The girls soccer program is implementing very specific new requirements for this year’s tryouts after a coaching change, from a timed two mile run to 100 yard sprints.
The new varsity coach, Lauren Forshay, follows former head coach Ann Germain who led the varsity squad to three victorious and consecutive conference championships beginning in 2014. In contrast to Germain, Forshay prefers to eliminate fitness training at practice because the season is short.
“The season is only a couple of months long, so I would like for the girls to be fit before the season starts so we can start right away after tryouts and work on technical skills,” Forshay said.
With the increased intensity and focus on fitness, multiple returning athletes are surprised at the requirements for the season’s tryouts. According to Junior Corinne Polk-Trauman, the upcoming tryouts are more stressful than they have been in years past because of the fitness testing that will be conducted.
“This year I’m really nervous for soccer tryouts,” Polk-Trauman said. “I looked at the preseason conditioning and my jaw dropped.”
The new expectations have taken athletes by surprise, and will provide a new challenge for athletes to face and overcome during tryouts.