Running a different direction

SPRINGVILLE — Given his experience and expertise coaching runners, it came as no big surprise that Springville coach Jeff Wales successfully breathed life into the Red Devils' moribund boys track and cross country programs in less than three years' time.

The miracle, it would seem, is found in the fact that Wales ever found his way to Springville in the first place.

After more than four decades of residing in New Mexico, Wales decided to move away from the Land of Enchantment after retiring in 2001 from being an air traffic controller. He had been the sprints coach at Albuquerque La Cueva High — the same school that recently shattered the national record for the longest baseball winning streak — helping the Bears boys to six straight New Mexico state team titles.

La Cueva, knowing Wales was retiring from his day job, actually hired him to be the head coach of its boys cross country team when the incumbent coach migrated to the University of New Mexico. Two months later, however, Wales had a change of heart and resigned.

"I could've stayed (in New Mexico)," said Wales. "But I just didn't like the atmosphere down there as far as the community anymore, too much crime and everything. We were looking for something quieter."

Inexplicably, Wales and his wife settled on the city of Springville as the destination for their new domicile.

"I don't know why (we chose Springville)," said Wales. "My family's in southern Idaho, and we would stop in Provo and visit people we knew. But we never ever came into Springville.

"I just liked the looks of things (in Utah County), and so when we came looking for a house up here, we looked in Provo and Orem and different areas. Finally, we came over here (to Springville) and really liked just the feel of the community and how quiet it was. It was just kind of what we were looking for."

Once in town, Wales yearned to get back into coaching and was willing to volunteer his services at a local high school.

At the time, Wales' son, Cory, ran track at UVSC. The elder Wales consulted with the Wolverine track coach about which schools in the area might be a good fit for his services but, contrary to the advice received, Wales opted to be a volunteer coach at his local high school.

In committing to assist in coaching the Red Devil runners, it turns out that Wales hadn't the faintest notion of what he was getting himself into.