Caitlin Abbott and
Samantha Janecek    

     Warm spring air, flowers blooming, and the Hereford Zone is coming to life with color and the hope of brighter days. Sadly, spring is still months off, leaving many sad and wishful for warmer weather. The only people who may feel grateful for these few cooler months are the athletes, who are getting ready for their spring sports season.

     Lacrosse at Hereford becomes the highlight of the spring, as both the boys and girls gear up for the season. The boys’ team has won the State Championship the past five years, and plans to go for their sixth consecutive title, an accomplishment any school would pride themselves on. The girls’ team made it to the Regional Championship last year before losing to C. Milton Wright.

     February hits and the pressure is on for these athletes. One month until tryouts left to be in the best shape you can be and to sharpen your skills. To prepare, the girls’ team participates in weekly Sunday games, ranging from one to three in the same day, as well as an early Sunday morning clinic, focused on stick work and scrimmage situations. These opportunities help the players feel prepared for the season’s demands. But this alone is not enough. Some athletes participate Indoor Track to get in shape, while others run on their own time.

     Each person trying out for the girls team is expected to run the infamous mile in under 7:15, be able to do 10,100 yard sprints, run 10 dips, and be ready for the drills. Some players can wait until the week before and have no problem completing these tasks, while others need to take the two months before to be in peak condition.

     Mary Claire Abbott (12), the only Varsity goalie for the season, is preparing by “eating, so she can fill up the goal.”

     New players often face additional worries and pressures, but Brooke Kovinsky (11) seems to be taking it in stride. “I am working on the simple things, conditioning and playing Indoor lacrosse, and playing catch with my sisters,” she said. Although she did admit to being nervous, Brooke is expecting a good season and is excited to meet new people.

     The boys’ team focuses on getting ready for their tough schedule by running drills at tryouts that are continuous to stress the importance of being in shape. Unlike the girls’ team, the boys’ team doesn’t partake in run tests, instead getting right to work on skills and learning how to play together. “We start out the season with the goal of getting better every day,” said Coach Brian King.

     Every year the boys’ strive for another State Championship, another title that proves their dominance in the lacrosse world. After five State titles, the boys have no intention of letting up. Their pre-season consists of lifting three times a week, participating in agility training, and individual trainings player choose.

     Adam Cereibelli (11) works with a personal trainer to get ready for the upcoming season. His goal is to have a better season than his freshman and sophomore seasons by training harder and working on his shot.

     The boy’s team, Coach King hopes, will have a larger group of supporters. Along with the 35 players on the roster Coach King plans to include as many people as possible, and keep the community around Hereford Lacrosse. “We will try to get another 15 people who will be a part of the program, either helping as announcers, or with Twitter, video, photographer, stats; whatever we can do, the more the merrier,” he said.