To explain how Fall Sports enrich a student-athlete's high school experience, 15 captains shared their insights. These leaders work to exemplify the collaboration, discipline, and respect required at St. Francis as well as the relentless determination needed to excel in sports and in the classroom.
Thank you to our representative Team Captains: Juju P., '20, Cheer; Dan W. '20, Sam K., '21, Boys' Cross Country; Claire K., '20, Girls' Cross Country; Amanda M., '20, Catie M., '20, Dance; Nick I., '20, Connor S., '20, Football; John L., '21, Boys' Golf; Elizabeth G., '20, Katherine L., '21, Girls' Golf; Trey G., '21, Boys' Soccer; Haley H., '20, Girls' Swimming; Jane P., '20, Girls' Tennis; Natalie I., '20, Girls' Volleyball.
1. What do you enjoy most about your fall sport?
Haley/Swimming
: I enjoy our team because we are small, so we are like a tight-knit family. We all have a ton of love and support for each other, in and out of the pool.
John/Golf:
I enjoy practices the most because we get to work on our game, and we get instructions from a great coach who helps us improve. The practices also allow some friendly competition between team members, such as putting competitions and 9-hole team competitions.
Trey/Soccer:
I love playing the game and spending time with friends.
Natalie/Volleyball:
I enjoy seeing my teammates every day and learning from each win and loss together.
Claire/Cross Country:
What I enjoy most is the atmosphere. We are one big family. We become close because of all the hard work we put in. Some of my best friends are from Cross Country.
Catie/Dance:
What I enjoy most about my fall sport are the football games. I love being a part of
half time and being with my team on and off the field.
Sam/Cross Country:
I enjoy working hard and being with my brothers on the team. In practice, during meets, and just hanging out, the team is a special group, and a lot of them are genuinely some of my closest friends. To me we are more than teammates; we are brothers.
Katherine/Golf:
I enjoy the team feeling with an individual aspect.
Elizabeth/Golf:
I love that my sport truly feels like a family. While golf is both an individual and team sport, we are able to grow as a community and as a unit. Despite our successes, there is no separation between our JV and Varsity teams and each of the classes. We all work together to reach our goals and push each other to improve.
Nick/Football:
I enjoy the chemistry between all our players and coaches. Everybody cares for each other, gets along well, and likes to have fun.
Amanda/Dance:
As a captain on Dance Team, I most enjoy the traditions the team has on game day, from getting ready together to going out on the field and performing.
2. How does your coach help you as an individual and team reach your goals?
John/Golf:
Our coach helps us reach our goals as an individual by offering us advice during practice that helps us lower our scores and become better golfers.
Trey/Soccer:
Coach always tells me what I need to do to improve, and he helps me get through the challenges I'm facing during the season.
Natalie/Volleyball:
Our coach pushes us to achieve our goals by encouraging us to work hard every day in practice and having us do drills that will help us strive to our end goal.
Claire/Cross Country: Coach Nelson is one of the best coaches ever. When I look back on the running and exercises we have accomplished over the season, I am amazed. Coach Nelson believes in us and helps us to become a better version of ourselves. I never would have achieved what I have without the help of Coach Nelson.
Catie/Dance:
My coach helps my team and me reach goals by doing whatever it takes to help us succeed and by motivating us every day.
Sam/Cross Country: Coach Nelson has helped me as an individual to overcome injury and tough times and has put me in a position, along with my teammates, to be successful. He does this by being so real with us. He will be the first person to let you know you are doing something wrong, but he will also be the first person to celebrate your success. This realness helps build a special bond with his athletes, and I believe most of us would run through a brick wall for him. There is a reason Coach is one of the most successful coaches in the state.
Katherine/Golf:
Our coach is the best person I have ever met, and that is not an overstatement. She is super talented and great at passing her golf wisdom on to her players. She has developed the team into the success it is today. She knows everything about golf, and she is supportive of us off the course. She is always concerned about how we are feeling about school. We also do meditation to help relieve the stress of the day.
Connor/Football:
Our coach helps us reach our goals by being 100 percent dedicated to us. He helps us not only as players but also as young men.
Elizabeth/Golf:
Coach Crain and Coach Lynn are two of the most amazing people I have met at St. Francis. They are both so incredibly encouraging and motivating, and they really help our team grow and thrive. The team and the program today would not be the same without their guidance and everything they do for us.
Nick/Football:
Our coaches teach all the players the necessary skills and knowledge to play a position. They teach us how to properly do our job each play so we can achieve our goals.
3. How does SFHS help you balance athletics and academics?
John/Golf:
SFHS balances our activities because they give us the Activity Period directly after school, so that allows me to meet with teachers and do activities around the school before I need to go to practice.
Sam/Cross Country:
The Activity Period between school and practice gives us time for clubs and homework before practice starts. In addition, the school provides NHS tutoring to help students keep good grades. Plus, coach always puts the emphasis on "Student-Athlete" and says student comes first.
Connor/Football:
SFHS helps me balance athletics and academics by emphasizing the importance of school. Our coach always talks about the value of our education, and has no issue with anyone pursuing that by doing things like meeting with teachers and showing up a little late to practice.
Elizabeth/Golf:
As a three-sport athlete, I've had to learn a lot about how to manage both my sport and my honors classes. At first it was difficult, but SFHS has definitely helped with my time management skills. The teachers are always encouraging and understanding of each of our schedules, and they are willing to meet after class or after school to go over any tricky topics. The Activity Period at the end of the day also allows me to get a little extra homework and studying in before any practices or games.
Haley/Swimming:
St. Francis helps me manage my time well with schoolwork, and it allows me to be involved in my favorite sport.
4. Why are you glad you choose SFHS for your high school experience?
Jane/Tennis:
I transferred to St. Francis my sophomore year,
and it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. This school has helped me grow both socially and academically. The community feeling is felt throughout the whole school, from walking through the hallways to going to the football games. It has the best atmosphere and I'm so thankful I had the opportunity to attend St. Francis.
Elizabeth/Golf:
I originally chose SFHS for the opportunities it gave me. It had a Girls' Golf Team, an amazing Band, and great academics, which is what I was looking for in a high school. However, my experience at SFHS has been so much more. I have been able to grow in all aspects of my life, including athletically, academically, and spiritually in ways I never expected. SFHS has given me the tools and background to thrive in college and in the working world.
Nick/Football:
I'm glad I chose SFHS because the people I met at football camp in the summer leading up to freshman year are still my best friends. The school also offers plenty of opportunity to participate in and actually play sports. The community at SFHS is also very positive and helpful.
Haley/Swimming:
I am so fortunate to attend St Francis because I have made some lifelong friends and memories through this Swim Team and this school that I would not have made anywhere else.
Dan/Cross Country:
The family atmosphere.
Catie/Dance:
I'm glad I choose SFHS for my high school experience because I love the family and community spirit of our school.
5. If you could describe your fall sport/program in one word, what word would you choose?
John/Golf:
"Fantastic."
Trey/Soccer:
"
Determined".
Dan/Cross Country:
"Family."
Natalie/Volleyball:
"Family."
Claire/Cross Country:
"Accomplishment." When I look at the season from the beginning to end, I'm proud of our team and all of the hard work we put in to get where we are now.
Catie/Dance:
"Family."
Connor/Football:
"Elite." The coaching staff and mentality at practice is all about being as great as we can be.
Elizabeth/Golf:
"Family!"
Amanda/Dance:
"Crazy." In the best way possible.
