By Jacob Slavsky
In a full-circle moment, former Sharon High School cross country athlete and current head coach Mr. Benjamin Stoller is back where his running journey began. A Sharon High alum and experienced runner, Stoller is determined to keep the boys’ cross country team on top and defend last year’s league championship.
Stoller ran competitively in both high school and college, combining a deep passion for the sport with the desire to cultivate individual and team success. His journey as an athlete and coach led him back to his hometown, and with Stoller’s leadership, the team continues to be one of the Hockomock League’s best.
Stoller’s roots in Sharon cross country run deep. Starting his running career as a Sharon High sophomore, Stoller quickly rose to become a
team captain as a senior. After continuing his cross country career at Hamilton College, he knew he wanted to give back to the sport and the community. “I just loved running. I loved the sport,” Stoller reflected. “A big reason I became a teacher was to get involved in the community.”
Stoller’s coaching journey began during COVID, when he coached in Canton and Attleboro before returning to Sharon last year as a volunteer coach. Now, as head coach, Stoller’s goals are centered on preserving the team’s recent success. “The short-term goal is to win the Hock League Championship and finish top three at the Divisionals Meet,” he said. His long-term goal? “To keep developing our youth programs and ensure we stay on top.”
To Stoller, success in cross country is about more than just speed; it’s about mental toughness and the drive to win. “Everyone knows racing hurts,” he explained. “It’s all about who wants it more. Building mental toughness comes through workouts. You’ve got to compete every single day.”
Stoller centers his coaching philosophy on team bonding and camaraderie, balancing personal relationships with a hands-on style. “I like to run with my kids,” he said. “Hopefully, that rubs off when they see me running alongside them.” Additionally, Stoller pushes his captains and seniors to foster a tight team culture. “I care a lot about people cheering on their teammates during races,” he added. “I want my captains to lead by example.”
As the season progresses, Stoller is on the lookout for new talent to ensure the team improves every year. “Not a lot of kids grow up running, so we have our middle school program to help bring in new recruits,” he said. Stoller’s approach to training freshmen is to give them lower mileage and know when to push them and when to let them rest. The strategy has already produced promising results, as proven by the success of the team’s younger runners.
However, the road to continued success comes with its challenges. Avoiding complacency after last year’s victories will be a difficulty that Stoller acknowledges will be tough to overcome. “It’s really important to set clear guidelines about how we stay on top,” he stressed, mentioning the importance of summer training and consistent effort in practices.
Through it all, Stoller’s commitment to the sport is clear. “I love competing, I love winning, and I love that coaching keeps me in shape,” he said with a smile. For the boys’ cross country team, having a coach who not only shares their passion for the sport but also runs with them could be the key to unlocking another winning season.
To find information on the cross country team’s schedule and results for upcoming major meets, visit Sharon Cross Country.