Fall Sports Preview

The 2017 fall sports season is approaching very quickly. Many Hastings High athletes have been putting in extra work, not only to better themselves, but also their teams. One of the main goals is to get as much exposure to their sport as possible..

The Hastings High Football team, coached by Charlie Shoemaker, had a busy summer. The players attended weights and conditioning three times a week and also had throwing and linemen workouts after those workouts. They also took part in two 7-on-7 tournaments as well as two 7-on-7 triangulars with Adams Central and Grand Island Central Catholic. One of Shoemaker’s goals this season is to make it to the playoffs. However, one struggle this season is the team having some young players being forced to step up and play at a high level.

“The way our kids worked and the motivation they have will give us that opportunity as long as we continue to get better every day” Shoemaker said.

The Hastings High volleyball team has many expectations for their upcoming season. Head coach Dave Hepner expects his players to form a tighter bond with each other and learn to compete at a high level every day. The volleyball team attended five team camps and a few fundamental camps while competing at a high levels. They went to weights and conditioning three days a week and had open gyms trying to get as many touches as they could.

“I expect to see a hard working, fun loving group putting the team above themselves and striving to be better than we were the day before”  Hepner said.

Hepner wants to see his team demonstrate high character on and off the court.  This includes learning to become positive leaders in and out of the gym, but every season has its ups and downs.

“There can be injuries, illnesses, poor decision making etc., but if we focus on each other and what we can do for others and also keep in mind what our personal roles are, we can overcome any and all issues that we face as long as we do it together” Hepner said.

However, the volleyball team has girls that are willing to do what it takes to improve both individually and as a team. Hepner believes it’s going to be a good season.

The softball team did not only focus on the game itself this summer, but also the team bonding.

“We try to create as much bonding as we can within our team. We talk about how we need to show gratitude and appreciation for all that others do for us and to be the most dedicated people we can be to our teammates, our school, and community” says Theoharis

The team is going to push themselves to be the most prepared as they can be so they can compete at a high level with every team they face. The group doesn’t talk about wins or losses, winning districts and state. They are more focused on the “we” aspect than the outcomes of their games..

“We push each other every day at practice and the girls do a wonderful job of encouraging and helping each other as we all work towards our team goal” Theoharis said

The boys tennis team continued to research and ask other coaches about new and different techniques or drills that they could improve on. The head coach Roger Sunderman is trying to continue to improve the team and develop them as players. They will practice and work on their problem areas with the new techniques and drills they found. After practice and matches, they discuss what worked and come back the next day to practice these skills and improve as players.  

Both the girls and boys cross country teams took it upon themselves to be prepared for the season. They ran individually and at  planned times as a team.

“Although [the athletes] have set lofty goals, they have done the out of season expectations to earn that confidence. I believe that we have the talent to create a competitive unit.  However, to reach our full potential we need to continue rigorous training combined with team building” says head coach Scott Rosno.

Rosno knows that every goal as a runner or athlete is to win.

“Winning is always a goal, but not always one that is in your complete control.  So realistically, the goal is [to] attain a better understanding of ourselves as runners and even more so as lifelong learners” Rosno said.

The cross country team will try to accomplish their goals through training more, their small successes and challengingly adverse situations.

“Unforeseen injuries and life events create challenges that can be perceived as a struggle or simply a window of opportunity down a road less traveled” said Rosno

To overcome these challenges, they will work to be more prepared to become balanced and know that they are a team of strength in numbers.

Coach Rick Christy believes how good of a player isn’t everything, character is.  His goal for the girls golf team is for them to grow as individuals and to be the best they can be as both people and golfers. Christy only has one concern, and it’s nothing about the girls that they can control physically.

“My concerns are more mental than physical.  Golf is a very humbling game.” says Christy

But Coach Christy strongly believes that they will get through it.

“We will overcome with mental toughness and knowing how to grind and manage the course.” Christy said.

Athletes to watch: