What's that old cliche? He could sell a ketchup popsicle to a woman in white gloves? Well, Mark Truesdell could probably sell an overweight kid with severe asthma on running for him.

Among other courses, the Rock Falls Rockets' cross country coach teaches economics and psychology. With his econ degree from Western Illinois University fresh out of the printer, he ran a successful sporting goods store in Sterling from 1991 to 2001.

But perhaps his best investment has been in kids ages 14-18. He took a Rockets program on the slow rise and turned it into a juggernaut. As a result, he will receive the Illinois Track & Cross Country Coaches Association's Class 1A girls coach of the year award Saturday in Oak Park.