On Monday, athletes on the team received notice that Art and Linda Kranick would be stepping down as head coaches of the Saratoga Springs Track & Field program, effective immediately. They will be tentatively replaced by Tom Reilly as Head Coach for the Girls, with Shane Cassidy serving as Assistant.
The Kranick's had made prior notice that 2025 would be their last year as a coaching duo, culminating with the Spring Season. The team was informed that that timeline had been moved up "due to ongoing health issues facing Art." In 2023, Art had contracted an infection in Colorado while attending a track-related convention. It had limited him to a wheelchair in the past year, of which he was recovering from.
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The Kranick's had led the most successful distance program in State History, especially for Cross Country. Starting coaching in 1985, their impact reached the State level quickly, winning their first Girls XC State Title in 1987. From there, they have won more Federation Titles than the rest of the State combined, a total of 28 wins and five more runner-up finishes. They took home third in 2024. They had only placed lower than third once, in 1987.
Their best Girls' team culminated in the inaugural 2004 Nike Cross Nationals Team Title. Many believe that team still maintains the top spot in the pantheon of best cross country teams ever. They followed that up with NXN wins in 2019 and 2022. They were ranked US #1 in both 2020 and 2021, where NXN was no longer an option due to COVID, with their team intact from 2019 through '22.
Individually, Erin Davis was a two-time Foot Locker National Champ.
Likewise, their streak continued onto the Track. 12 of the top 14 times ever run in the Indoor 4xMile were achieved by Saratoga Springs, with their 'A' Team setting the State Record in 2022. They also ran a 'B' Team in that race, which placed in the Top 10 All-Time as well, on the same day. The mark was the National Record at the time.
Saratoga was home to numerous National Records, both individually and for the relays. Kelsey Chmiel most recently held the 3000m Freshman National Record. Names like Nicole Blood, Cheri Goddard, Hannah Davidson, and Lindsey Ferguson found themselves among the track listings for All-Time marks.
The Kranick's also coached the Boys' Teams through the mid-2010's, culminating in the graduation of Aidan Tooker, who went on to run professionally. Their boys' team won Nike Cross Nationals in 2005, making them the first ever team to win both genders.
Full Statement Released by Saratoga CSD - Update
It is with a profound mixture of gratitude and sadness that I announce the retirement of our esteemed coaches, Art and Linda Kranick, who have dedicated their lives to the success and development of our distance running program since 1985. Their impact on our athletics and the larger realm of cross-country and track and field is unparalleled, and their departure marks the end of an extraordinary era in our school's history. As stated previously, this is due to a private medical situation, and we ask for your grace and empathy during this difficult time for Art and Linda.