Burnet cross country coach honors brother through success

CAPTION: Twin brothers and 2002 Burnet High School graduates Tyler (left) and Simon Hairston. Courtesy photo

When Simon Hairston said yes to becoming the Burnet High School cross country head coach, it was a full circle moment. 

That’s because Hairston, a 2002 graduate of Burnet High School, accepted the job of cross country head coach at his alma mater earlier this year, assuming the reins from Kristi Jones, who resigned at the end of the 2024 fall semester. 

Though Hairston wasn’t a cross country runner, preferring football and track, his twin brother, Tyler, was. 

“He was big into cross country,” Hariston said. “It was an opportunity to step in and work with a program that was so meaningful to me.”

Tyler passed away, so his brother has dedicated this season to him.

“Honoring his memory is personal,” he said.

Tyler Hairston would be pleased at how well the Bulldogs and Lady Dawgs are performing under his brother’s direction. They are one race each away from berths to the Class 4A state meet if they can finish in the top three of the team standings at the Class 4A Region III meet, which is Tuesday, Oct. 21.  

The Bulldogs finished seventh overall in the team standings at the state meet in 2024 led by graduate Victor Aviles’ 15th place finish in 16 minutes and 10.3 seconds. Both teams finished the District 24-4A meet on the podium with each varsity team taking silver in the team standings. 

The Lady Dawgs were paced by senior Asah Roy, who was second in the individual standings in 12:13.13 on the two-mile course. 

Adan Carreeon paced the Bulldogs by finishing fifth overall in 16:54.64 on the 5K course, while Clark Yanez was seventh in 17:05.83, and Isaac Vega came in eighth in 17:12.5.

He pointed out that he took over a program that has enjoyed success for a long time. 

“What coach Jones left is great,” he said. “In the early 2000s, we were extremely competitive.”  

And yet, the new coach recognized they couldn’t continue to do the same things if they wanted to accomplish more. That’s why the runners have added weight lifting sessions this year, which copies what some of the top programs are already doing. One is district champion Salado, which won just about every district title in every division days earlier.

“We’re working a little bit more of a weight aspect and training,” Hairston said. “I look at Salado runners. They were built differently. We’re getting our guys more time in the weight room.”

This is the third time Hairston has returned to his alma mater. The first time was in 2006 and again in 2012. 

He credits Burnet High School Principal Casey Burkhart for encouraging him to apply. “I really didn’t know where I was going to be at,” he said. “I feel like this is where God was leading me to be at. I didn’t know what opportunities would be like. If I’m going to do anything, running is a passion of mine.”