As we approach the start of the new cross-country season, Coach Carla Favilla is excited about the team at Bloomer High School. With a mix of returning talent and new additions, the team has its sights set on a successful season. In this article, we will take a closer look at the key players, team dynamics, and goals for the upcoming season.
Coach Favilla is confident in her top returning players from last season, Ciara, Aliya, Briella Hartman, Sophie Strand, Liona Rufledt, Alena Otto, Hope Conrad, Adele Lundgren, Libby Bresina, and Morgan Frank. She believes their experience and genuine team bond will be crucial in achieving their goal of qualifying for the State meet again as a girls' team.
On the boys' side, Coach Favilla is relying on their strong work ethic and returning State team runners Seth Rogge, Leif Lundgren, and Nolan Wysocki. However, it's not just the returning players who will be making an impact this season. Coach Favilla is also excited about the entire girls' team, including new additions Jacoby Otto and Jacob Anderson, who come from families with a strong history of state runners.
These young runners have already shown great potential and may even battle for team captain roles. Speaking of team captains, Coach Favilla believes that captains Alena Otto and Nolan Wysocki are vital to the team's success. Their constant demonstration of inclusion, positivity, and leadership sets the tone for a strong team dynamic.
But it's not just the captains who foster a sense of camaraderie. Team dinners before meets and various team-building activities help maintain a "family" feel within the team. When it comes to motivation, Coach Favilla emphasizes the importance of finding joy in both successes and failures. She also credits the captains for taking ownership and maintaining a positive team culture.
However, the biggest challenge for the team this season is the loss of five seniors who were all State runners last year. The focus is now on rebuilding and revamping the boys' team while keeping the girls' team healthy. The team's schedule for this season includes tough opponents, such as the Rice Lake Invitational and the legendary Roy Griak Meet in the Twin Cities.
These meets will provide a variety of running conditions, preparing the team for the challenging state course. And as the team continues to improve, Coach Favilla's coaching style has not changed much.
Share With