New ZCHS Track & Field Coaches Talk Goals For Upcoming Season

Photographer: Kerch Creative

Zionsville Community High School has some new Track and Field coaches who are excited about leading their teams this year.

Brad Rosebrock, the new Boys Head Track and Field Head Coach, is working specifically with the boys’ middle distance and distance runners.

He has a lot of coaching experience.

“I was the Avon High School Girls’ Head Cross Country Coach for 14 years, and assistant coach for two years and the Avon High School Girls’ Head Track and Field Coach for 10 years and assistant for five years, before spending this past fall season as an assistant coach for the Carmel High School Boys’ Cross Country team,” Rosebrock says.

Before joining Zionsville High School, Rosebrock taught special education at Avon High School for 15 years.

“I have known former Zionsville Boys’ Head Track and Field Coach Gabe Porras personally and professionally for most of our respective coaching careers, and when he stepped down from coaching track and field, he got in touch with me to see if I was interested in interviewing to replace him,” Rosebrock says.

He can’t wait to start his new job. 

“The Zionsville Track and Field program has a great culture and tradition with experienced and passionate coaches and supportive administrators and parents,” Rosebrock says. “I am very excited to take over at a program in a school district and community such as Zionsville.”

Goals have already been set for this year.

“Our goals will continue to be for athletes to improve in their respective events, and advance into the postseason, as well as compete for Invitational, HCC Conference and postseason team championships, all while exhibiting the behavioral expectations present in the ZCHS Athletics Honor Code,” he says.

Rosebrock noted there are a lot of great athletes he will be working with.

“Trey Arnold (pole vault), Jesus Garcia (distance), Zach Roberts (hurdles), Joe Romanyk and Zach Woerner (sprints) are just a few of our returning athletes we expect to stand out this season,” Rosebrock says.

Rosebrock, as you’d imagine, is passionate about the sport.

“Track and field and coaching are among my favorite things to read about and learn more about by attending professional development opportunities, such as certification courses and clinics,” he says.

Even though he has a busy schedule, Rosebrock still finds time for family.

His wife, Carrie, is the English Secondary Department Head for Brownsburg Community School Corporation. They have a seven-year-old daughter, Grace, and a three-year-old son, William.

Rosebrock is thrilled about the upcoming season.

“We just began conditioning and have really good numbers coming out so far,” he says. “I’m looking forward to getting to know the boys on our team more as we get closer to the season.”

Meanwhile, new Head Girls Track Coach Drake Sterling is ready for his new role at a school he is already comfortable at.

“I have been with Zionsville High School as an assistant track and cross country coach since 2010,” Sterling says. “Prior to that, I worked with Noblesville High School as an assistant coach for two years. I have worked and lived in Zionsville for the past eight years with my family. I am proud to call it my second home.”

He is excited about taking over as a coach for the team.

“I am incredibly excited to be taking over,” Sterling says. “The program has a rich history of success, especially in the most recent years. This has been due to some great coaching in the past and excellent support from the athletic staff at the school. It would be a dream scenario for anyone to take over a team like this.”

Sterling says the program has flourished over the years and hopes to continue that success this season.

“Team wise, I want to continue to be a top team in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference,” he says. “I think for a school our size, it’s impressive to stay competitive with teams like Fishers and Hamilton Southeastern. Looking back five to ten years ago, that wasn’t the case, but we’ve worked hard to get the program to where it is.”

He noted he has impressive athletes to work with.

“Individual-wise, I think we have a handful of athletes or relays who will be in the mix to win a State Championship,” Sterling says. “Ella Robinson was second at the state meet in the 300m hurdles two years in a row and returns as a senior. Katelyn Wasson and Lauren Rinehart lead a distance group that just finished as State Runner-Up in cross country, both of whom have been All-State before. We also have a number of super talented freshmen who will be wildcards for us, and we have some really good up-and-coming pole vaulters who I’m expecting growth from.”

Sterling, who is busy with his son and daughter when he’s not at school, says he enjoys his work.

“I have had a passion for track since I began running competitively when I was 11 years old,” Sterling says. “I ran in high school, and in college, as well as professionally. Track and Field has taught me so many lessons over the years, and I continue to see it positively influence youth through great character building as it has for me.”