cool accomplishment,” Porras said, “representative of all the hard work, not just for me, but the assistant coach and the athletes and everyone part of the community.”

The transition from small town coach to state representative is a major feat, yet his contributions to cross-country and the culture of sports seemed to already extend beyond Zionsville.

“He’s great at connecting with his athletes, peer coaches, and other schools,” athletic director Greg Schellhase said. “He runs a very highly respected program.”

Alongside a career as a high school Spanish teacher, Porras has been coaching for nearly 22 years. His distinct style has encouraged students and athletes alike to put forth their best efforts.

“He creates a culture that’s positive for all of our students, that they want to be a part of,” Schellhase said. “Those relationships are at the core of why he’s been so successful.”

Porras’ coaching philosophy follows his own realization that cross-country is an activity that students are choosing to commit to; therefore, Porras said, it is essential to make it enjoyable and acknowledge that the athletes always want to do their best in competitions.

“My role as a coach is to make them as confident and calm as possible before the race,” Porras said. “I try to be a calming presence on meet day to make sure that they’re set up to be as successful as they can be.”

This last cross-country season, Porras’ varsity boys team placed second in state––knocking out Zionsville Community High School’s previous best placement of sixth––and peaked at twelfth best team in the nation during the season.

“You want to do your best because he’s giving you all he can,” senior cross-country runner Ryan Luke said. “He puts in so many hours behind-the-scenes.”

Luke suffered three ankle injuries during his junior season. Luke said Porras helped Luke to continue to be a part of the team despite his injuries and eventually return after recovery.

“It really made me feel wanted and want to come back the next year, even though I was considering quitting,” Luke said.

Porras’ consistent and unconditional support for his athletes and his entertain- ing, yet determined methods of coaching will officially be recognized as the national Coach of the Year Award selection draws nearer. Nonetheless, Porras is extremely proud of this season and looks forward to even greater achievements to come, noting the team was 2.8 seconds away from placing first at state last season.

“There’s always motivation to try to do better,” Porras said. “One of the good things about the sport is the clock will always motivate you to do a little bit better.”