By Jimmy Thomas
Content Editor, DigitalSports.com
Beach Bums … But Not Quite
In 1992m eight players approached Lake Braddock field hockey Coach Diane Miller about doing something a little different for the preseason. After the required approval, the team and some parents packed up and headed to the Outer Banks in North Carolina.
“I thought this would be a one year thing,” said Miller. “But here we are 16 years later and still doing it every summer.”
Much to Miller’s surprise, the upcoming senior parents were already volunteering for next year. Their first few years there were a combination of a few fathers and mothers attending, but over the past nine years it has turned into “senior moms only” going to supervise.
Although the trip is meant to be a bonding experience for the players, the training regimen is quite extraordinary. At 8 a.m. the team meets in front of the house in which everyone on the trip stays. After a some warm-ups and stretching, the team heads out on a morning run that can last anywhere from three to seven miles. A team mom will follow the group to ensure everyone’s safety.
Returning around 9 a.m., most of the girls hit the beach for a few hours before the afternoon practice. At 2:45 p.m., the girls meet in front the house again before heading out on their second run of the day to their designated practice field, which is just under a mile and a half away. After a two-hour practice the team makes the run back to the house for a dinner prepared by the parents.
Last years Bruins ran a total of 38 miles in six days.
The evening is used to relax and enjoy activities that have been planned months in advance. This years theme was “Olympic like”
activities. Video and pictures are taken throughout the week and are usually a big hit among the players when a CD is made at years’ end.
“The training is an integral part of the trip, but there is also the team bonding aspect,” Miller said. “It has been good for the girls to get to know each other and learn to play more as a team.
“All in all, the trips have been a great source of fun and have led to relatively successful seasons for Lake Braddock. As the coach I am incredibly lucky to be associated, year-after-year, with great kids and parents.”
Note: Lake
Braddock senior and All-Patriot District selection Sarah Morehouse tore
her ACL during the summer and will not be able to play this season.
Sarah will have reconstructive surgery on Aug. 26 but will no doubt
continue to be a leader from the sidelines.
Key Losses
Lyndsey Butler (WT) — 1st team all-Met; Faith Adams (LG) — 1st team all-Met; Ashley Kimener (OK) – 2nd team all-Met; Meg Thaxton (WT) — 2nd team all-Met; Katie Knapp (LG) – honorable mention all-Met.
Players to Watch
Amanda Crider (MR) — 1st team all-Met; Katie Klatt (LB) — 2nd team all-Met; Megan Rea (SC) — honorable mention all-Met; Lisa Charney (FX) — honorable mention all-Met; Danielle Filipponi (OK); Pilar Lopez-Gomez (OK); Shelby Storosh (FX); Annie Stephens (LB); Ann Marie Gambescia (LB); Linzi Burnstein (TC); Noel Van Aartrijk (LE); Autumn Rodgers (LE); Mary Beth Barham (WT); Shelly Montgomery (WT).
Teams to Watch
Lake Braddock — The Bruins went undefeated in the regular-seaon last year and return 12 seniors; Oakton — Last season’s Northern Region runner-up returns 13 varsity players, including four starters; Woodson — The defending Northern Region champions; Westfield, South County, Langley and Edison.
Games to Watch
Oakton at Lake Braddock, Aug. 25; Oakton at W.T. Woodson, Sept. 2; Langley at Oakton, Sept. 12; W.T. Woodson at Lake Braddock, Sept. 15; Edison at Westfield, Sept. 15; Langley at W.T. Woodson, Sept. 25.
Email: jthomas@digitalsports.com
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