Kevin Breen (Head Coach)
Coach Breen has been a part of the running program in Clarkston Schools since 1995 when he first competed on the 7th grade Track team. He has been participating in Track and Field since he was 9 years old. Twenty some years later, he continues to run for enjoyment. His career accomplishments include setting several high school, regional, and county records. Also while in high school, Coach Breen was part of the Junior Olympic team where he achieved All-American status.
After graduating, Coach Breen ran for Oakland Community College where he became a team captain and led the Raiders to compete on the national stage. Following his success at Oakland Community College, he transferred to Eastern Michigan University where he would use up the rest of his eligibility. During his time at Eastern, he competed in several Mid-American Conference Championships, as well as ran at the Penn, Drake, and Seahawk Relays. While Breen was at Eastern Michigan, the team placed third at the Division 1 National Championship. “It was an outstanding experience having the ability to compete and train with athletes who were ranked at the very top” said Breen.
While at EMU, Breen ran and lived with outstanding runners including Boaz Cheboiywo, Gavin Thompson, and Jordan Desilets. Other notable athletes at EMU at the time were Joel David, Corey Nowitzki, Nduka Awazi, and Brandon Jiles (current coach of the Oak Park Track Team.) Coach Breen is proud to have such a wealth of experience and knowledge from which to draw.
Breen’s coaching experience began while finalizing his education degree from Eastern Michigan University. He participated as an assistant coach for Walnut Creek Middle School in Walled Lake. Breen started coaching for Clarkston Community Schools in 2009 with the Sashabaw Middle School Cross Country team. After realizing Breen’s talents and desire to coach, he was called by Athletic Director, Dan Fife, to move up and coach the Clarkston High School Girl’s Track and Cross Country teams. Since Breen’s start with the distance program, he has grown the team from 12 runners to 42. Between Cross Country and Track, he has made 11 state championship visits since the spring of 2009.
“I am proud to be part of such a great program. There is a lot of cross country tradition in Clarkston and it is a blast to be part of it again” states Breen.
“I think one of the things I am most proud of is the number of athletes who have been inspired by the program and continue to take what they learned about healthy living and continue to compete as alumni. We have athletes who are currently running for MSU, Oakland University, Albion, and Aquinas. On top of that, several alumni athletes are on club teams for their schools and compete in Half and Full Marathons, Triathlons, and 5ks.”
Coach Breen has been a part of the running program in Clarkston Schools since 1995 when he first competed on the 7th grade Track team. He has been participating in Track and Field since he was 9 years old. Twenty some years later, he continues to run for enjoyment. His career accomplishments include setting several high school, regional, and county records. Also while in high school, Coach Breen was part of the Junior Olympic team where he achieved All-American status.
After graduating, Coach Breen ran for Oakland Community College where he became a team captain and led the Raiders to compete on the national stage. Following his success at Oakland Community College, he transferred to Eastern Michigan University where he would use up the rest of his eligibility. During his time at Eastern, he competed in several Mid-American Conference Championships, as well as ran at the Penn, Drake, and Seahawk Relays. While Breen was at Eastern Michigan, the team placed third at the Division 1 National Championship. “It was an outstanding experience having the ability to compete and train with athletes who were ranked at the very top” said Breen.
While at EMU, Breen ran and lived with outstanding runners including Boaz Cheboiywo, Gavin Thompson, and Jordan Desilets. Other notable athletes at EMU at the time were Joel David, Corey Nowitzki, Nduka Awazi, and Brandon Jiles (current coach of the Oak Park Track Team.) Coach Breen is proud to have such a wealth of experience and knowledge from which to draw.
Breen’s coaching experience began while finalizing his education degree from Eastern Michigan University. He participated as an assistant coach for Walnut Creek Middle School in Walled Lake. Breen started coaching for Clarkston Community Schools in 2009 with the Sashabaw Middle School Cross Country team. After realizing Breen’s talents and desire to coach, he was called by Athletic Director, Dan Fife, to move up and coach the Clarkston High School Girl’s Track and Cross Country teams. Since Breen’s start with the distance program, he has grown the team from 12 runners to 42. Between Cross Country and Track, he has made 11 state championship visits since the spring of 2009.
“I am proud to be part of such a great program. There is a lot of cross country tradition in Clarkston and it is a blast to be part of it again” states Breen.
“I think one of the things I am most proud of is the number of athletes who have been inspired by the program and continue to take what they learned about healthy living and continue to compete as alumni. We have athletes who are currently running for MSU, Oakland University, Albion, and Aquinas. On top of that, several alumni athletes are on club teams for their schools and compete in Half and Full Marathons, Triathlons, and 5ks.”
Kaitlin Catania ( Assistant Coach )
Ashlyn Catania ( Parent Volunteer )
Ashlyn Catania is so much more than a parent volunteer. She acts as a liaison between the coaches and parents. Ashlyn thanklessly takes on and assists with planning, events, and general organization of the team.
Ashlyn has been with the team for the last five years since her oldest daughter Kaitlyn started running with the distance team her sophomore year in 2009. From Ashlyn's start with the team, she has shown initiative and excitement in learning the ins and outs of the sport and in doing so has had the opportunity to travel with the team to the state championships on several occasions.
Ashlyn now supports her oldest daughter as she runs for Oakland University's cross country and track team and her daughters Kelsey and Hailey who are both on the high school team.
Sincere thanks go out to Ashlyn and all she does to help this team grow!
Split Timers
The Clarkston Cross Country team is always in need of timers (the more the merrier) . The accurate documentation of times allows coach Breen to see flaws in race strategies and develop specific training plans to assist in the development and improvement of the many runners on the team.
Ashlyn Catania is so much more than a parent volunteer. She acts as a liaison between the coaches and parents. Ashlyn thanklessly takes on and assists with planning, events, and general organization of the team.
Ashlyn has been with the team for the last five years since her oldest daughter Kaitlyn started running with the distance team her sophomore year in 2009. From Ashlyn's start with the team, she has shown initiative and excitement in learning the ins and outs of the sport and in doing so has had the opportunity to travel with the team to the state championships on several occasions.
Ashlyn now supports her oldest daughter as she runs for Oakland University's cross country and track team and her daughters Kelsey and Hailey who are both on the high school team.
Sincere thanks go out to Ashlyn and all she does to help this team grow!
Split Timers
The Clarkston Cross Country team is always in need of timers (the more the merrier) . The accurate documentation of times allows coach Breen to see flaws in race strategies and develop specific training plans to assist in the development and improvement of the many runners on the team.
There is the Bill of Rights, there is the Constitution, and there are
The Coaches Laws
1. Too much crying causes dehydration.
2. Winter running makes you tough(er).
3. Wear SXC clothing at least once a week.
4. Ketchup is not a vegetable.
5. No whining.
8. Don’t share water bottles. The teammate thing only goes so far.
12. When your mom and dad come to watch a meet, give them a hug after you race.
13. It’s OK to beat your best friend. If they are your best friend, they’ll understand.
14. Don’t wear a dirty or wrinkled uniform.
15. Befriend a freshman.
16. When leaves fall, so should your times.
17. Pack your bag the night before a meet.
18. Learn each of your teammate’s names.
19. Take pride in both your PR and your GPA.
20. Find a running partner(s).
21. Learn to look forward to horrible weather.
22. Don’t forget your parents’ birthdays and Mother’s/Father’s Day.
23. Be a leader.
24. Don’t irritate your coach
25. Remember that popsicles make you run faster.
27. Say please and thank you.
28. Smile at your teachers. It can’t hurt.
30. Accept the fact that port-a-johns are a part of cross country.
31. Be on time.
32. Remember that character is what you do when no one else is around.
33. Thank the bus driver.
34. Use correct grammar and learn to write good/well.
35. Train in good shoes and don’t wait too long to replace them.
36. Always beat guys when you get the chance. It’s good for their egos.
37. Search parties aren’t much fun; don’t get lost during a race.
38. Always go back out on the course after you finish to help your teammates.
39. If you feel yourself getting too nervous….. smile!
40. Sleep with your spikes the night before a big race.
41. On a hill, it’s how you run at the top of it rather than how you run going up it.
42. Splits and times can vary because of the course and conditions. Race people!
43. How “lucky” someone is seems to go in direct proportion to how hard they work.
44. After a race, find at least five teammates and congratulate them.
45. Get to know runners from other schools.
46. Don’t spend half your day texting or talking on your cell phone.
. . . the Coach’s Laws!
The Coaches Laws
1. Too much crying causes dehydration.
2. Winter running makes you tough(er).
3. Wear SXC clothing at least once a week.
4. Ketchup is not a vegetable.
5. No whining.
8. Don’t share water bottles. The teammate thing only goes so far.
12. When your mom and dad come to watch a meet, give them a hug after you race.
13. It’s OK to beat your best friend. If they are your best friend, they’ll understand.
14. Don’t wear a dirty or wrinkled uniform.
15. Befriend a freshman.
16. When leaves fall, so should your times.
17. Pack your bag the night before a meet.
18. Learn each of your teammate’s names.
19. Take pride in both your PR and your GPA.
20. Find a running partner(s).
21. Learn to look forward to horrible weather.
22. Don’t forget your parents’ birthdays and Mother’s/Father’s Day.
23. Be a leader.
24. Don’t irritate your coach
25. Remember that popsicles make you run faster.
27. Say please and thank you.
28. Smile at your teachers. It can’t hurt.
30. Accept the fact that port-a-johns are a part of cross country.
31. Be on time.
32. Remember that character is what you do when no one else is around.
33. Thank the bus driver.
34. Use correct grammar and learn to write good/well.
35. Train in good shoes and don’t wait too long to replace them.
36. Always beat guys when you get the chance. It’s good for their egos.
37. Search parties aren’t much fun; don’t get lost during a race.
38. Always go back out on the course after you finish to help your teammates.
39. If you feel yourself getting too nervous….. smile!
40. Sleep with your spikes the night before a big race.
41. On a hill, it’s how you run at the top of it rather than how you run going up it.
42. Splits and times can vary because of the course and conditions. Race people!
43. How “lucky” someone is seems to go in direct proportion to how hard they work.
44. After a race, find at least five teammates and congratulate them.
45. Get to know runners from other schools.
46. Don’t spend half your day texting or talking on your cell phone.
. . . the Coach’s Laws!