Spring sport season tends to be stressful but fun for most coaches. 

According to ncsasports.org, “High School sports provide competitive experience for nearly 8 million student athletes a year.”

Most of these sports are played in the spring. Many of them start training as early as January. All of the practice and training helps lead a successful season for these athletes. 

There are a lot of good, enjoyable moments that come from coaching.

Richard Howard, the girl’s varsity softball coach, explained,” The best part about coaching is witnessing a group of individuals working together as one team and understanding the concept that working together for a common goal is the most selfless thing a person can do.” 

Playing a sport isn’t always about winning or losing. These programs help you build friendships for life, teaches you how to be a team with others and gives you life lessons you will never  forget. 

Some spring coaches gave extremely helpful advice for upcoming coaches. 

Eugene Dougherty, the men’s varsity soccer coach, suggested,” Be patient. You can’t win the championship every year and you won’t win every game. Enjoy the process of growth. Our philosophy is to improve yourself by 1% everyday. If you focus on the process of growth, the winning will come.” 

Some seasons might be different than others. One year your team might be outstanding, and the next year there is a possibility of your team not being that great. As a coach, you have to be there for your team and help your players build on their skills. 

Kristen Kilheeney, the varsity women’s assistant soccer coach, shared,” We graduated 11 seniors last season, so we have a pretty young team this spring. If you want to call this a rebuilding year, it could be but they are starting to come together and work well on the team.” 

We are so extremely lucky to have these coaches mentoring our athletes and leading them to victory. 

Makayla Ott, a junior who plays varsity women’s lacrosse, commented,” I am so thankful for my coach always leading my team and I in the right direction. There is not one practice or game where we aren’t having fun and learning new things.” 

Our spring sports have been doing well and exceeding expectations so far this season. Congratulations to all of the spring sports on making it to the first round of playoffs. A special congratulations to the Varsity Boys Baseball team for winning the Region 6 Championship. Also, the Varsity Men’s Soccer team for being the Region 6 5A Champions!

Good luck, Panthers and we hope you have a great rest of the season as we tackle playoffs!