Michael Schuster

Osbourn Park – Head Cross Country Coach 2001 to 2018

Assistant Track & Field Coach 2002 to 2018

Coach Schuster began coaching at Osbourn Park in August 2001 during XC season. Coaching 18 XC seasons, and a combined 30 Track Seasons. Coach Schuster had the joy of working with hundreds of young runners. 

Coach Schuster’s main goals were:

· building community

· teaching Runners, the importance of TEAM

· transforming young Runners into lifelong runners

· making it fun for young runners to challenge themselves and achieve their absolute best.

· create lifelong bonds between teammates!

Coach Schuster’s most fond memories during his almost two decades at OP:

· Seeing the Boys celebrate after they Won the District XC Championship in 2002 (Anthony Arena’s team) & 2003 (Emily Arena’s team)

· Watching Spencer Moore go from a 10-minute mile to a sub-10-minute 2 mile in 3 years.

· Watching Josh McMillen break 20 minutes at Albemarle.

· Seeing the Excitement on the Girls faces after winning XC Regionals in 2008 and 2009

· Watching the Boys Win the Indoor 4x8 Relay at the Armory in NYC (2014)

· Witnessing the Boys upset Battlefield to the win the 2012 XC Regional Title

· Celebrating with Coach Feldman, at dinner, after Girls Track won the District Championship in 2002

· Watching bonds grow between teammates and becoming Incredible leaders (Ashley Wybersky & Ariel Karabinus)

· Sharing the joy with Jillian Everly after an amazing All-State Finish at the 2014 XC State Championship

· Watching Ariel Karabinus win the State Championship in the Indoor 1000 meter (2010)

· Watching Nick Causey win the State Championship in the Outdoor 1600 meter (2013)

· Excitement of the Brentsville Relays and the Girls winning the A race in 2009

· Amazing pictures collages (coaches’ gift) made by teams throughout the years (The Pic from Woodgrill Buffet with Rosie Krieger!)

· 20 plus trips to Woodgrill Buffet following any XC or Track meet in the Charlottesville area.

· Being able to experience the feeling of winning Districts (both boys and girls) with the kids (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017)

· Pride on the faces on young men and women making it to STATES (so many times), Pure Joy!