Both the field hockey and cheerleading teams have welcomed new head coaches to lead the Varsity girls this year.
After playing as a goalie for UVA and serving for five years as the assistant coach here at WS, math teacher Tina Nham was well-prepared to start this year as the head coach for Varsity field hockey.
“It really helps [having a coach who played the sport throughout college]; she works with field players, and [is familiar with] higher-level drills,” said senior goalie Allie Ouimet.
The girls were able to participate in pre-season team-building activities, including a beach retreat to Ocean City.
“Coach Nham also [organized] a Chipotle fundraiser, and got us Nike warm-up gear,” said sophomore Katie Kachejian. “She is always encouraging, knows exactly what to do [to help her team and reminds us that] there is always next time.”
In terms of changes to the team’s routine or goals for this year, Coach Nham looked to the girls for input.
“We decided as a team that our goal this year was to get back into the regional tournament,” said Coach Nham.
With an enthusiastic approach for the remaining seven games in the season, the team seems to be well on their way to meeting this goal.
New coaches Christina Little and Coach Leann are also new additions to the WS Sports Department, leading the Varsity Cheer team. Christina Little is a 2008 WS alum who cheered throughout middle and high school, and had been working with the WS JV cheer team since 2011. This year she took over the Varsity head coaching position.
“When Mr. Muir called me this past January and offered me the Varsity Cheer Coach position he was offering me my dream job. Accepting it was the easiest thing I’ve ever done,” said Little.
Coach Little believes that in order to cheer well together, the girls must have strong relationships with their teammates and coach.
“High school cheer is so important to me because unlike all-star cheer where their season is a year long, we have to fit an entire season into 3 months so we all become incredibly close,” said Coach Little. The team appears to be benefitting from Coach Little’s close-knit team structure, and strict, yet encouraging approach to coaching.
“I like that she’s tough on us when she needs to be, but she also makes it enjoyable,” said Varsity freshman Hannah Robertson.
Though she believes that the team will be competitive at the District Conference, Coach Little is a firm believer in the idea that ‘winning isn’t everything’.
“My goals for the season are for the girls to have fun and be successful,” said Coach Little.
Both the Varsity Cheer and Field Hockey players are being led by coaches who have worked with either the JV teams or as assistants to the Varsity head coaches. With their own high school and college playing experience and clear goals set for the first season as head coaches, both Coach Christina Little and Coach Tina Nham bring a fresh outlook to the field, and are hoping for a great continuation of the season.