“That’ll be an interesting twist,” Matt said. “Paybacks are heck, right?”
It’ll mark the end of a stellar 10-year coaching career as the head coach of the Knights’ cross country program. Sableski gave up his girls head track coach position — but remained the distance coach — when he became an Alter assistant principal three years ago.
Alter’s girls state cross country success has been unmatched in the area in the past seven seasons. The Knights have not placed lower than sixth among Division II teams, were second four times and won the 2007 state team title.
That great run was mirrored by the Knights’ 3,200-meter relay each of those years. Alter’s 2006 team placed fifth in the event at state; all the other years the Knights were first or second, winning in 2009, ’07 and ’04. All those relays were coached by Sableski.
Before arriving at Alter, Sableski was an assistant cross country and track coach at Carroll for nine seasons.
“This has been a very emotional season for me, knowing that after 19 years I’m going to be giving it up,” Sableski said. “Alter has been very good to me.”
Actually, Sableski is going home. He’s a 1991 Carroll grad who ran for and coached with current cross country and master’s running standout John Agnew.
“I really grew up in the Carroll community,” Sableski said. “Now I get to go home.”
Sableski’s English teacher for two years was his father, Tom.
“There were never any issues and I don’t anticipate any here,” Matt said. “(His father Tom) is a legend at Carroll High School and it wouldn’t be the same without him.”
John Davalost was recently bumped up from assistant to the head Alter girls cross country coach. He already is the Knights’ boys and girls track and field coach.
Like many others before him, Sableski found it harder than ever to balance a growing family with the time that coaching demanded. But returning to his alma mater won’t make that any easier come next cross country season.
“Saturday mornings next fall will be very tough for me,” he said.
Extra points
• The Greater Miami Valley Baseball Coaches Association All-Star game is 7 p.m. Sunday at Springfield’s Carleton Davidson Stadium. The rain date is Monday, May 30.
The American League All-Stars will be area Division I-IV players. The National League All-Stars are Division II-III players.
• The success of the Miami Valley girls track and field team is no more a surprise. The Rams won their fifth straight D-III district title last Saturday at Welcome Stadium.
The 800 relay set a meet record (1:46.84) and Laurel Cooney won the long jump (17-2.25).
About the Author