Maine South High School's cross-country team has high expectations for the upcoming season. With a strong core of returning athletes and some promising new additions, they are gearing up to take on all challengers and make a run for the state meet. The team's top returning players are expected to lead the charge.
Owynn Garrelts, Owen Tremblay, Jake Eckhart, Gino Arcuri, and Tony Murphy make up a talented group of seniors, while Colin Frye, Lucas Runtz, and Alex Czerwoinka are promising sophomores. What makes these athletes special is their consistency and commitment, along with their demonstrated dedication to summer training.
These qualities have set them apart from the competition in the past and will continue to do so this season. Coach J Greg Nordahl believes that the team's success this season will depend on the collective effort and dedication of all team members. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining commitment and dedication, along with leveraging the strengths of both returning and new athletes.
He also highlights the team's goals of qualifying for the state meet and achieving a top-ten finish. When it comes to selecting team captains, Coach Nordahl looks for athletes who possess qualities such as commitment, leadership, dedication, and the ability to inspire and guide others. This season, sophomores Colin Frye, Lucas Runtz, and Alex Czerwoinka are all battling for the captain role, based on their strong performances in summer training.
Team chemistry and camaraderie will also be key factors in the team's success. Coach Nordahl plans on building these aspects through team workouts, group activities, and creating a supportive atmosphere. He also believes that having team leaders like Owynn Garrelts and Owen Tremblay, who have experience and a strong work ethic, will help foster a unified and motivated team.
Motivation is also essential in pushing players to reach their full potential. Coach Nordahl believes in building strong relationships with his players and emphasizing collective goals. He also creates opportunities for team bonding and recognizes and rewards effort and progress. While preparing for the upcoming season, the team has faced challenges such as balancing academic and athletic demands, integrating new team members, and maintaining consistent commitment from all athletes.
However, Coach Nordahl and his coaching staff have focused on individual and team goals, open communication about expectations and improvement areas, and creating a competitive yet supportive atmosphere.
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