Emmett Foster has been named the new cross country coach for Nome Beltz Middle High School. Foster, who hails from northern Arizona, brings a unique blend of teaching experience and a passion for running to his new role.
Foster’s first visit to Nome over a decade ago ignited a passion for the unique land and people of the region.
“I graduated high school and came right up to Nome like three days later to do some volunteer work,” Foster said. “Ever since I was 18, I’ve had this long love affair with Nome and fell in love with the place and the people and Alaska in general.”
After returning to Arizona to complete his education, Foster started his teaching career in Oklahoma where he taught kindergarten and first grade. He later moved to Alaska full-time to attend the University of Alaska Fairbanks. This April, Foster accepted a job to become a fourth grade teacher at Nome Elementary School and offered to help with the cross country team. To his surprise, there just so happened to be an opening after the former coach, Ryan Fox, moved to Anchorage this spring.
“Through conversations with the AD and high school principal here, I decided that I would put my name in the hat and apply,” Foster said. “Even though I’ve never coached before, I’m just really passionate about sharing this sport and sharing this passion with our young people.”
Although this will be Foster’s first coaching experience, he’s no stranger to running. He competed in cross country in high school and has since ran marathons and completed long-distance hikes across the country. Last year alone, Foster says he logged 4,000 miles by foot.
Foster shared the philosophical aspects of running that he hopes to instill in his students.
“Distance running is a sport against yourself. It’s a sport against your own mind,” he explained. “My job as a coach is to help them realize that they’re capable of way more than they often tell themselves they are.”
The cross country season is set to begin on August 29 in Soldotna. The Nome Invitational will take place on September 7, followed by races every weekend in September in Kotzebue, Chugiak, and Utqiagvik. The state championships in Anchorage will cap off the season on October 5.
The new coach also stressed the importance of community support through fundraising. At Foster’s introductory parent meeting on August 1, Nome Public Schools Athletic Director Patrick Callahan suggested that the team will need to raise thousands of dollars to compete at every meet. The exact number needed to fund travel and lodging for the team will be determined in the coming weeks.
“It’s going to take a big community to be able to support our runners to the state competition,” Foster explained. “If any of our community members see an opportunity to support our runners, I very humbly and kindly ask that you do so.”
