High school coaches are constantly encouraging their athletes to challenge themselves. Two coaches recently demonstrated that they practice what they preach.

Wheeler girls soccer coach Monica Aleixo, whose Warriors defeated Marianapolis, 1-0, for the SENE Championship last Friday, endured record high temperatures and humidity en route to finishing last month’s LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. The 38-year-old North Smithfield resident clocked a time of 3 hours, 41 minutes, 58 seconds, placing 69th in her age group.

Also last month, North Kingstown girls cross country coach Keven O’Neil was the top Rhode Islander, second overall, at the Amica Insurance Breakers Marathon. The 37-year-old North Kingstown runner, whose Skippers placed second to La Salle at the State Cross Country Championships, covered the 26.2-mile route through Middletown and Newport in 2:30:33.