RUHS track, cross country coach Bob Leetch honored with west coast award
by Garth Meyer
Bob Leetch, RUHS head track and cross-country coach, is now in his 20th year guiding teams at Redondo Union, of which he is an alumnus, a CIF champion (Mile, 1980 – a school record), and in the Top 75 Athletes in the history of El Camino College, later All-Big 8 at Kansas State.
Last month, the father of two students in the Redondo school district, received the Brooks (running shoes) Inspiring Coaches Program award –West Coast. He was nominated by his team.
“It’s really an honor that it was completely generated by the (kids),” he said.
On Nov. 30, the boys cross-country team took third place in CIF (Division One) in Fresno, the highest cross-country finish in school history.
“Our philosophy is to try to get kids to be their best, and work their hardest,” Leetch said.
The cross country team had 129 athletes this year (boys and girls), and the track team 250.
Junior distance runner Alexandra Manss was one of the kids who nominated Leetch.
“Coach Bob really cares about all his athletes, and has a personalized plan for each,” she said. “The stressors involved outside of running he really takes into play, so we are all well-rounded people…”
“Also, he is very realistic in that we’re not just athletes, we’re also students and friends, daughters and sons.”
Manss began with Leetch as a seventh-grader on his club track team. She is now a mentor for the club.
The Brooks company honored eight people nationwide with The Inspiring Coaches Award, which recognizes coaches for their work in shaping young lives.
What has Leetch learned in these 20 years?
“The biggest thing I’ve learned; I got into it just for the wins, and along the way, we realized if your attitude is good, and your work ethic is good, it affects everybody. And when that happens, winning comes along with it.”
Preparation is key.
“If you want a good fall in cross-country, you have to have a good summer,” Leetch said. “If you want a good spring, you need a good winter.” ER