“Nobody has more ability to do the daily grind of running than Max,” the second-year coach said.
Brickson has devised a “cycle” for his runners that includes a slow build up, high-demand workouts and a tapering phase to be in peak racing form. It lasts 24 to 26 weeks, starting in June and concluding at the end of the season.
But when Pettit completes one cycle, he transitions into another.
“Sometimes people get up and say, ‘Man, I don’t feel like running today.’ He gets up and runs,” Brickson said.
“He’s a workaholic. He’s very coachable. He eats right, sleeps right. He doesn’t eat sweets. He’s kind of fanatical about it.”
Does his passion inspire other runners? Well, yes and no.
Though his teammates are impressed with his work ethic, they figure his standards are too far beyond them to bother trying to keep up. But he’s got a following at Indian Valley School, where the coach’s wife, Gemi Sasson-Brickson, has 10 athletes on her cross country team and another 20 in a running club who are Pettit fans.
“The middle school kids look up to him like he’s a running god,” Brickson said.
Pettit qualified for the regionals last year and had a strong opening meet this season, blowing away the field at the 12-team Northwestern Invitational.
He finished in 17:00 in withering humidity, 31 seconds ahead of his nearest competitor.
The Greenon boys were second in the Central Buckeye Conference Mad River Division last season, while Brickson led the girls to a CBC division title.
Freshman Calvin Wise (the son of Shawnee girls coach Kim Wise) is the No. 2 runner for the boys, while senior Cameron Haught, the top-ranked junior racewalker in the nation, is No. 3. Sophomore Jacob Allen and junior Connor Algren round out the top five.
Brickson is pleased to have six dedicated girls running this year.
“Most schools have three or four good ones, but getting a fifth is always hard,” he said. “I have six that work hard.”
Sophomore Olivia Blevins is No. 1, while junior Mariah Gossett, a starter on the soccer team, is second and junior Rhiannon Morlock third. Millie Weaver, Abby Graver and Sierra Potter are varsity runners as freshmen.
The squad has high aspirations.
“We’re working really hard to try to repeat in the CBC, but Northwestern has really upped their game this year,” Brickson said.
“We’re getting great effort from the guys and girls.”
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