Easley High School cross country coach Braxton Sheriff with his family (his wife Laura and son Parker). Braxton is also training to run his first-ever marathon.
Photo submitted
EASLEY — You’ve heard that saying: “Going the extra mile.”
That’s exactly Easley High School cross country coach Braxton Sheriff is doing, literally. Several of you remember Sheriff as the gung-ho cross country and track runner at EHS (2011 EHS grad). He went on to run at Winthrop University (both cross country and track) and graduated in 2015. He said the most he’s ever run at one time was 18 miles once in college during a meet in North Carolina.
“I started coaching cross country as an assistant in 2016 and took over as head coach in 2019 and now entering my sixth cross country season at Easley
The running program of Sheriff is definitely kicking in with several runners from Easley high School now running on the college level. They include – Josue Avendano (Southern Wesleyan University, 2020), Brayden Contreras (Erskine University, 2023), Caroline Irvin (Anderson University, 2023) and Emma Bright (North Greenville University, 2020; Home-schooled).
Braxton has been married for five years now to his wife Laura and they have a son named Parker who will be 3 in January. Don’t forget, too, their husky (named Luna) that is 5 years old.
Braxton took some time to answer a couple of questions.
Q: Sounds like you have been training for your first marathon. Can you talk about that and how your training has been leading up to it?
SHERIFF: It has always been a dream of mine to run a marathon and qualify for the Boston Marathon. This year I finally decided to sign up for my first one and will be doing the Kiawah Island Marathon December 14th. Training has been going well for me. Since April, I have consistently been running 40 miles a week. I’ll also do strength training in the weight room, as well as, swimming in the pool.
Q: What advice would you give to an eighth or ninth grader who is interested in running cross country at EHS?
SHERIFF: Advice to a younger runner would be simply to just start running and see what you can do once you put your mind to something. Cross Country is hard, but consistency is the key. Those first 2 weeks getting started are the toughest for anyone, even returning runners. What I love the most about running is that it’s You vs. You. You can push your body so much if you can just get past your mind telling you to stop.
Q: Cross country coaches seem to always do some fun stuff for the team – like team-bonding events like fishing or whatever. Can you talk about any traditions or things that you have done in the past that are beyond the long runs that have been a big hit?
SHERIFF: We always try to keep it fun! Cross Country is already hard enough, so we try to have fun too, especially during the Summer conditioning. This year we split up into Green and White teams and athletes were awarded points for attendance, bringing a friend, etc. Every summer we include pool nights at a local neighborhood pool, movie nights watching cross country movies, ice cream nights at Good Karma, and lots of popsicles after runs. During the season our girls team always has a pumpkin carving contest, while the boys team goes bowling at Rock Springs.
Q: Can you talk about a favorite memory of yours growing up when you ran cross country (or track) at Easley High School?
SHERIFF: During my time in High School, I had many good memories with my teammates and coaches that we still talk about today. One of my all time favorite memories was when I helped our team win the First ever Cross Country Region Championship for the boys in 2006. We went on to win region titles in 2009 and 2010 as well. I also enjoyed the team trips to the state championship
Q: You have a really standout runner this year in cross country. Can you elaborate on her and what makes her such a good runner?
SHERIFF: This year on our girls team, we have a very special runner returning for us this year as an 11th grader. Acie Vincent is coming into the season ranked No. 8 in the entire state (1A-5A). She just finished up an impressive year last year winning an individual cross country region championship and individual region titles in Track including the: 1600m, 800m, 3200m, and a team title in the 4x800m relay. She went on to win the 4A 3200m State Championship too. She has the drive that she wants to be the best and if you are going to beat her, you’re going to have to hurt to do it. She is very determined and had a great summer and is looking to build off that success and be one of the top runners in the state this year. Once she puts her mind to something and there’s no stopping her. She has such a great personality and is one of the hardest workers on the course, but also in the classroom.
On the boys side, we have Akira Ogawa returning for his 12th grade year. He had a tremendous Track season and is already in phenomenal shape. He had a great summer putting in the work. During the Track season he broke the school records in the 800m (1:58.73) and the 3200m (9:43.15). He is one of the most analytical runners we have. He’s very knowledgeable of the sport and understands what needs to be done to be an elite athlete. His mental toughness is truly remarkable. The biggest reason why he has been so successful is because of how consistent he has been. His training typically is not up and down each week. He’s making sure each week he is getting in his mileage that he needs and is taking care of his body. He is a very hard worker and makes our entire team better on a daily basis. I’m excited to see what he will do this year as he wants to run some of the fastest times ever run at Easley High School. Currently he is 4th All-Time, but he’s very capable of taking that top spot and placing very highly at the state championship
Q: Can you also talk about another runner on your team – might not have the best times, but is one who has shown great improvement and is a big part of your team?
SHERIFF: Every summer we always get new runners join the cross country family. We have a great group of kids and Claire Kish (9th) has been one that will make an impact on our girls team. She has a great personality and fits right in with our girls. She has been such a hard worker and once she gets some base mileage under her, she will start running some great times! This is her first year ever running and we are excited to see what she can do. She’s buying into our program and once a kid buys into what we are wanting to accomplish, it is a game changer.
Q: You have some big running events coming up (like the 5k Color Dash on Sept. 14) for the community. What are some memorable stories or things about it all that make it fun for local folks to go to?
SHERIFF: Each year we try to host some community 5k & Kid’s Mile events. The Run the Green Wave 5k in August & the Jingle Jam 5k in December. We started these 5k’s to help with our fundraising to benefit our Cross Country & Track teams at Easley HS. They have grown to be some of the biggest 5k’s in Pickens County. I love seeing the community come out and enjoy these fun events! The Run the Green Wave course is on the actual cross country course and most community members only get to run road races. The Jingle Jam is at night and everything is lit up. Both courses are very fast, so it is fun watching our community run fast times too! This year, I was able to help the City of Easley alongside Danielle Hess create the Easley 5k Color Dash on September 14th. It will be an untimed run, with color being thrown at you throughout the course
Q: Is there anything else you would like to add about your team or the upcoming season?
SHERIFF: We’re excited for this season! Last year our girls finished 3rd at the State Championship just missing 2nd. Our boys team also placed at the state championship. For the past 3 years, both of our teams have been competing at the State Championship and we plan to be back there this year. Our girls team is returning 2 All-State runners (Acie Vincent) (Joby White). Our boys team is returning the top 5 from last year and is looking to have a great season!
Q: You wear a couple different hats with different jobs. Can you talk about that and what your schedule often consists of?
SHERIFF: My schedule is very busy, but flexible. I get to make my schedule, which includes watching my son each day, while working from home. The one constant is coaching every day, but those hours go far beyond just the hours I’m on campus. My full time job is real estate. I’m a Realtor with REAL Broker, LLC. I’ve been doing real estate since 2018. Before that I worked as an athletic trainer taking care of sports injuries and I will still cover some local events and do some PRN work. This year along with everything else I’ve been doing, I’ve added grass cutting and currently maintain 8 properties. Every Thursday morning at Easley HS, you can find me attending our FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes). While I’m not employed with FCA, I have been a part of it since my 9th grade year at Easley.
Reach Jeff Holt at 864-855-0355.