Like father, like son! Former Homestead standout now helping coach son's cross country team

MEQUON -- On Saturday, October 31st, the boys 2015 State Cross Country Championships will be held in Wisconsin Rapids. One team will be led by a father and son tandem.

Dan Claussen

Dan Claussen is the head coach of the Homestead High School cross country team. In the early 90s, he was an assistant coach, and he recalls a certain Highlanders standout.

"I definitely can because when you get a runner of Andy's ability, you never forget," Claussen said.

Andy Bosley lived up front in cross country and track before becoming an All-American in both sports at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He was a leader in every sense of the word.

Andy Bosley 1991

"I like doing just by example, and I think that works more than just telling someone to go out and try their hardest," Bosley said.

These days, Bosley is one of Claussen's three assistant coaches in a program that is back among the best in the state, and the team's top runner is Drew Bosley -- a freshman, and Andy Bosley's son.

"It's nice to be back at my Alma Mater, coaching with my high school coach and having my son on the team. It's been a lot of fun. We've dragged that poor kid to hundreds of cross country and track meets, so the fact that he is actually here and can compete for us is fantastic," Andy Bosley said.

Dan Claussen & Andy Bosley

"It's gone way better than I expected. I didn't expect to be this fast," Drew Bosley said.

Drew Bosley

These days, when Drew Bosley practices behind Homestead High School, he's literally running the same course his dad did, but with the coaching of his dad, and his dad's coach, he's running faster.

"Certainly, the genetic makeup I'm sure helps. He's a lot faster than I ever was, and my wife was also very fast, but he's also determined," Andy Bosley said.

"He's got the genetics, but he's got what his mom and his dad had. He's got heart. He wants to be good, so when you put those two things together, that's a killer combination," Claussen said.

Homestead High School

So what's it like having Dad on the coaching staff?

"It's pretty cool. I'm glad he came to help coach because it's fun to have him right there and encouragement -- and he knows what's best for all of us. He's a great coach," Drew Bosley said.

Drew Bosley

Homestead High School is far from a one-man team -- with a mixture of upper and underclassmen pushing each other. It's possible that Drew Bosley could have company trying to break some of his dad's records.

"Oh, I'm fine with that. I hope every runner at Homestead breaks my records. We'll have some good teams and a lot of fun," Drew Bosley said.

And a Bosley or two shall lead them!

Drew Bosley is just getting started on what looks to be a very promising running career, and Andy Bosley was obviously extremely successful -- but not to be overlooked is the fact that Mom Laura was a standout at Racine Case High School and UW-Parkside as well.

Homestead High School