As the track and field season approaches, the Switzerland County High School team is gearing up for another successful year. With a strong group of returning athletes and the addition of new talent, the team is setting its sights on both conference and sectional titles. I had the opportunity to speak with Coach Matthew Longville about the team's goals, strengths, and challenges for the upcoming season.
Coach Longville shared that the team has a solid group of returning athletes, including Amber Detmer, Claire Rogers, and Addy Preston. These upperclassmen have proven themselves year after year and are integral to the team's success. Detmer, a distance runner, is known for her hard work, selflessness, and versatility in competing in various events. Rogers, also a distance runner, holds school records and has qualified for regionals multiple times. Preston, a junior thrower, has shown dominance in the conference and sectionals and is praised for her work ethic and leadership within the team.
While the team has a strong core of returning players, Coach Longville also mentioned that the entire freshmen class will play a crucial role this season. The team is excited about the potential impact of these newcomers and believes they will contribute greatly to the team's success.
When it comes to selecting team captains, Coach Longville emphasized the importance of leadership, integrity, empathy, commitment, and conflict resolution. The team creates a leadership committee made up of three girls and three boys who handle any disputes within the team and serve as role models for their peers, the school, and the community.
Team chemistry and camaraderie are essential for any successful team, and Coach Longville has several strategies in place to ensure a strong bond among the athletes. This includes assigning each varsity athlete a group of younger athletes to mentor and guide, as well as coming together as a team to support and cheer for each other during the 4x4 relay, often the most exciting race of the meet.
Motivation is crucial for athletes to reach their full potential, and Coach Longville has a unique approach to this. He emphasizes the importance of working as a team and creating individualized workouts for each athlete. This not only builds trust and camaraderie but also allows the athletes to voice their opinions and be heard. Additionally, the team utilizes a "big sister" system where older athletes mentor and guide younger ones, creating a deeper personal relationship and fostering a sense of responsibility and leadership.
As with any smaller school, the team faces challenges in terms of depth and uncertainty in planning for the season. However, Coach Longville believes in focusing on the numbers and individualized training to ensure the team is prepared and in the best shape possible for competition.
The team has revamped their schedule in recent years to include more invites and to face a variety of opponents. They will be facing off against tougher competition such as defending sectional champions Silver Creek, and Coach Longville is excited for the team to have a chance to measure their progress against these opponents.
Coach Longville's coaching style remains consistent, with a focus on individualized training and creating a team environment where everyone is treated equally and with the same level of intensity and support.
Mental toughness is crucial for success in any sport, and Coach Longville understands this. He tailors his coaching style to each individual athlete, recognizing that some respond well to criticism while others need more nurturing and support.
As a smaller school, the team shares many athletes, making conditioning programs more challenging. However, Coach Longville has implemented a strength and core building program, as well as individualized training to target specific areas of improvement. Additionally, the team will be utilizing heart rate monitors for their mid-distance group to track progress and improve performance.
In conclusion, the Switzerland County High School track and field team is poised for another successful year. With a strong group of returning athletes, new talent, and a coach who emphasizes individualized training and team chemistry, the team is determined to achieve its goals of winning the conference and securing a sectional title. We wish them all the best for the upcoming season!
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