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By KEVIN CAROLAN
HERALD/REVIEW
SIERRA VISTA — Anthony “Tony” Ruffo, a long-time associate with distance running in Arizona as well as at the local schools, was recently selected the women’s head cross country coach at Buena High School.
Meanwhile, Buena High School assistant swim coach for the past couple of years, Richard Smith, was named head swim coach, replacing Sean O’Malley who stepped down recently.
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Smith will be assisted by newcomer Kristin Otterson.
Smith is a social studies teacher and Otterson, who recently arrived from Minnesota, teaches English.
Ruffo has been associated with the cross country and track programs at Buena for over two decades and replaced Steve Havens, who resigned this past summer for personal reasons.
Ruffo started his distance running in high school inspired by American distance runner Frank Shorter who won marathon gold in the 1972 Munich Games.
“Everyone was getting on the distance kick at that time,” Ruffo said. “Unfortunately, the college I attended did not have cross country so I had to put most competitive running on hold for a few years.”
Ruffo moved to Arizona in 1978 and received a coaching position at Ganado High School in 1979 where he coached the Hornets to three state championships through 1982.
“This is where I met Kim Martin,” Ruffo said. “We became friends and I gained a lot of experience and learned a lot of techniques through him at that time.”
Martin is currently the boys cross country coach at Buena.
Ruffo moved to Sierra Vista in 1985 where he provided volunteer help for former cross country and track coach Richard “Dick” Haines.
“I also helped with the middle distance runners under Bill Henson, another former cross country and track coach,” Ruffo said, “and subsequently, helped Martin and Havens with the cross country program at Buena the past few years.”
A former member of the Thunder Mountain Running Club, Ruffo has competed in everything from 1,500-meters through 5-mile mountain races.
“I’m very pleased to have been selected to coach the young women at Buena,” Ruffo said. “I know quite a few of them, as well as some of the young men, from helping them at practice and seeing them run in meets.”
Buena opens the cross country season on Wednesday, Sept. 5 against Sabino and Douglas in Douglas.
Smith is vacationing in Chicago and was not available for comment on his selection.
Both the cross country and swimming and diving teams start practice Monday.
+Jim Thompson wrote on Oct 1, 2007 6:54 PM: