This year, there are four new additions to the coaching staff at Hastings High. This includes new football, track and field, volleyball and basketball coaches.
Along with being the English Language para, Naomi Gomez has also been coaching junior varsity soccer at the high school for two years. This year, she decided to extend her abilities to two other sports.
“I felt since I already had experience with volleyball and basketball I would fill the positions [as a coach],” Gomez said.
Last year, Keshaun Hunt wore black and orange on the field as a player, and this year he wears the same colors, but as a coach. Hunt will be working with the linemen, who are also his old teammates.
“I’m playing next year at Hastings College, but this year I’m attending Central Community College, and once Coach Shoemaker heard that, he offered a job as an assistant coach,” Hunt said.
However, coaching at Hastings High is only the beginning for Hunt. He has hopes of pursuing a career in coaching.
“I want to coach in the future; I am going to school to be a P.E. teacher,” Hunt said.
Along with these new additions to Hastings High’s coaching staff is Chelby Schlichtman, an assistant volleyball coach.
“I was approached by Mrs. Douglas to coach volleyball because they needed someone, I didn’t play volleyball in high school, I played softball,” Schlitchman said.
Matthew Kissinger, the new assistant football coach and women’s throwing coach for track and field, enjoys building bonds with players.
“The thing I enjoy most [about coaching] is the opportunity to form new relationships and the opportunity to build on those relationships,” Kissinger said.
After having the most successful year in sports achievements last year, these new coaches will help to improve the athletic programs at Hastings High even more.
