MADISON- It's enough of a challenge taking the reins from a coaching legend. But when that coaching legend happens to be your father...
That is what's coming down at Madison Area Memorial High School, as Brandon Hagopian succeeds Bob Hagopian as the school's cross country coach. Brandon Hagopian, who ran for his father's teams in the mid-1990s, now is a physical education teacher at Madison Jr. High.
Bob Hagopian has coaches cross country at the high school and the junior high for a combined 30 years, and he's been the high school track coach for 15 years.
Father and son have the same easy-going, affable temperament. But that doesn't mean they're not serious about running.
ìIt's pretty big shoes to fill, Brandon Hagopian said last week. ìI grew up around running ñ me and my three brothers. I don't want to mess up, basically. I don't want to disappoint him.
Bob Hagopian, who still attends practices, also is leaning toward stepping down as track coach.
ìRight now I'm not sure of the track,î he said, ìbut it's looking that way. ìWith Matt McClintock still here and a few good girls coming up, he should have a good team this year.
Bob Hagopian is pleased to see his son take over a team with a combined 18 boys and girls, which equals a school record.
ìThat's one of the reasons I didn't have any hesistation giving it up,î he said. ìHe's been through this program.î
The new Madison cross country coach feels pretty fortunate to have one year coaching McClintock, one of the state's great runners. Brandon Hagopian ran behind Brady Scott in his high school years, and now McClintock is breaking Scott's records.
ìThat's a big step for me, coming in and coaching one of the best, if not the best, long-distance runners ever at Madison,î Hagopian said.
Freshman Tristan Rich looms as the No. 2 boys' runner behind McClintock, whose sister, junior Allie McClintock, is the top girls runners. The Bulldogs have eight freshmen out for the team, including a full girls' squad.
Madison begins its Mountain Valley Conference cross country schedule on Sept. 2 at Winthrop.
Hagopian competed in cross country, track and wrestling at William Penn in Iowa, graduating with a teaching degree. He taught for two years at Oak Hill and three at the Madison rival across the river, Carrabec. He's now in his fourth year at Madison Jr. High.