For Revere High School (RHS) track coaches Coleen Fry and Meredith Wooly, building a successful team goes far beyond wins and fast times. From managing injuries to fostering team chemistry, Fry and Wooly work daily to support their athletes’ physical and mental growth throughout the demanding spring season.
Whether it is adjusting training plans, encouraging consistent effort, or teaching athletes how to stay grounded through setbacks, both coaches are committed to creating an environment where runners can improve, stay healthy, and take pride in their progress. Their approach blends structure with flexibility, helping the team meet challenges head-on while continuing to grow stronger together.
“I’m proud of the kids who show up, work hard and fight for every second they can shave off. Those little improvements add up,” Wooly said.
Like any endurance sport, the team has had to navigate its fair share of setbacks, particularly with injuries.
“We’ve battled some injuries. That’s always tough, but it’s part of the sport. Learning how to recover and adjust is as important as anything else,” Wooley said.
When obstacles arise, the team focuses on adaptability.
“Setbacks are part of the sport. We try not to panic. We adjust, we find solutions. Sometimes it’s cross-training, sometimes it’s changing expectations for a meet. Either way, it’s about moving forward,” Wooley said.
One of the major mental hurdles this season has been teaching athletes to stay patient when progress is not immediate.
“Getting everyone to understand that improvement isn’t always linear. You’re not going to PR every week. Sometimes you have to be patient with yourself,” Wooley said.
Despite the challenges, the coaching staff is keeping their goals clear as the season winds down.
“I want us to be peaking at the right time. Staying healthy, staying hungry. And I want every kid to leave feeling like they gave everything they had,” Wooley said.
That consistent work ethic, even on tough days, has been prominent out this fall.
“[What stands out is] how consistent they’ve been. It’s easy to work hard when you’re excited. It’s harder when it’s cold or you’re tired, but they’ve shown up every day,” Wooley said.
The program is also seeing exciting growth from some of its newer athletes.
“Some of our newer runners are coming along faster than I expected. It’s fun to watch someone realize they’re capable of more than they thought,” Fry said.
Throughout the season, coaches have emphasized the importance of perspective—especially when things do not go perfectly.
“We talk about the bigger picture. One bad day doesn’t define you. One bad race doesn’t erase months of work. I try to remind them of that whenever they need it,” Fry said.
The team also leans heavily on mental strength to get through tough races and tougher training weeks.
“It’s huge. Your mind gives up before your body does most of the time. If you believe you’re strong, you’ll be stronger. It’s not magic, but it’s real,” Wooley said.
With postseason meets ahead, the focus remains on building something lasting—both in performance and in team culture.
“My biggest hope is that we keep building the right habits. Keep staying healthy, keep competing hard, keep supporting each other. If we can keep doing that, the personal bests and the strong finishes will come. More than anything, I want them to walk away from this season proud of the work they’ve put in, no matter where they finish,” Fry said.
According to the coaching staff, this season has stood out not just for results, but for team chemistry.
“It’s been one of the best seasons I’ve been a part of. Not just because of how we’re performing at meets, but because of the atmosphere around the team. Everyone’s locked in but still having fun. Practices are competitive, but people are lifting each other up too. It feels like we’re really moving in the same direction this year,” Fry said.
That atmosphere has helped the team handle the pressure that comes with success.
“When the team’s doing well, it’s easy to start putting a lot of pressure on yourself to keep improving, to keep winning. I think all of us have had to find a balance between pushing hard and giving ourselves some grace. Progress doesn’t happen in a straight line, and it’s something we’ve all had to remind each other of at times,” Fry said
Heading into the final stretch, the goal is clear: give everything, stay together and finish with no regrets according to senior Charlotte Keenan.
“I just want us to finish strong and stay connected. No matter what happens at championship meets, I want everyone to feel like they left it all out there. I want us to be proud of how we competed and how we treated each other along the way,” Keenan said.
