The summer classes are wrapping up, plane tickets have been booked and the Fourth of July has passed. All across the nation kids are enjoying their summer vacations. Though, those involved in school sports are facing the worst weeks of their summer.
Summer conditioning has begun for almost all the fall sports at Lake Central and many of the students who participate in conditioning know that once July Fourth has passed the hottest two months of the year are about to arrive. For the boys cross country team they have been working since early June preparing for the sweltering heat that is on the way. As the 2017-2018 season draws near the boys team has increased their distance running both on and off the course.
“I’m running and training almost year round for cross country” Carter Goldman, junior, said.
The boys are extremely excited about the new season coming, for the Juniors and Seniors many believe that this year will be memorable and they hope to make it to state. For the incoming Freshmen and Sophomores this will be their year to prove to their coach that they deserve to make it state. This year Lake Central will be hosting the DAC (Duneland Athletic Conference) meet.
The boys are extremely excited and feel that they almost have a home field advantage this year for the DAC meet.
“It’s more of a psychological advantage, I think that we know the course really well and it’s going to help us win since there normally is only one meet here during the season” Gurvir Gill said.
When asked about the team's goal the boys all unanimously decided on making it to state. All of them confident that they can and will make it this year.
With the team being made up of primarily freshman and sophomores, we asked Head Coach Jeff Rhody what he has planned for the upcoming season.
“We’re going to try and avenge that one point loss at DAC, of course we will try and win sections and regionals. We are kind of a young team, a little inexperienced but we do have pieces coming back," Rhody said.
As the conditioning picks up and the boys begin to see where they fit in on experience Rhody will have to make adjustments and see where the team needs improvements most. With the heat on its way Rhody practically preaches to the team at every practice that they need water. Besides water Rhody is known for his side talks with players and tough criticism to bring out the best in the boys.
When asked if they think Rhody is the most qualified coach, Gill said, “I trust Rhody, I feel like we are in really good hands because he knows what he's doing and because I know he ran the sport in high school and he is definitely qualified and deserves the spot of head coach.”
With the boys all agreeing on making it to state many are wondering how they will get there. Rhody is already one step ahead and has planned out the season and how the boys will make it to state.
“With what we have coming back and what we can improve on with what we have right now, and we will know really early where we stand with the rest of the state and go from there.” stated Rhody.
Though it is only July many boys have planned out the season and set goals for themselves. Some goals ranging from making it to the DAC to going to state.
“Personally, I want to make it to top seven on the team maybe top five. I want to break 17 [minutes] on a 5K” Goldman said.
For Rhody, his goal is almost the same as the boys running.
“Overall top five at state we have a few polls ranking us at top ten and I think we are going to make bigger improvements.”
With the 2017-2018 season quickly approaching the boys will only have a little more than a month until the season officially begins, leaving the team with a narrow time frame to get ready. With the hope of winning the DAC at their home field and going on to State the boys will really have to work hard to get ready. Once the season starts the 2017-2018 school year won’t be far behind.
Upcoming events at Lake Central High School
- July 17-20 Summer School Finals @Lake Central High School
- July 26 Online Registration Opens for the 2017-2018 School Year
- July 31 Parking Passes Become Available for Pickup @Lake Central High School Main Office Door A
- August 2 Deadline for Online Registration for 2017-2018 School Year
- August 7 School Board Meeting @Lake Central High School 7:30pm
- August 14 First Day of the 2017-2018 School Year