NHS Track
BY PATRICIA CULLEN
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Maurice Henriques has been hired by Athletic Director Jim Butterfield as Niwot High School’s Head Track Coach. Henriques, otherwise known as “Coach Mo,” said he “loves to inspire young runners.”
He brings a great deal of coaching and athletic experience to the program, including several years coaching Fairview High School’s cross country and track teams from 2004 to 2007, where he worked with Butterfield.
Henriques left Fairview in 2007 to spend more time with his family, including coaching his daughter’s elementary school basketball team. During the day, he works as a probation officer for Boulder County, with ties to both the Longmont and Boulder communities. His wife, a nurse, who ran track for the University of Colorado, encouraged her husband to take the track position at Niwot after Henriques was approached by Butterfield about the position.
Henriques is probably best known in the area as a former CU football player. He played free safety in 1993, 1995 and 1996 for the Buffs, and also played a season in the Canadian Football League. Henriques believes his football background gives him an athletic edge when it comes to competition and fitness.
He tells his athletes, “Hard work and talent lead to success.” He also tells them “Run fast, turn left; if you turn right I cannot help you.” Henriques hopes to grow and improve the track program in place at Niwot with the idea that every practice is an opportunity for every runner and jumper to better his or her times and records. He also likes the idea of basketball, football and soccer players trying track and is looking for running, jumping, and discus talent at Niwot to join his team. The Cougars have a busy season of meets including the BoCo, Mullen, RE1J, Foot of the Rockies and Running Roost track and field meets. All assistant coaches from last season will stay in place to help coach the Cougars.
Henriques is also interested in growing Niwot students into mentors for his training program called “Jocks,” which helps kids who are on probation find focus in their lives through running. He is a member of USATF and trains track athletes ages ten through master’s level privately as well, but coaching high school students is his favorite activity.
