Donovan West, Sports Editor
@DWest_Courant
A school of history. A school of victory. A school of championships. Student-athletes consistently put forth a winning product, spurred on by their endless work ethic. These results are no fluke. There is a school-wide expectation for success that drives a desire to maintain this prestigious reputation. Athletes hone their hard work throughout the offseason, whether that be staying in shape by playing other sports, finetuning their skills through various clinics or lifting weights. Sounds of complacency are never heard in the high school hallways because, as the quote goes, “champions are made in the offseason.”
Despite limited communication between coaches and their teams in the offseason, as per FCIAC rules, head coach of girls basketball Kim Palmer said that the strong leadership from senior captains helps inspire the team to push themselves. Clinics, summer league games, weight lifting and fall clinics are all organized by the seniors. “The kids have worked really hard for this upcoming season,” she said.
Head coach of girls lacrosse Kristin Woods reiterated this sentiment. According to Coach Woods, upperclassmen leadership helps to drive the organization of work throughout the offseason. “The kids play year-round, whether it’s with a club team or clinics, and they are always staying in shape, keeping them ready for the season.”
Student athletes’ work throughout the offseason is no easy task, however, as players must maintain a positive and hungry attitude throughout the hot summer days, long autumn nights, cold winter mornings and stressful spring evenings. Freshman basketball coach, who also runs the boy’s varsity strength and conditioning program, Terrance Dtimi, described this mentality. “The offseason has to be a growth mindset. You are not always going to feel your best, but you have to give your best every single day,” Coach Dtimi said. “The days that you don’t feel like working are the days where some of the most work comes from.”
According to Coach Dtimi, the offseason separates those that work hard from the rest, as the players not there to push themselves every day will not see the desired results. “There is a mental toughness that comes with working in the offseason. It builds you up not only physically but also mentally and puts you through adversity in areas you wouldn’t normally see,” Coach Dtimi said.
When athletes do fight through the times when they feel like quitting, the results can be seen on the field and in the locker room. “It builds a great bond between each and every one of us because we are all working together for a common goal, getting better each and every day,” boys basketball captain Jack Hladick said. “This mentality helps us hold each other to higher standards.”
As the boy’s basketball team begins their season led by eight seniors looking to make a name for themselves and their class, they feel confident about their chances because of their never-ending hunger for success throughout the summer and fall. “The amount of work this team has put in throughout the offseason is incredible, which is one of the reasons why we believe in each other so much and have our goals set on a state championship,” Jack said.
