Jermyn honored as National Coach of the Year

Plains native and Bozeman High School cross-country coach Casey Jermyn recently headed to Phoenix, Arizona to accept his award of National Cross-Country Coach of the year.

“It’s been a great week down in Arizona, I was able to attend a week long coaches clinic as well,” said Jermyn.

Jermyn’s award is for the 2016 season.

A born-and-bred Plains man, Jermyn now resides in Bozeman running his shop Bozeman Running Company as well as coaching cross country.

“I started running as a freshman in high school, and I’ll be honest; I think I complained every single practice,” he said laughing.

“It took a couple of years for me to really understand what I was doing, but when it all clicked for me, I never looked back,” he continued.

Cross-country running would take the local runner through high school and through college. Adding that through his coach at the time Tim Brooker, the Plains High School had really built a well oiled and tough team.

“Because of my running, I was able to get a scholarship for college,” said Jermyn.

Now coaching himself, Jermyn said it was an honor to have been nominated for the state coaching award.

His Bozeman team went undefeated last year.

“My team saw tough competition at the regional finals and to win that was a great accomplishment. Then to go onto to nationals and win again, I couldn’t be more proud,” he explained.

Jermyn also added that with this year’s team he brought all 50 kids to Plains over the summer for their training camp.

“We went everywhere, and it was great to have so many different ‘training’ areas for the kids to thrive in,” he said.

“Running has given so much to my life, and to win the award was just a great way to be recognized,” said Jermyn of his big title.

There is certainly something in the water here in Plains when it comes to locals taking on the world.

“Running really has given me so much and it all started in high school while growing up in Plains,” said Jermyn.