Noah Shelton Sports Reporter
Field Hockey Coaches’ Departure Leaves Team Members Disappointed After just two seasons at the helm of the program, South field hockey coach Kim Desto and her entire staff decided to leave South for the Weston High School team. The announcement was made to the team back in June, and came only about two months before the season was to begin. Hannah Clarke became the new head coach when the Lions opened up their preseason in late August. When the team learned of the coaching staff leaving after only two years of service, many players were caught off guard. Sophomore Madison Mixer admitted that the news came without much warning. “[It] just blindsided us,” she said. Junior Sabrina Stacks felt similarly, saying that she “was absolutely heartbroken.” Sophomore Allison Arruda openly shared her discontent. “I came into field hockey thinking I would have the same coaches for all of my high school career,” she said. “So I guess they kind of let me down in a way.” Senior captain Michaela Nesson felt that the move couldn’t have come at a worse time. “It was really bad timing with finals week starting so that was frustrating,” she said. Sophomore Sara Fazli felt that the move was overly abrupt, saying that she “felt confused and maybe even a little betrayed”. After the initial feelings of betrayal, many of the players began to gain more of a perspective as to why the coaches left. Nesson understood the move from a coaching standpoint. “They just had a better coaching opportunity [in Weston],” she said. “The Weston team is better and they have better facilities there too. Our coaches wanted to be more professional and serious about coaching”. Fazli gained a respect for the move when she realized that the coaches were changing schools for the love of the game. “When I thought about it and really listened to what they were telling us, I realized that they were doing it because they love the sport and love being coaches,” she said. “They just want to take their careers to the next level. Now I understand why they did what they did.” According to Stacks, moving on from the coaching change was initially very difficult stated, “At first, I didn't know what to do with myself; I was an emotional wreck,” she said. “However, our wonderful captains reinforced our team's core value: family. We are one diverse family, no matter who comes and who goes from the outside.” Stacks continued to reinforce the notion that the team will use its inner strength and chemistry to allow it to move on and be successful. “We have been through a lot and we will always have each other's support and love,” she said. “It is up to us and only us to move on and make the best of our high school field hockey careers together.” Many of the team members put their faith in the new coaching staff to give a strong effort in replacing the old staff. Fazli backs the firstyear coach Clarke. “We have a great new coach who I know is going to do a great job,” she said. “It's going to be different this year, but I know it's going to be fun and as great as it was before.” Nesson agreed with Fazli. “We met the new coach, and she’s awesome, so we're really excited for the season,” Nesson said.
Though the Lions have apparently moved on, to some degree, from the coaching change, revenge is still on the team’s mind. Mixer made it clear that the team will be looking to make a statement when Weston appears on the schedule. “All we can do is hope that the new coach prepares us just as well for the season as the old ones did, and kick Weston's butts when we play them,” she said.