This past season, the Summit High School track and field team looked a little bit different than it has for the better part of two decades.
Longtime head coach Kristy McClain quietly stepped down from coaching the Summit track and field team at the end of the 2023 track season and passed the torch on to current head coach Jay Peltier. As the team broke numerous school records this year and sent a slew of athletes to state, McClain cheered the Tigers on from the bleachers for the first time in many years.
McClain began her coaching career nearly 30 years ago when she was entering her first year of teaching in the state of Nebraska in 1995.As a collegiate runner for Simpson College in Iowa, McClain felt inspired to give back to the sport by becoming a coach when the opportunity arose.
“I was recruited to run out of high school, and it was the best experience,” McClain said. “I wanted to keep up with it. Running has always been a part of what I do. That is why I got into coaching — because I wanted to share that love with my athletes.”
After beginning her coaching career as a middle school track and field coach, McClain went to graduate school for two years before returning back to teaching and coaching.
McClain coached middle school cross-country and track while teaching at Indianola High School in Iowa until she made the move to Colorado. In her first few years in the Centennial State, McClain taught at Lake County High School in Leadville while also lending her coaching expertise to a sport she had little to no knowledge in.
“I taught at Lake County for two years, and I coached volleyball,” McClain said with a laugh. “I have never played, and am terrified of the ball. I coached the first year at the middle school and, the second year, the C-team at the high school.”
In the fall of 2002, McClain found her way to Summit County where she began teaching English. McClain did not coach at Summit High School her first year at the school, but in the spring of 2004, she was named co-head coach of the track and field team alongside Rob Royer.
McClain coached with Royer for a couple of years before the Summit English teacher took over full control of the program as the main head coach.
Throughout the years, McClain has fostered relationships with her student-athletes, sparking a lifelong love of the sport within them and shaping them into hardworking young adults.
“I am excited about state championships and state qualifications, but what I really love is getting the kids interested in running and becoming lifelong runners,” McClain said. “Realize the value of being active and how that helps them and their health “
In 20 seasons of coaching track at Summit High School, McClain has seen numerous teams come and go over the years, but she is most proud of the accomplishments of the 2015 girls 4×400-meter and 4×800-meter relays teams.
With Ruthie Boyd, Jessica Horii, McKenna Ramsay and Megan McDonnell all running on the relays throughout the track season, the quartet of runners were able to snag both school records, displaying what is possible with determination and hard work.
“That was one of my favorite groups,” McClain said. “They worked so hard to get the record for the 4×800 and 4×400. That series of four years of going to the state track meet in both those events for them and then of course McKenna qualifying in the 200.”
McClain also fondly remembers when 2014 graduate and now Nike-sponsored runner Liam Meirow won a state title in the Class 4A boys 1600-meter run his senior track season.
“That was an amazing feeling,” McClain said. “It was so fun to watch.”
Beyond reveling in athlete’s performances, McClain will miss experiencing the moments athletes share outside of their track events.
“One of my favorite things that I have seen over the years is the kids going up to their competitors and giving them a high-five or congratulating them,” McClain said. “That kindness that seems to be unique to track and cross-country meets. You see it in different sports, but it is cool when kids interact with other athletes and within our team.”
Although she is still enamored with the sport, McClain felt like it was the right time to step away from the team in order to enjoy life outside of coaching.
“I thought it was the right time for Jay to step in as the head coach,” McClain said. “Working with him over the last couple of years, I knew the team would be in great hands. I felt comfortable and ready for a change for the team and also for me.”
With more time after school hours, McClain has been enjoying walks with her dog while also logging her own miles ahead of the Revel Rockies half marathon next month.
Over the next few years, McClain plans to continue to develop well-rounded students in her classroom before eventually retiring from teaching.
“Running has been one of the most defining pieces of my life,” McClain said. “I love being a part of it, but I also knew when it was time to step away and look for new horizons.”
