Wins MSTCA, Boston Globe Coach of the Year
RUBEN REINOSO credits much of the success of the WMHS boys’ outdoor track and field team to the coaching staff. Pictured from left to right is Perry Pappas, Anthony LaFratta, Reinoso and Justin Berry. (Courtesy Photo)
Published in the July 6, 2018 edition.
By DAN PAWLOWSKI
WAKEFIELD — Ruben Reinoso would just as well put somebody else’s name on it.
The Wakefield boys’ track and field head coach was recently named the 2018 EMass Coach of the Year by the Massachusetts State Track Coaches Association. That was followed by a Boston Globe Division 3 Coach of the Year Award, his second Globe C.O.Y. award after getting the honor during the 2016-17 indoor track season.
These might seem like individual accolades to some. Reinoso doesn’t quite see it that way.
“I call them team awards because obviously Im getting this award because my team did well,” said Reinoso.
The coach points to Wakefield’s state championship this season, their first since 1968, as not only a big reason for winning Coach of the Year, but verification that all the hard work has paid off. In true Reinoso fashion, he says credit goes to the student-athletes first, followed in no particular order by his coaching staff, parents of the players and the community.
He would just as soon put the Class of 2018 on that trophy.
“Four years ago when we got this class as freshmen we thought, ‘oh wow these guys have the potential of doing something special by the time they’re juniors and seniors,’” remembers Reinoso.
The Warriors were just nine points from winning the state championship last season. This year, they had the depth to complete the task. Whether it was Matt Greatorex getting second in both the mile and 800, Patrick Redmond winning the shot put with a 52’8.25”, Brian Smith doubling in the 100 and 200 meters where he picked up valuable points, Joe Carmilia-Smith getting 5th in the javelin or Charlie Senior getting third in the discus, etc.
Yes, the team was deep, talented and hungry, yet they received the support and resources to improve every day. It’s Reinoso’s program, but even that aspect leads to a nod to the rest of the coaches on staff.
“He’s always been humble,” said Perry Pappas, an assistant on the boys’ outdoor team and head coach of the Wakefield boys’ cross country team and the girls’ indoor track team. “He puts the athletes and other coaches first. He’s always been like that.”
Reinoso would just as well put assistant coaches Pappas, Justin Berry, Anthony LaFratta or brother Elias Reinoso’s name on that Coach of the Year award.
Reinoso came to Wakefield from Peabody High, his alma mater, 10 years ago. The Tanners had 120 kids in the program when he left. Wakefield had 30 when he arrived. The Warriors had 86 this year.
“I remember thinking, ‘I want to go somewhere and help be a part of the building process.’ I didn’t think it was going to be like this,” said Reinoso. “I thought we would improve, we would get better. It’s something I always wanted and always talked to the kids about. The dual meets are important, we want be undefeated in the league but the focus has always been on the state level. It’s something you say in the back of your mind, but when you actually win it, it’s really special.”
Reinoso’s positive relationships with his coaching staff creates an environment that empowers each to lead in their own way.
“He trusts us to do our own thing which makes us want to work harder,” said Pappas who also started at Wakefield 10 years ago.
“Our staff is one of the best in the whole state,” said Reinoso. “I can honestly say that about every single one of my guys. We have a head coach in every single position. I’m just lucky enough that they’re ok with being called assistant coaches.”
Each coach has experience and teaching ability, to the point where other schools have probably come calling, but it’s the harmony with coach Reinoso that makes them want to stay.
“I wouldn’t want to work with anyone else,” said Pappas. “We have the same goals and the same philosophy. We want to be competing at the state level. We’ve always had that goal.”
Another reason to stay? The community that has embraced the Wakefield track program as one of the most popular sports in town.
Reinoso would just as soon put the parents on that award.
“Our parents are absolutely awesome,” said Reinoso. “They pretty much do whatever we need from them and they’re at every single meet. It’s not like this anywhere.”
Reinoso, a Wakefield football assistant coach, knows track my not be considered the most important high school sport to the community, but it must be gratifying to know that the work they have done has created more noise than any other sport in recent years.
“We look at other places and they don’t have the fanfare that we have. Track is on it’s way up. It’s not the most popular sport by any means. That’s coming from a football coach, I get it,” said Reinoso. “But in Wakefield, track is one of the most popular sports and that has a lot to do with the dedication of our kids and the parents.”
Yes, Ruben Reinoso would rather have you believe he is just a small piece of the Wakefield track program’s success. But make no mistake, the right name is on both of those Coach of the Year Awards.
