At the first turn, which led to the wooded part of the course, there wasn’t just any course marshal, but something of an actual celebrity in Warrenton harrier lore.
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At the first turn, which led to the wooded part of the course, there wasn’t just any course marshal, but something of an actual celebrity in Warrenton harrier lore.
There stood former Warriors runner and coach Mike Spoede, pointing out the first turn into the woods for each of the event’s participants.
Spoede, who retired from teaching and coaching a decade ago, still works the event that bears his name.
“Just to see this area come to life, it is (special),” Spoede said. “This was just a parking lot. To see all the people and all the teams – there are 18 schools here – to see it come to life is amazing.”
The coach, who has long loved cross country, said he was taken aback when he learned the school’s home meet would bear his name. The first Mike Spoede Invitational was contested in the fall of 2019.
Before then, the event, which started in the early 2000s, was known as the Warrenton Invitational.
“It’s quite an honor,” Spoede said. “I graduated from Warrenton, and I was on the very first cross country team we had. I’ve been with the program since 1971. It was quite a surprise when I retired that they would do this. It’s an honor.”
Current Warrenton Cross Country Coach Jeremy Collins said having Spoede around since his first days at the school, right through to the present day, has been a blessing.
Collins added that the coach is a wealth of knowledge he still draws on today.
“Coach Spoede was the track and cross country coach when I started at Warrenton for the 2008-2009 school year,” Collins said. “I was an assistant track coach for him, and I learned a lot while he was the track coach. I also ran with the cross country team when I could and helped a little. He is very knowledgeable about running, so it was very beneficial to see how he did things and how much work he put into both programs. He really enjoys helping get the course ready for the meet and he helps out on the course. Getting the course marked, set up and in the best condition possible isn't easy, but Coach Spoede makes it look easy and it is great to have him around.”
