Coach Rick Perry of Gray Stone Day began coaching 5 years ago and has helped GSD rise to the top of the 1A classification.
Most of you had probably never even heard of Gray Stone Day, a school with less than 300 students, until the last few years. Some of you may still have no idea what or where Gray Stone Day is . . . well Gray Stone Day is in Misenheimer, NC, which is in Stanly County.
Five years ago, GSD was in need of a coach and Rick Perry was the man they turned to.
"Gray Stone needed a coach and since my daughter ran as a freshman, the new athletic director asked if I would serve as coach. I love distance running, and our son also ran and lettered 4 years in high school running XC & track."
Coach Perry didn't have a background as a coach prior to this position, but did have experience as a runner.
"I got involved in running in the mid/late 70’s, competing in 10k’s . In 1980 I ran my first marathon, the New York City Marathon, finishing in 3:18. Have loved the sport and my children have all been runners in high school."
Gray Stone Day has begun to make a huge impact in the NCHSAA 1A over the last few years. The boys have climbed up the ranks during his 5 years and the girls are beginning to make a push for a top 5 spot at the state meet as well. This years guys team is now ranked 2nd in the latest coaches poll, with the girls currently ranked 5th. This is the highest the girls team has ever been ranked.
When asked what his favorite moment of the season has been, Rick answered, "Probably when our boys’ team won the Cannon Invitational over some really good schools, and one of our top 5 runners was not there- due to him taking the ACT tests that day. Our girls came in fourth, against some very stiff competition, again without one of our top 5 runners."
This is a team that has begun comepeting against the best in the state. They opened the season at the Providence Invite and finished very well there. 7 years ago, this school was just starting and now they are force to be reckoned with on the 1A scene.
So, at such a small school, how is Coach Perry finding the hidden gems?
"We don’t cut kids from the team. If they want to run I make sure they have a uniform. I am always asking our kids to help encourage incoming freshman to consider joining the team. We often have kids come out who were cut from other teams, i.e. volley ball and soccer. In fact one of our top female runners came to us after not making the volley ball team."
As many coaches around the state, Coach Perry is trying to build a program, not just a team. Rick sees the big picture of what the cross country experience can do for kids.
"I want them to exceed their expectations, and to become a close knit group, encouraging each other from the first runner to the last. I want them to learn some important life lessons and be able to take pride in being part of this program, far beyond their high school days. We tell our seniors you may graduate from the school, but not from the program, where they will always be part of the GSDS team, and expected to come see the team whenever they can, on their visits home from college."
Coach Perry understands the value of academics as well. It means a lot for him to have sent his kids to Gray Stone Day and to continue helping mold the future. Rick has 3 children, Russell (25), Raegan (19), and Raelynn (16).
"It means so much to me to be part of a class school, where emphasis is and always will be on academics first. Here it really means something to be a student-athlete and virtually all of these kids go on to higher education."
The environment is a big piece of the puzzle for Gray Stone Day and Coach Perry. When asked what sentence best describes him as a coach, he said, "I really enjoy seeing kids excel far beyond what they ever thought they were capable of." As an athlete, knowing your coach is right there behind you whether it is in the classroom or on the trail is very uplifting. However, Coach Perry quickly pointed out that, "the support from Gray Stone and the terrific parents we have here all contribute highly to our team’s success."
In closing, I asked Coach Perry what is his coaching philosophy.
"I want everyone to take ownership in the team-all are part of the running family. At GS I coach both the girls and boys team, so we have three team captains that I rely on heavily to help motivate and lead. Workouts concentrate on speed, strength and mileage in our training. Also, we don’t ever, ever use running as a punishment. From day one we want our runners to develop a love for running and competing at the highest level they possibly can-whether that’s a runner breaking 30 minutes for the first time, or being an All State runner."
Coach Rick Perry is a class act who truly believes in his kids. It's obvious his athletes, the school, and the parents also believe in him. The sky seems to be the limit for Gray Stone Day and Coach Perry.
Fast Facts on Coach Rick Perry
1) Born in Indiana
2) Grew up in Macolb, Illinois
3) Job: coach & Independenct Sale Rep
4) Married and has 3 children
5) Has been coaching for 5 years
6) Has now lived in Salisbury for about 30 years
FAVORITES: Duke basketball, hunting, working on his farm, & volunteering at his church