There’s just something in the water about running for West Noble. Moises Trejo knows about the legacy that the cross country programs in Ligonier have carried over the years, and what that program means to the community. Now, Trejo will get to continue to carry the torch for the Charger boys cross country program as the new head coach.
Trejo was approved this past week at the West Noble school board meeting, becoming the latest in a line of coaches to lead the most decorated program in West Noble athletics. The boys program has 41 NECC, 12 sectional, four regional and semi-state crowns, and 13 state appearances in its storied history, one Trejo was a part of as a runner as a West Noble graduate. He fondly remembers his time running under coach Brian Shepherd, whom he leaned on for advice when the job became available.
“I have spoken with coach Shepherd plenty of times about coaching,” said Trejo, a 1993 West Noble graduate and was part of a team that finished fifth at the state meet. “When this opportunity presented itself, he was very supportive and encouraged me to take the roll on. He felt like I would be a good fit for the program and was pleased that I was being given this opportunity to help continue the legacy of West Noble cross country.”
Trejo takes over for Mike Flora, who stepped away from his coaching duties this past season with cross country and track. Trejo, who is also an assistant principal at West Noble High School, is no stranger to the cross country circuit. He has coaching experience at Marion High School in both cross country and track, as well as in Texas when he coached at both Weslaco and Austin Anderson high schools. His wife, Jess, is a middle school cross country coach, and his kids both are runners.
“I think West Noble has created, developed and supported the distance program for a long time,” noted Trejo. “Kids begin the process in the primary and West Noble does its best to continue to foster the love of running and eventually the drive for competition, winning races, and winning championships from the middle school to the high school. Since I've returned to Indiana eight years ago, I've come out to every cross country race at West Noble including the West Noble Invite, NECC, and sectional races and have gone to other events not at West Noble. Our community embraced the teams I ran on in high school and has continued to come and support our runners every chance they get.”
Trejo inherits a program that last won the NECC tournament in 2024, and this past season, sent then sophomore Graysen Ruch, to the IHSAA State Finals.
“We have a good returning group of boys returning and adding a few freshman that will eventually make great contributions to the team,” Trejo said. “The team returns our lead runner from last season (Ruch) and we have a good pack of runners that will be able to run solid races that will put us in good position to compete with anyone.”
Offered West Noble athletic director Tom Schermerhorn, “We are excited to have coach Trejo lead the boys cross country program. He is a proven leader and knows what it takes to build a team and a program.”