WARREN, OH-  The corridors of Warren JFK High School echo with the triumphant strides of its burgeoning cross country team, thanks to the relentless efforts and nurturing guidance of head coach Jill Phillips. Taking over a nearly dormant program four years ago, Phillips has steadily transformed it from a team of just one boy and one girl to a thriving group of dedicated athletes.

“It’s been an incredible journey. We now have a full varsity girls team and three varsity boys, with more talents rising from junior high,” Phillips shared in a recent episode of “YSN Coach’s Corner” hosted by DJ Yokley.

Phillips, a Kennedy alum herself, is no stranger to the highs and lows of athletics. After tearing her ACL in high school, she developed a passion for running during her recovery, setting her on a path that would ultimately lead her back to JFK—this time as a coach. Her story serves as both an inspiration and a testament to the power of resilience and dedication.

Despite the challenges of recruiting in a small school environment packed with competing sporting disciplines, Phillips has managed to build a team united not just by their love of running, but by a shared commitment to growth and mutual encouragement. “You don’t join cross country to be with your buddies. These kids just love to run,” she said.

Known for her constant positivity and encouragement, Coach Phillips fosters a supportive environment where even shaving a single second off one’s best time is celebrated as a victory. “Everything that they do that’s just a little bit better than the day before is success,” she emphasized.

Phillips is especially glowing when she speaks of her “OGs,” seniors, who joined the team without prior experience and have now become the pillars of the program through their unwavering dedication and leadership.

Beyond her role as a coach, Phillips is deeply woven into the fabric of the JFK community, balancing her responsibilities with the support of a loving family that shares her commitment to the school. “This is my home and it always will be,” she affirmed.

Under her guidance, the future looks bright for the Warren JFK cross country program, a beacon of what passion, positivity, and perseverance can achieve.

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