By: Marc Brower and Owen Brown
Coach Pertner also known as “Pert” has been a huge part of the cross country team for many years. He did confirm that this could very well be his last season coaching cross country, but they did find very good replacements to take over. With it being his last year, we wanted to see what thoughts he had for the current and final season of his coaching career.
We asked Coach Pertner how long he has been coaching and he responded jokingly,
“Too long… coming on thirty five years coaching different sports.”
In his coaching career, coach Pertner has been a part of the Freshman and JV basketball, Varsity track and field, and cross country programs. Doing basketball before then doing track and field and cross county at the same time after that.
Coach Pertner emphasized how well the girls are doing with the talent they have on the team. They don’t have a typical one or two runner but are still fighting out every race and staying competitive all the way to the finish line. There has been major improvement with the girls this season. He thought that many of the runners have really improved from last season to this season. A focal point for that is Maya Wettlaufer, who the coach described as the most improved runner due to many offseason miles. Then we went on to talk about the chemistry of the team.
“It’s always interesting, they are not best friends but they don’t dislike each other, so a solid team dynamic. As I always criticize athletes today, I wish they valued one another more, the running piece, but that is for all athletes. I want them to see them working hard to help them succeed, so it’s all worth it,” Coach Pertner said.
He thought that being able to get a good connection with people that you may not be best friends with, is a great way to set yourself up for working with others in a job. You may not be friends but being able to work with others will follow you through your whole life.
Most seasons in sports have a few great moments from the players and the coaches. Coach Pertner said that his favorite part of the 2023 season so far has been Cross Country Camp which is at the end of August. Being able to get to know each girl and have fun with them to start off the season on a high note.
“The thing I will miss the most is being involved with the kids at that level for sure. Then there are things that I will not miss, the non kid things,” He joked.
When asked if he has learned a lot from the kids over his long career of coaching he responded with,“Ohhh, yeah!”
(Picture above) Coach Pertner having fun at the Bredeweg Invitational.
Coach Pertner has learned a lot from the years of coaching, especially that it’s not all about the wins and the losses. He has learned that the most important thing is to get beyond the wins and losses to make the kids better adults.
Coach Pertner loves being involved with a successful episode of a person’s life and believes that is the best part about coaching these girls that are overcoming the obstacles to keep going, and to stay motivated.
“Showing them through hard work that you can get better or that you can indure pain and suffering, it’s okay, there is no good way to say that in cross,” Coach Pertner laughed.
One thing that coach Pertner commonly emphasizes on whether it is a team meeting, practice, or even a meet is the word, “continuous.” What he means by this is to continuously run on the road, or working out to make yourself a better athlete. Learning how to push through the tough times and it doesn’t stop just when the workout ends.
Coach Pertner has had an amazing coaching career at Hamilton and has had a positive influence on so many athletes. Through three different sports he has impacted athletes to be the best version of themselves and to go on to be the best adults they can be. Coach Pertner will be remembered by many as a helpful, positive and understanding coach. He will be greatly missed and we are grateful for all his years of coaching!