After 32 years of coaching and 28 straight years of being qualified for the state championships, Cross Country Coach Roy Harrison is finally awarded for all his hard work and dedication with his induction into the Hall of Fame.

“It takes a lot of years, and its such an honor because not many people get accepted. I never believed I would be where I am, but it comes when you win, and you are really successful,” says Coach Harrison.

His winning philosophy is to keep the runners strong for competition season. “Our goal is to peak at the end of the year. You have to get the kids to peak at the right time, which is States.”

A memory that stands out to Coach Harrison is winning the State Championship for the first time in 1991. Since then, Plant Cross Country has dominated with ten State Championships- the most wins for a high school in the state of Florida.

“The sport is hard, but it’s easier with the right set of girls.” He believes the girls he coaches have led to his acheivements. “It is truly an honor to work with such great, dedicated girls.  They are always willing to do what I say and to work hard, which you need with this sport.”

His time and commitment have not gone unnoticed. “Coach never lets us give up on ourselves. He always bikes next to us to keep us motivated,” Jacema Andino, junior runner said.

When the Coach is not conditioning champions, he is found logging a hundred miles a week on Bayshore Boulevard. Even after recent knee surgery,  he continues to do what he loves.

While the induction into the Hall of Fame is a great accomplishment, this is not the last of Coach Harrison. “I hope what I’ve done here for this team will carry on into the next years to many more championships.”

While his love for the sport remains the same, he isn’t sure how many more years he will be coaching.

“I can’t imagine Cross Country season without Coach Harrison. He’s been with us through it all,”Anna Montgomery, senior said.

Corespondents Jaclyn Ancona and Rachel DiBenedtto contributed to this article.