Preseason Extended for All Teams
The Fall preseason is the prime time for athletic teams to prepare for the season ahead. Traditionally a program lasting only a few days, this year’s preseason has expanded so most teams have the opportunity to return earlier to campus and even spend a weekend at Exeter before the term kicks off.
In the past, Football has been the only sport for which athletes come back at a significantly earlier– usually a full week before everyone else. This is because they need to measure every athlete’s size to be able to properly and safely equip them for the demanding season ahead. However, Director of Athletics Shane LaPointe recognized the need to change this. “We’ve implemented an expansion since every sport would love more time with their team,” she said. Most fall teams arrived on campus last Friday, and field hockey returned on Sunday. “It’s really been a combination effort between the Dean’s Office and Athletics to make this possible.”
The athletes stayed in separate dorms according to their sport, with football moving into Cilley Hall and girls’ volleyball staying in Amen Hall. Wentworth Hall hosted boys’ soccer and water polo while girls’ soccer and field hockey were in Webster. Moulton House held boys’ cross-country, and McConnell Hall was home for girls’ cross-country.
LaPointe pointed to benefits of having athletes arrive earlier than before. “This gives them the weekend to really focus on their sports and bond with each other; I heard that the soccer team had a hilarious improv session the other night,” she said. LaPointe also cited the physical benefits to the gradual acclimation to physical work. “Before they would be juggling Preseason and proctor orientation and new student orientations, whereas now we have a time dedicated to sports, and a time dedicated to welcoming new students.”
Some students have certainly felt this shift. Upper Jenny Yang, a setter for the girls’ varsity volleyball team, has really appreciated the extra opportunity to bond with her teammates. “We’ve done a scavenger hunt and games like blindfolded dodgeball to bond, which is something we have time for because of the early preseason and I really enjoyed them,” she said. “Training twice a day is a lot of work, especially this early since people are just getting back from their summers, but the sooner we can get in shape for the season, the better. I’m really looking forward to it and know we have a lot of potential.”
The Athletic Department also hosted Jason Kuhn of Stonewall Solutions, who is a former Division I baseball player and Navy SEAL. LaPointe felt that Kuhn could improve each team’s level of play. “He’s going to make an impression and motivate the kids,” she said. Kuhn spoke to all teams on campus Sunday night for about two hours about his experiences as a soldier and similarities between the mentality of SEALs and that of a successful athlete and team.
Kuhn also took soccer, cross-country and volleyball to compete in a series of team-building exercises meant to simulate some of the training that SEALs must go through to graduate.
New senior Pedro Haegler appreciated the rigorous routines that come with a longer preseason, saying “I haven’t been training for the three months but I still think it compares to the training I had back home in Brazil.” “I think the preseason here is actually more physically demanding than the program in Brazil but it’s great because you’re already a step ahead if you’re already starting with that.”
Haegler looks forward to working with the team from his first interactions with them during pre-season, especially as a new student. “This is the most welcoming team I’ve been part of. Even though I don’t know everybody and have been only to two practice sessions, they seem very welcoming and helpful. When I feel tired, they help me pull through.”