After assisting on VWS cross country and VWS soccer coaching teams in 2021-22, Coach Russell has taken over the VWS cross country program for 2022-23.

Russell’s most important goal for her athletes this season is to create a fun and supportive team atmosphere. She wants her runners to feel encouraged to improve their speed, endurance and resilience. Experience and the beautiful local terrains will be running the program this season.

Russell said she believes building character is crucial for every runner.

“I will support a team atmosphere in which students cultivate their respect, resilience and empathy towards one another so that each runner feels empowered to achieve their person running goals,” Russell said.

The most exciting part of this season is that the VWS runners will finally get to participate in races on their own home turf. VWS cross country will host Montclair on September 29.

srussell@webb.org

With a background in seven sports, Coach Caldwell comes with quite the coaching resume. For the 2022-23 season, Caldwell is excited to have senior leadership to guide the program. Etienne Griffon, Garrett Cordova-Caddes, Connor Plunkett, Daniel Hu, Isaac Nicolosi, Felipe Murrillo, Austin Berg and Griffin Suttner will be among the experienced leaders on the team.

Caldwell hopes to continue to build on lifetime fitness and long-term health efforts while seeking for every runner to achieve a personal best time in a 5K race, to win league and make it to CIF finals.

Caldwell said he believes in treating each other with respect and supporting your teammates.

“Appreciate and value those around who help you achieve your goals. A team is a place where you can grow as an individual among people you enjoy and trust while achieving things for a greater cause,” he said.

bcaldwell@webb.org

Morgan Kapp is the assistant coach for VWS cross country. She is also a world languages teacher for Webb.