Getting a max so you can figure what percentages you're using in workouts is reasonable. It's also perfectly reasonable for distance runners to incorporate strength training in their regimen.
More importantly, unless you're the next Webb (or training with him), you are dealing with a coach whose main job is to get a whole team of HS kids with varying levels of talent and motivation to perform their best within a system which bears little resemblance to what the elites do (more races, shorter season, overlaps with basketball season, doubling/tripling/quadrupling the best kids for points, etc.). On my team of 100+ kids, I can think of about 4 who could/should train as letsrun enthusiasts suggest. A good coach will help those kids get what they need (and hopefully get them some company as more teammates want what they've got). But let's not bash a HS coach for not coaching like a D1 coach. It's not the same.