It’s 3:45, directly after a long school day. Suiting up in their hokas and on-clouds, the Robinson cross country team begins another back-breaking practice. The honor of leading this team of motivated young adults has fallen upon the shoulders of Coach Mark Altimari for the past 20 years.
Altimari found himself at the R in 2004, when his son took interest in the team. He saw a need for a coach, and to help his son succeed, he stepped up to fill the position.
“At that point, they hired a coach, Raven Lewis. He allowed me to assist and after a few years, I became the head boys coach,” Altimari said.
Current cross-country athlete and captain Brynn White (’25) has been working with Altimari since her freshmen year. Attempting to improve over the summer in the hazardous heat and during the ultra-busy fall semester is no easy feat, so White was grateful to have found a support system in her coach.
“Coach Altimari has taught me how to push myself and have confidence with running and in general. I have learned so much from him in the past 3 years and what I’ve learned will help me through anything I do in life,” White said. “His coaching skills helped strengthen the team and always got us where we needed to be to succeed.”
Throughout his years, not only has he made impacts on his athletes, but they have made lasting impacts on him with many fond memories. Being able to watch his athletes grow really changed him overall as an individual, not just as a coach.
“There are many, many, fond memories. The teams that stand out most, are both 2019 teams. The boys finished as State Runner up and the girls were 4th in the State Championships. It was the best combined finish in the entire state that year,” said Altimari.
Over his years as a coach, moments with certain athletes have really stood out in Altimari’s mind.
“Additionally, we had the boys individual State Champion in Ethan Geiger. Ethan was a 3-time State medalist in Cross Country and 2-time state medalist in Track, with a 2019 state Championship in the 3200 meters.
“In 20 seasons of cross country and track, we had over 30 State Medalist and 3 state champions. Altimari said. “Those races are burned into my memory for a lifetime,”
Having worked with the Robinson community for so many years, Altimari has grown an appreciation for the school as a whole, bringing him back to the school year after year, long after his son graduated. He believes that not only the way his student athletes’ standout on the field is impressive, but their upstanding character.
“The impact of being the coach at Robinson can’t be measured in words. It’s measured in action. “Every kid I coached left something with me, that I tried to pass along to every team and kid I coached,” Altimari said. “They were all significant in our success. Our team motto is “Heart and Soul.” It wasn’t just words; it was our identity on and off the course.”
