7Spor t s

Behind every successful team is the work that was put forth all season. Athletes put in long hours of dedication to succeed, although not all sports practice

the same way. From warm-up stretches to drills, each sport’s practice varies. To find out the skill a player has, just break down the practice.

The football team wastes no time by starting practices each summer. The team starts with workouts every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, starting at seven AM and going until ten PM. “A regular practice during the week starts out every day with agilities. We then get lined up to go through stretching as a team,” says Coach McGonigal. The team then practices on their various positions in groups. Consequently, the team may have a harder practice if they are not doing what they are supposed to be doing. The team practices easier before a game. “This practice is used to answer any questions the players may have about our game plan for that week,” coach McGonigal says.

The girls soccer team works very hard. To succeed, the girls practice during the regular season as well as the summer. As for harder practices, the beginning of the season is the more difficult part. When asked about the practices, Coach Condly stated, “A typical practice would be about three hours.”

The boys team works just as hard. Coach Tony Dixon describes a regular practice as “Running, passing, shooting drills, and always followed by a scrimmage.” The team works harder before the season starts to have everyone in great condition for the upcoming season. Dalton Becker, senior, says “The team

practices are helpful and they help develop good team skills.” The girls volleyball team serves it up with their practices. As for summer

practices, next year Coach Kuhn plans on starting early practices in the summer. “The girls do harder practices when they need to improve on something,” says Coach Kuhn, “Usually practices are the same unless we have one specific thing that needs to be worked on before that game.”

The cross country team is working intensely at practices as well. Starting off in late May, Coach Benyo meets with potential runners for the upcoming season.“Our races are on Wednesday, so on Monday we usually do speed work which can be on the track. Tuesday would be a short recovery run followed by the race on Wednesday, and another recovery run on Thursday which is also short,” Coach Benyo says. The team’s Friday practice depends on if there is an invitational on Saturday, and if not they will have long practice.

The tennis team works hard on their practices. As for summer practices, the team starts off in July along with a two week tennis camp that Coach Norb holds.When asked about the practices, Coach Norb states, “We do different footwork and hitting drills.” As for practices a day before a game, the team plays more than doing drills and Coach Norb hits with everyone one at a time for around twenty minutes. All teams practice differently. To reach the top, hard work is a requirement. From warm up drills to dedicated players, each sport has its own special commitment.

Work hard, play hardBy: Corinne Burkhart corinne.burkhart@student.jtasd.org

Seniors players have large impact on fall sports teamsBy: Andrew Elmore

Jim Thorpe High School offers many sports during the fall season. Fall sports include football, golf, volleyball, girls’ tennis, soccer, and cross-country. Each

of these sports has a certain way of getting their wins. Whether it is throwing a touchdown in football, scoring a goal in soccer, or spiking the ball on an opponent in volleyball, fall sports are very important to seniors.

Senior volleyball player, Delaney Varano says, “I think that we are going to have a pretty good season. We have a good team and we have all the skills we need to win. We just have to want it and play our hardest in order to have a really great season.”

Volleyball means a lot to the girls on the team. Teammate Anjelica Poalillo stated, “I think the volleyball team is going to do well this year. We have improved a lot from recent years. What we need to do is communicate and have positive attitudes going into the game and during it. If we do that with our skills, I know we will win together.”

Cross-country has the potential to do very well this year. Teammate Briana Gehers said, “I feel that our boys team will end up going to states as a team. Overall, I feel our team will have more wins than losses.”

Seniors always feel the most pressure. They want this year to be the best, no matter what. All and all, sports here at Jim Thorpe Area High School are beneficial to all who participate. It does not matter if it is football, golf, volleyball, tennis, soccer, or cross country, all of them have the ability to set records.

andrew.elmore@student.jtasd.org

After some runners sustained numerous injuries on the previous cross country course, Coach Benyo and the team have decided to modify

the course so it will be safer for athletes. When asked, Christian Fields, junior, stated, “The course was changed

with Coach Benyo and the team’s approval. Most of us liked the idea, so we agreed.”

The original course was at Mauch Chunk Lake near the campground. The athletes liked the change from the lake to the reservoir last year, but enjoy the new course layout this year even more.

“I prefer our new course because it is better. Not as many people get hurt, and it seems a lot easier,” said Briana Gehres, senior.

Last year, the course was at the reservoir, which injured some because of the decline. Now, the course has been reversed in an effort to make it much safer. The course was reversed because runners were tripping over rocks as they were speeding down the trails. The course required runners to race their way down through the reservoir, which contains many steep trails. Now, the runners run up the paths through the reservoir, which will hopefully reduce injuries. This is the third time the course has been changed in the past two years, but the team seems to enjoy this change the most.

By: Mike Helmer New cross country course

Jim Thorpe Cross Country team’s new and imporoved trail.

The Olympian football team working hard to improve their strategy to outplay upcoming opponents.

michael.helmer@student.jtasd.org

Between football, baseball, school, and his social life, Patrick Duvigneaud’s

schedule gets pretty hectic!Pat has been playing baseball since the

age of three. Dedicated is just one of the words to describe number eight’s baseball career as a catcher. One of Pat’s baseball teammates, Michael Rodgers, stated, “Pat is a very good baseball player. He is a good teammate, I can count on him for anything. He is a good friend off the field.”

During Pat’s early years in junior high, football came into play. As many already know, Pat is Jim Thorpe’s star quarterback and wears number one.Pat keeps on the ball at home, in sports, and at school by keeping his priorities in check. When asked about his top priorities, Pat responded with, “My number one priority is family, followed by school and sports.”

Pat’s words of advice are to “Stay focused and keep your head in the game.” With several years of education and sports under his belt, he would like to thank his mom for always being there, along with his coaches.

Football coach Mr. Miller, stated, “Pat’s play-making ability when things go wrong is one of his best strengths. He rarely pan-ics or gets stressed out about anything that is going on. This keeps Pat cool, calm, and collected at all times.”

Pat’s friend and teammate, Ryan Saun-ders, said, “He is a great leader on the foot-ball field. Pat is a great person to talk to and hangout with. He is a great teammate and best friend.”

Pat has a very promising future in his baseball career, educational path, and social life after high school. After leaving his mark on JTHS, he will be remembered for team-work, cooperation, and overall friendliness. Whether on or off the field, Pat is sure to sport his Olympian pride. Being a great Olympian will always stay in Pat’s heart wherever he goes.

Pat plans on continuing his baseball career at ESU while majoring in Sports Management.

8 Spor t s

Well-rounded, passionate, and determined senior, Anjelica Poalillo, has been an all-around great student-athlete throughout her high school career

here at Jim Thorpe High School. Anjelica started playing volleyball her junior year. Her goal was to make

varsity and through her skill and determination, she did. Her position is left side hitter.

When asked to describe Anjelica as a teammate and person, senior Jaclyn Mefford responded with, “Anjelica is a strong, competitive athlete. She works her hardest and never gives up. She is excellent at what she does, is very help-ful when needed, and will always be there for her teammates no matter what.”

In Anjelica’s free time before a game, she warms up and stretches. She stays positive and confident on how she will play throughout the game. Also, she watches the junior varsity game and cheers on her teammates.

“Jell is one of the most determined players on the team. She strives to get better every practice and her positive energy really helps the team stay focused. Overall, Anjelica is a huge asset to the team, and I am happy to be able to coach someone who is so passionate about the sport,” explained volleyball coach, Erin Kuhn.

Anjelica has been on varsity track and field since her freshman year and has received many awards in the various events in which she participates. Anjelica has been awarded with multiple achievements, including first and second place. Some of the events she has been awarded in are the four by one relay, the four by four relay, the one hundred and four hundred meter dashes, and the long jump.

Track and field coach, Mr. Miller, commented, “Jell’s performance has in-

creased dramatically since her freshman year. Over the past two seasons, Jell has become a cornerstone for the girl’s track and field program due to her versatility in the sprints and a drive to not only be the best sprinter at Jim Thorpe but one of the best sprinters in the Schuylkill League. She has been able to combine the physical aspect of track and field with the mental aspect to realize that each race is not over until she crosses the finish line.”

Anjelica sets many personal goals for herself. Each time she steps foot on the track she strives to place and beat her previous time. She says her goal for this year is to continue breaking her personal records.

“Having Anjelica as a teammate on the track team is a great help. She pushes us all at practice to become better. She always makes the best out of a bad situation,” expressed junior, Catherine Condly.

Anjelica plans to attend a community college for the first two years after she graduates because she is undecided, as of right now, in regards to her major. After the first two years, she plans to transfer to another college, and will prob-ably go into the business field.

Anjelica is well known around school and will leave Jim Thorpe with a re-membrance of how spirited and determined she was in everything she achieved.

By: Hailey Hoherchak hailey.hoherchak@student.jtasd.org

Anjelica Poalillo track, volleyball

Patrick Duvigneaud football, baseballBy: Josephine Rodgers josephine.rodgers@student.jtasd.org