As the Brophy Cross Country team begins their second-half stretch to the State Championship, they are led by two alumni coaches, Jackson Moran ’21 and Johnny Murphy ’22. 

With the support of alumni coming back to support, the question is being raised about how the Brophy cross country team will fare this year with its newfound support.

Spencer Nick ’28, a member of the varsity cross country team, explains how having coaches who were former runners coach them has benefited the team and his own training.

“It’s a pretty easy sport for alumni to come back to because they can just come run with us,” Nick said. “It’s been a great experience because a lot of our alumni ran in college and have wisdom from their collegiate teams that they can come share with the current Brophy runners.”

Nick, when asked about the support alumni are giving, pointed to Moran as someone he has leaned on for advice. 

“It really helps the motivation,” he said. “Having people come back really facilitates a desire for success coming to state time.”

Head Coach Mr. Oscar Borboa ’05 said that the tenure of alumni coaches predates him, as Borboa ran on Brophy’s first state championship cross country team in 2003 before taking over the program from Michael Keon ’73, who led the Brophy team for “25 years.”

“Brophy cross country and distance running has a pretty long history of alumni service,” Borboa said. 

The history, he said, is why having a coaching staff of alumni who competed is currently helping lead the team in the right direction.

Moran’s coaching role on the team grew from the Brophy Alumni Service Corps, and for coach Murphy reaching out on his after moving back to the Valley following his graduation from Regis. 

With Brophy in contention for another state title, Borboa said that the extra experience on the team “doesn’t hurt.”