Chandler Gilbraith, the head coach of the Morrison Mustangs track and field team, has been nominated for the prestigious 2024 ITCCCA Class A Track Coach of the Year award. Known for his dedication to fostering excellence both on and off the track, Gilbraith’s journey to this recognition is a testament to his commitment to his athletes, his team, and the sport.
A Passion for Coaching Rooted in Personal Experience
Gilbraith’s passion for track and field was ignited during his own high school days, where he thrived under the guidance of his coach, Creston Fenn. Reflecting on those formative years, Gilbraith said, “My coach instilled personal accountability in us, and that resulted in winning. My goal is to continue that tradition and get athletes to be the best version of themselves, on and off the track.”
As a coach, he has carried forward the values of integrity and accountability. He emphasizes that success stems from athletes taking responsibility for their performance. “If you want to slack off, you’re letting yourself and the team down,” Gilbraith shared, a principle he and assistant coach Nate Anderson instill in their athletes.
Achievements and Resilience
The 2024 season brought many highlights for the Mustangs. “We came from behind in the indoor 4×400 relay to win it. Then again outdoors,” Gilbraith recounted. These moments exemplify the team’s grit and trust in their preparation. One of the most amazing stats, Gilbraith says, “We never lost any race, in any relay all season. 4×100,4×200, and 4×400 had a perfect run including Gold medals at Indoor and Outdoor state. That’s something I’ve never experienced as an athlete or a Coach, it was unbelievable.”
However, the road to success was not without challenges. The team struggled at the 2023 state meet, despite having the talent to succeed. Gilbraith and Anderson responded by focusing on the fundamentals—blocks, handoffs, and running form—while implementing a new training regimen. Their efforts paid off, culminating into a standout 2024 season. At the state track meet, the Mustangs placed 4th place overall as a team. Contributing to the point total were first place finishes in all 3 sprint relays.
The 4×100 and 4 x200 teams consisted of Camden Pruis, Levi Milder, Zach Milder, and Brady Anderson. The 4×400 team showcased Zach Milder, Camden Pruis, Chase Newman, and Brady Anderson competing. Putting points on the board, Levi Milder placed 6th in the 200m run, competing as a Sophomore against 1 Jr and the 7 Sr’s in the 200m. Sophomore Brady Anderson also added points to the final team tally by sprinting to 5th place overall in the 100m dash. Also competing were Freshman Rylan Alvarado in the Long Jump and Chase Newman in the 800m run.
Spotlighting Individual Growth
One of Gilbraith’s most inspiring stories involves Levi Milder, a junior sprinter who overcame self-doubt to become a key contributor. “He didn’t think he could do it, but he trusted us,” said Gilbraith. Levi’s growth was evident as he helped secure victory in the indoor state 4×400 and later excelled grabbing some gold medals in the state finals as well.
Building a Legacy in Morrison
Gilbraith began teaching agriculture and science at Morrison High School in 2022, originally planning to head the track team immediately. However, balancing multiple roles proved challenging, and he deferred taking on the head coach position until 2024. Under his leadership, and with Anderson’s continued support, the Mustangs experienced remarkable success.
His coaching philosophy is simple yet impactful: “If you give your 100%, the outcome is almost irrelevant,” he explained. This mindset has helped his athletes embrace challenges and achieve their personal bests, creating a culture of mutual respect and unwavering effort.
