MIDDLE SCHOOL AND VARSITY CROSS COUNTRY
“ We have 42 runners in grades 6-12 who practice together every day ,” Middle School and Varsity Cross Country Coach Laura Akesson said . “ They also have a buddy system in which they check in with each other throughout the week to ask how the other is doing . It gives me some flexibility as a coach to have the runners practice together . It also gives the younger students a chance to attempt harder workouts if they want , as well as observe how the varsity runners physically and mentally tackle their practices .”
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MIDDLE SCHOOL AND VARSITY BOYS LACROSSE
“ This past spring , our Middle School boys lacrosse team was finishing up practice while I was preparing my varsity team to do face-offs ,” Varsity Lacrosse Coach Jim Tyler said . “ I asked the Middle School students to cheer for one face-off unit or the other . My varsity boys responded with a heightened focus on winning the face-off for their side . At the end of this session , my team and I gathered the Middle School students around us and thanked them for injecting energy into what would have been a routine practice otherwise .”
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MIDDLE SCHOOL AND VARSITY GIRLS FIELD HOCKEY
“ The field hockey teams participate in an annual ‘ Program Day ’ at the end of the season ,” Middle School Girls Field Hockey Coach Beth Farmer ̓09 said . “ We create ‘ families ’ between the two teams . Then , they participate in activities such as pumpkin carving , a scavenger hunt , an obstacle course , etc . At the end of the program , the parents bring us dinner and we all eat together . The event is a great way to end the season , and it ’ s also a chance for our younger athletes to bond with the varsity team .”
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MIDDLE SCHOOL , JV , AND VARSITY BOYS BASKETBALL
“ JV Boys Basketball Coach Don Burnette encourages Middle School students to try out for the JV team ,” JV Boys Basketball Coach Peter Kum-Nji said . “ He always points out that a lot can be learned from playing with older and more polished players . Coach Burnette also emphasizes that the leadership of Upper School players is a key factor in team development . Varsity Boys Basketball Coach Jamiel Allen ̓02 drops in on JV practices and interacts with them . He also encourages the varsity players to cheer on the JV team .”
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10 | The Colonnade |