Football: a Closer Look
“Honestly, when we do well and win, the kids trust each other,” head coach of the East Lyme football team, Rudy Bagos said. EL football has an astonishing season going with the record 4-3. The boys and coach Bagos have put in the time and effort to achieve success on the football field. Trust is a huge factor for this team to be successful. Upperclassmen help the underclassmen execute plays to reach success. Without trust, a team can’t be successful. “I always tell the kids every year, if that’s your goal, your actions need to match,” coach Bagos said. He always encourages his players to put in the work.
“We have learned not to be content with a 4-3 record. We have learned to pay attention to details , focus in practice, and really learn how to come together as a family rather than just a team,” captains Bryce Manwaring, Matt Leone, Ronin McNamara, and Aidan Patterson said.
Their record is, 4-3.
Volleyball: a Closer Look
“What motivates me during the game is my teammates,” Mia Williamson, co- captain of the volleyball team said. “I never want to feel like I am letting them down.” The volleyball team took the ECC Division 1 championship with a 3-0 win against Fitch last year, and took it again this year with a 3-1 win against Waterford. “We do our prep work in practice, and it’s ultimately up to the players’ accountability for how they show up and play,” volleyball head coach, Jack Biggs said. Practicing like you play is important come game time in order to play your best and outshine the competition. Williamson said her biggest take-away from her coach is that the work is never over and to carry what they do in practice to the game.
“They can play through adversity or errors or mistakes and not let it bother them,” coach Biggs said. “Those are the teams that usually win championships.” EL volleyball is a team that has lots of success through staying mentally tough and maintaining a positive atmosphere. The girls hope to go farther than just winning ECC’s in the following months.
Their record is, 17-2.
Boys’ Soccer: a Closer Look
“I emphasize teamwork,” East Lyme boys’ head soccer coach, Paul Christensen said. EL’s boys soccer team has had one of the best seasons this school has seen, with a record of 14-1-1 and an ECC Division 1 win against NFA. This season coach Christensen broke a record of 400 wins. During half time, coach Christensen encourages captains and players to review their plays and discuss what the team can do better in the next half. Teamwork is crucial for the team to take the victory.
“Part of it is through conversations, and part of it is some of the practices,” coach Christensen said. The team practices collaboration to make sure it shows during games. With 16 seniors leaving this year, nine who are starters, Christensen is hopeful that the team will, keep their winning streak going and have current underclassmen and juniors step up to leadership roles in future seasons.
Their record is, 14-1-1.
