Sports teams dive into season with two weeks of practice prior to the start of school
Credit: Benjy Renton
Field Hockey girls run a warmup around the field.
September 24, 2016
Boys’ Soccer:
If one had walked by the lower field near the Zetkov Gym during the two weeks before school, one would find the boys’ soccer team practicing hard despite the sweltering heat. This year, the boys’ soccer team led by captains Shayan Ahmad, Jackson Corrigan, Fernando Docters, and Sam Rinzler, is looking forward to an exhilarating season to further last year’s victories.
“We were eclipsed by one point in the semifinals last year,” said Coach John Gillard. “Our goal going forward is to finish what we started.”
But the road won’t be easy. According to Coach Gillard, Boys’ Soccer graduated their entire defense and goalie the year before, leaving a huge gap to be filled. Despite this, as they concluded two weeks of drills, scrimmages, core exercises and intense conditioning, they are excited to try and accomplish ambitious goals.
As they hope for a league title and even a NYSAIS win, the team thinks about how to further improve in areas which could make or break their goals. Sophomore Matthew Braver elaborated in saying that the team plans to “get out on the counter-attack more” throughout the season as well as to “be better on defense.”
With all the work they’ve put into improving their skills during preseason, they hope to build upon the past successes of the Varsity Boys’ Soccer team. They seem to be on track to fulfill their goals as they secured their first win last Friday against Trinity.
Cross Country:
By 8:30 in the morning during the two weeks leading up to Labor Day, one would hear the rhythmic sound of sneakers hitting rubber and asphalt emanating from the track. This was the sound made by over thirty dedicated runners completing a warm-up in preparation for the next three or five hours spent practicing in anticipation for the upcoming cross country season.
Every day during preseason, the team did a combination of stretching, strength training, and long runs to prepare for the season ahead.
The team comes back following a successful season. Despite the loss of many important seniors, this year’s runners look forward to building the team and developing a new dynamic, emulating much of the positive atmosphere from last year.
As senior and captain Camille Butterfield said, “We have a lot of fun together as a team, and our early season training is specifically designed to ease everyone into a routine, which really makes an impact on the progress of newer runners as the season goes on.”
As the team hopes to grow athletically, Camille added that its atmosphere is equally valued, “Establishing an atmosphere of mutual support and respect around each other and our running is something we are always striving for, and everyone is already so eager to contribute to that…This early in the season, the team has already begun to feel like a family.”
With a focus on injury prevention and strength, the team hopes for a successful season with a new group of committed athletes.
Field Hockey:
“Got me Left! Got me Right! I got Ball!” Those are the sounds that onlookers heard as they walked past the action-packed field hockey field. Despite the optional attendance, almost all field hockey players attended the two-week preseason that occurs right before the start of school.
Amidst several groans there are numerous benefits associated with preseason, especially with a sport like field hockey. As Coach Jenny Leffler says, “It’s a great time for students to come back and get to know each other in different ways, and for new students to get to know Hackley.” Getting to know one another also forms connections and bonds that prove vital on the field.
Field Hockey requires teamwork to achieve results and preseason plays an important role in creating “a great bonding experience for the entire field hockey team,” said senior Eleanor Henrich, who references the common lack of connection between Varsity and JV teams. Preseason also provides an opportune moment for trial and error in a less stressful environment. Further, Coach Leffler confirmed that it’s “a unique situation where you don’t have to worry about other things…and can really devote so much time to one thing.”
However, with many of their past players off to college, field hockey is in need of good leadership. “Because we lost so many great seniors I definitely need to step up and fill those shoes… so just working on gaining confidence on the field and knowing that I have this arsenal of skills…” explains Eleanor on what her goals are.
“For me, I think what I love about sports and especially for girls is that it pushes them to do things that maybe they didn’t really think they could do before and sort of pushes you outside of your comfort zone…” ends Coach Leffler with a smile.
