This year is an exciting year for mustang sports, with many sports that have either already finished their seasons or are currently in the middle of their seasons now. We asked some coaches of our sports teams if they would answer some questions about their teams and they very kindly answered our questions.

Coach Parker’s responses:

1. What sport do you coach?

I coach for our football and baseball teams.

2. What is the biggest strength of your team?

The biggest strength of our football team this season is our experience. A lot of our players are returning starters with a hard-fought playoff game under their belt too.

3. What is your biggest strength as a coach?

My biggest strength as a coach is showing my players that I care for them as people and putting them in situations on the field that play to their strengths.

4. How does your team work together?

Our team works together through a leadership council where our team leaders have their own small group they communicate with and always hold accountable.

5. What was a standout moment of your season? (If you haven’t started yet, what are you anticipating?

It could be a rematch, a young team, or anything you can think about.) Our standout moment this season is no question Savion Riley’s game winning touchdown at Allatoona.

6. Do you have any words of wisdom? This doesn’t have to be about sports; it could be about life!

Words of wisdom from Coach Parker through Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”

Coach Jezequel’s responses

1. What sport do you coach?

Tennis (Varsity coach) and Cross Country (assistant coach)

2. What is the biggest strength of your team?

Comradery. The girls are very supportive of each other on and off the court.

3. What is your biggest strength as a coach?

My knowledge and experience is my biggest strength. I started coaching tennis when I was still in high school. Now with over 15 years-experience coaching while playing in college and continuing to play as an adult has allowed to express with my players what is expected and required to be a high school varsity player, college player, coach, and beyond.

4. How does your team work together?

Out of season and when we do not have official team practices, many of my players work together to improve their skills for the game.

5. What was a standout moment of your season? (If you haven’t started yet, what are you anticipating?

It could be a rematch, a young team, or anything you can think about.) Last season, we finished second in the region tournament. We lost our number one singles and number one doubles players (both graduated), so it will be very important that we have other players step up and fill those roles for our team to have the same continued success.

6. How does your team celebrate success? Do you have any rituals or pre-game habits?

Our motto is TCOB (Take Care of Business), which you will constantly hear our girls chant during matches or after big points in match play! We also adopted Mamba Mentality (#MambaMentality) from Kobe Bryant, which we use to focus on finishing drills, executing points, and performing well on the court.

7. Do you have any words of wisdom? This doesn’t have to be about sports; it could be about life!

“There may be people who have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do.” -Derek Jeter

Coach Hunt’s responses

1. What sport do you coach?

3 Position Air Rifle

2. What is the biggest strength of your team?

Being able to focus in the moment

3. What is your biggest strength as a coach?

I hope that I am able to help the marksmen appreciate the positive aspects of each performance while also finding ways to train that work to improve their process, which in turn has the potential to improve their performance.

4. How does your team work together?

Shooting is both an individual and a team sport, since everyone gets their own score, but the top four scores are combined to arrive at the team score.  Some of the marksmen have a bit of a friendly rivalry that pushes them to improve and they are very good at encouraging good habits in other team members and congratulating good performances.

5. What was a standout moment of your season? (If you haven’t started yet, what are you anticipating?

It could be a rematch, a young team, or anything you can think about.) We have a very binary team this year; we have a large number of experienced seniors (and one junior) that have been shooting since they were freshmen and we will also have a large number of marksmen that will be brand new this year, with just a few in between with 1 year of experience.  We participated in the State level competition for the first time last year, placing 13th and I look forward to trying to get there again this year.

6. How does your team celebrate success? Do you have any rituals or pre-game habits?

Pre-match we will often set aside some time for private meditation and mental focusing exercises since, in rifle, mental focus and physical steadiness through things like breath control and heart rate moderation is a huge part of being successful.  Marksmen often avoid sugar and caffeine on match days to prevent tremors or a racing heart rate that would interfere with their aim.  After great matches we sometimes celebrate by going out for a treat together.

7. Do you have any words of wisdom?

This doesn’t have to be about sports; it could be about life! Marksmanship emphasizes the importance of focus on THIS MOMENT; letting go what might have happened before (good or bad), not anticipating what will happen in the future (good or bad) and focusing on what you CAN do RIGHT NOW to influence the outcome of your actions IN THIS MOMENT. That ability to focus on small, doable actions right now can be an important skill at other times in your life as well.

Coach Feder’s responses

1. What sport do you coach?

Varsity Volleyball

2. What is the biggest strength of your team?

Chemistry and experience

3. What is your biggest strength as a coach?

Reading and implementing Offensive and defensive designs

4. How does your team work together?

We work as a family unit.

5. What was a standout moment of your season? (If you haven’t started yet, what are you anticipating? It could be a rematch, a young team, or anything you can think about.)

Beating the typical powerhouses Harrison, Allatoona, and McIntosh

6. How does your team celebrate success? Do you have any rituals or pre-game habits?

We are the loudest and most spirited team. Each girl has their own chant or cheer when they execute on the court. The whole team breaks into it. It’s fun to watch them hype each other up.

7. Do you have any words of wisdom? This doesn’t have to be about sports; it could be about life!

When you get the opportunity to do something, do it to your best ability. There is no point in doing anything halfway.