Wilfredo Rivera

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	Wilfredo Rivera, Head Coach, South Brunswick Wilfredo Rivera finished 5th at the 1996 MOC in the 1600 for the Old Bridge Knights, losing to some notable famous Jersey runners, Matt Elmuccio of Westfield and Steve Slattery of Mt. Olive. Since then he has gone to turn the South Brunswick program into one of the GMC's finest, starting as an assistant coach and then eventually taking over the program as head coach. GMCrunning: Looking back at your high school career, what can you say was the most exciting and most disappointing moment? WR:I really think being a part of the Penn Relays experience is something I'll never forget. We had a great group of guys (Steve Weis, Marco Boano, & Nick Gantt)in our DM and going there and competing well was something I'll never forget. My most disappointing moment was finishing 5th in 1600 at MOC my senior year. I was in the best shape of my life and I made a move to win the race and paid dearly for it but that's how it goes sometimes. GMCrunning:How do you feel about coaching against your high school alma mater? WR:I love it and hate it at the same time. Its a bag of mixed emotions. I have the greatest respect for Coach Gebauer and Coach Campbell. Everything I know about this sport I learned from them. Their commitment and dedication to coaching/teaching is something I can only hope to emulate. Yet, with all that being said, I can't stomach losing to them (lol) GMCrunning: What do you think about the headlines always reading that South Brunswick is always trying to catch Old Bridge? WR:I have no problem with it. I mean it's pretty accurate. Old Bridge is the benchmark of xc/track & field in the GMC. Their track record is unmatched as of late, though St. Joes has a great history as well. The coaching staff at South Brunswick is trying to replicate the Old Bridge model, which is with a great work ethic and dedication to the sport, good things happen. Once that translates into a couple of successful years, you'll have a program that people want to be a part of. GMCrunning:Now that you have been on both sides, both coach and athlete, do you feel you understand your athletes better? WR:Yes and No. I mean at one time I knew what it took to be a great teammate and competitor but times have changed a bit. Kids nowadays (I guess I am now officially old) seem to have so much on their plates, with school, clubs, SAT prep classes, music lessons, etc. It seems that it is hard to get kids to commit to a vision/goal and give it 100% all of the time. But there are those that know what it takes and these are the kids that I understand best. GMCrunning:What would you say is your coaching philosophy/mentality? WR:I believe in accountability and setting the highest of standards and expectations. I'm a break you down and build you up kind of guy and at times that gets me in trouble with some folks but when the athletes understand where I'm coming from, it's worth the trouble. I love my athletes and want the best for them at all times. GMCrunning:Best Athlete you ever coached? WR:I have coached now for five years, so my experience is limited. If I had to identify an athlete that was the best all around, I would have to say Amy Rhein. I coached Amy as an assistant distance coach for the xc/winter/spring seasons of 2002-2005. She was such a great kid and athlete. She was a student of the sport and really listened to her coaches and grew as an athlete. As a teammate, she was selfless and led by example. The day she won her first county title was a proud moment for me as a coach (Winter GMCs 1600 2004) GMCrunning:There is a lot of talk that high school athlete are over raced. Having been on both sides, what is your opinion? WR:I think that some kids are. Yet the thing with our sport is that it's all about phases. You build a base, you maintain that base, and you peak at the right time in hopes of being successful. The goal is to make it as seamless as possible so that your athlete has a great year and not just a great season (particularly a 3 season runner) Therefore, if you take that into consideration for dual meets and championship meets and incorporate training that compliments the long term goals, there is no reason why an athlete should experience burnout. GMCrunning:Having gone through such a successful program at Old Bridge, do you think you brought that attitude of being successful to South Brunswick? WR:For sure. I am a product of a successful program. I have had the greatest mentors both as an athlete and as an assistant coach here at South Brunswick. Therefore, I know what it takes to win and it revolves around respect and hard work. There are no big secrets, you get out what you put in, and I'm trying to make my athletes understand that. GMCrunning:Did you have a favorite athlete growing up? WR:Jerry Rice of the San Francisco 49ers. The guy was all class and the greatest football player of all time (in my opinion). I respect him so much that I even watched him in Dancing With the Stars. GMCrunning:Do you still get out the door for a run or have you closed your running career? WR: I don't run nearly as much as I should. Every time I start up again I jump in and go an hour and before I know it those shins are killing me. For now coaching is my top priority but hey you never know, maybe one day I'll be back. Coach Rivera in action in a dual meet vs. his alma Mater, Old Bridge