Team chemistry to benefit Glenwood Springs High big time this fall
Post Independent Sports Editor
Jon Mitchell / jmitchell@postindependent.com |
Glenwood Springs fall sports preview
VOLLEYBALL
Head coach: Sarah Ryan (Fourth season).
Last season: 15-9 overall, 9-3 Class 4A Western Slope League play (second place), was eliminated from pool play of Class 4A Region 7 Tournament.
Key returners: Taylor Kontour, Sr., OH; Delaney Gaddis, Sr., S; Laura McDermott, Sr., MH; Kallie Felkey, Sr., MH.
Others to watch: Jaime Crowley, Jr., MH; Morley Perrin, Jr., Libero.
Outlook: The team chemistry the team has built will help compensate for the five graduated seniors who helped the Demons make a postseason run. Ryan points to Gaddis as the team’s “quarterback,” saying her setting ability and upbeat attitude have helped increase that chemistry. Ryan also says defense will have to be the Demons’ strong point this year for them to be successful, but she believes Glenwood can hang with teams like Palisade, Battle Mountain and returning league champ Delta, all of which are expected to compete for the WSL title.
BOYS SOCCER
Head coach: Steve White (10th season).
Last season: 6-9-0 overall, 4-8-0 Class 4A Western Slope League play (sixth place), no postseason.
Key returners: Alex Stepniewski, Sr., S; Shane Pittanger, Jr., GK; Kenny Dardynski, Sr., D; Elias Vasquez, Jr., D; Daniel Garces, Jr., MF; Jamie Barragon, Sr., MF; Will Osier, Soph., MF/F.
Others to watch: Cameron Horning. Jr., MF; Oscar Gallegos, Jr., MF; Oscar Vallegas, Jr., MF; Ryan Knott, Soph., GK; Garrett Goodstein, Jr., D/F; Riley Prough, Fr., F.
Outlook: Glenwood will have a bunch of little guys on the field much of the season, but White describes the team as “fast and undersized, but aggressive.” He said it may be too early to tell just how well the Demons will fare against other WSL teams like Battle Mountain, which won the Class 4A state soccer title in 2012. The multi-team scrimmages the Demons played in, however, were supposed to be a good indicator.
CROSS COUNTRY
Head coach: Mike Schneiter (Eighth season).
Last season: Sent one individual (Vinnie Marr) to Class 4A state meet.
Key returners: Boys — Wyatt Till, Sr.; Zeb Thorsen, Soph.; Alphonse Fischer, Jr.; Stefan Buxman, Jr. Girls — Courtney Lippman, Sr.; Jenna Brown, Sr.; Maddi Spence, Jr.; Kathya Gonzalez, Jr.
Others to watch: Boys — Ben Neiley, Jr., Warren Knutson, Sr., Phillip Hecksel, Fr.; Kieran LaMee, Fr.; Alex Cutright, Fr. Girls — Hannah Nilsson, Jr.; Tess Ebert, Jr.; Sara Fleming, Jr.; Hannah Stinson, Soph.; Melissa Thrun, Jr.
Outlook: Glenwood’s cross country team seems to have taken in the team-first attitude truly to heart, according to Schneiter. “They talk a lot about team accomplishments, like they’re all in it together,” he said. The coach also said there’s not a “stud” runner on either the girls or boys team, but the teams as a group — boys and girls — have a chance to make some noise.
GLENWOOD SPRINGS — Camaraderie is the recurring theme for each of the fall sports teams at Glenwood Springs High School.
Each of the coaches are thrilled about the team chemistry already in place with the volleyball, boys soccer and cross country teams. And each one of them knows how much of a positive impact it can make during the season when there’s little to no drama that ensues outside of the competitive circles the teams play in.
“Everyone gets along,” said Sarah Ryan, who is entering her fourth year as Glenwood’s varsity volleyball coach after two years with the JV squad. “We like drama-free, which helps quite a bit. These girls love playing together.”
Glenwood boys soccer coach Steve White likes the way his boys soccer team gets along, also. With many of his players from last year returning, White feels that year of playing experience will make a world of difference in how his team plays together.
“I think we’ll be much more controlled and possess the ball better,” he said. “That comes from more experience and understanding the system that’s in place and what we as coaches are looking for. That makes this so much more fun.”
That mentality has even trickled into Glenwood’s cross country program, and it could be vital to the Demons as a squad. The 2012 season was the first time in seven years that neither the boys nor girls went to the state meet as a team.
“Right now, everyone is inclusive,” Glenwood cross country coach Mike Schneiter said. “That’s going to be a big key for us, especially if we want to have more than three or four runners be successful this year.”
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