Coach Henry Poullard has been at the helm of the Shadow Ridge High School track and field team for several years now, and every season, he continues to bring out the best in his athletes. With the start of the new season quickly approaching, we sat down with Coach Poullard to get a preview of what to expect from the team this year.
When asked about the top returning players from last season, Coach Poullard shared a lengthy list of names that included Josiah Mills-Monnie, Josh Wright, Khalil Young, Nia Young, Brielle Leamaster, Sincere Johns, Owen Washington, Olivia Scroggins, Micky Cruz, Henry Poullard III, Kylie Hammer, Olivia Brainard, and Patrisha Bethancourt. These athletes have all shown exceptional dedication and improvement, with Coach Poullard noting that they "stay after and do the extra things to help them improve." He also highlighted their willingness to help younger athletes, making them special team members both on and off the track.
In terms of new players, Coach Poullard believes that Milayna Turner and Brody Lara will make an immediate impact on the team. He also shared his criteria for selecting team captains, stating that he looks for qualities such as coachability, willingness to help the team, academic performance, and practice habits. Currently, Khalil Young, Nia Young, Mikey Cruz, Sincere Johns, Olivia Scroggins, Josh Wright, and Josiah Mills-Monnie are all battling for the captain spots.
As for team chemistry and camaraderie, Coach Poullard plans on having daily discussions and team-building activities to foster a strong bond among the athletes. He also emphasized the importance of the coaching staff's chemistry, as it sets an example for the team.
When it comes to motivation, Coach Poullard believes in instilling belief in his athletes and building strong relationships with each of them. He also challenges them to push themselves to their full potential, as he knows they are capable of achieving great things.
One of the biggest challenges this season has been managing the large number of athletes on the team. However, Coach Poullard sees this as a positive sign of the program's growth and is excited to see what the team can achieve with their depth.
The team's schedule looks promising this season, with Coach Poullard noting that they have a complete schedule and will be facing top talent in the state. He also mentioned some tough opponents that they are looking forward to competing against.
When asked about any changes or improvements made to the team's training and conditioning program, Coach Poullard shared that they have more athletes enrolled in their 6th-hour track class and have added extra coaches to the staff. He also highlighted the importance of the mental aspect of the game, stating that a healthy mental state is crucial for success in track and field.
Coach Poullard's coaching philosophy is to be consistent year after year, which has proven to be successful as the team continues to grow and improve. He also emphasized the importance of weekly preparations and competing against top talent in the state.
As for the team's strengths and weaknesses, Coach Poullard noted that they have a good number of returning athletes with multiple years of experience, but also have a lot of young athletes who are new to the sport. The team plans on building on their strengths and weaknesses through their weekly preparations and competing against tough competition.
In conclusion, the Shadow Ridge High School track and field team is poised for a successful season under the leadership of Coach Henry Poullard. With a strong bond among the athletes and coaching staff, a talented group of returners, and promising new additions, the team is ready to compete at the highest level and achieve their goals of qualifying for regionals and states. Keep an eye out for these talented athletes as they take on the track this season.
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