Q&A with Coach Parsons: Building the Future of Spring Lake Girls Lacrosse
As the Spring sports season approaches, excitement is building around the Spring Lake girls lacrosse program. Head Varsity Coach Parsons is entering his second season leading the team, but his history with the program runs much deeper. We sat down with Coach Parsons to talk about the team’s development, the upcoming season, and what fans can expect this year.
Q: Tell readers about your background coaching at Spring Lake.
Coach Parsons: This upcoming season will be my second as the Head Varsity Girls Lacrosse coach, but I’ve actually been coaching lacrosse at Spring Lake for about 10 years. During that time, I’ve coached at every level, from fifth and sixth grade all the way up to varsity. I’m also currently the Freshman Girls Basketball coach, a role I’ve held for five years, and I’ve been coaching basketball here for 11 years total. Earlier in my time at Spring Lake, I also coached football, so athletics have been a big part of my connection to this school and community.
Coach Parsons: This upcoming season will be my second as the Head Varsity Girls Lacrosse coach, but I’ve actually been coaching lacrosse at Spring Lake for about 10 years. During that time, I’ve coached at every level, from fifth and sixth grade all the way up to varsity. I’m also currently the Freshman Girls Basketball coach, a role I’ve held for five years, and I’ve been coaching basketball here for 11 years total. Earlier in my time at Spring Lake, I also coached football, so athletics have been a big part of my connection to this school and community.
Q: What excites you most about this year’s team?
Coach Parsons: I’m most excited about how hungry and coachable this group is. We have talent at every grade level and a real desire to get better. That mindset goes a long way in building a successful team.
Coach Parsons: I’m most excited about how hungry and coachable this group is. We have talent at every grade level and a real desire to get better. That mindset goes a long way in building a successful team.
Q: How has the team prepared during the offseason?
Coach Parsons: Since last season ended, we’ve held weekly voluntary workouts and had a strong turnout. The biggest improvements I’ve seen so far are in basic stick skills and team camaraderie. The players are putting in the time together, and it’s making a difference.
Coach Parsons: Since last season ended, we’ve held weekly voluntary workouts and had a strong turnout. The biggest improvements I’ve seen so far are in basic stick skills and team camaraderie. The players are putting in the time together, and it’s making a difference.
Q: What are your team’s biggest strengths?
Coach Parsons: One major strength is our lacrosse IQ. We have a lot of players who are true students of the game. On top of that, this is probably the most skilled team I’ve been a part of during my time here.
Coach Parsons: One major strength is our lacrosse IQ. We have a lot of players who are true students of the game. On top of that, this is probably the most skilled team I’ve been a part of during my time here.
Q: Where do you see the biggest opportunities for growth?
Coach Parsons: We lost three senior captains from last season, so replacing that leadership will be important. Aubrey Llewellyn returns as captain and will help guide the team, along with three new captains: Brooke Stephenson, Emily Riemersma, and Abbey Rogalski.
Coach Parsons: We lost three senior captains from last season, so replacing that leadership will be important. Aubrey Llewellyn returns as captain and will help guide the team, along with three new captains: Brooke Stephenson, Emily Riemersma, and Abbey Rogalski.
Q: How will you replace the production from last year’s seniors?
Coach Parsons: We lost a lot of key contributors, so I’m counting on our junior and sophomore classes to step up. We also have a freshman class with 20 players coming out, and it’s a very talented group.
Coach Parsons: We lost a lot of key contributors, so I’m counting on our junior and sophomore classes to step up. We also have a freshman class with 20 players coming out, and it’s a very talented group.
Q: How do you build team chemistry?
Coach Parsons: We like to mix in fun team-building activities. Last season, we had an ice cream truck come to practice, and sometimes we changed practice plans to include fun games that help the players bond.
Coach Parsons: We like to mix in fun team-building activities. Last season, we had an ice cream truck come to practice, and sometimes we changed practice plans to include fun games that help the players bond.
Q: What challenges do you expect this season?
Coach Parsons: We play in the OK Conference Tier 1, which means our schedule is tough. Every team is talented, so we can’t overlook anyone. We’ve also put together a challenging non-conference schedule that should help prepare us for the playoffs.
Coach Parsons: We play in the OK Conference Tier 1, which means our schedule is tough. Every team is talented, so we can’t overlook anyone. We’ve also put together a challenging non-conference schedule that should help prepare us for the playoffs.
Q: What goals has the team set for the season?
Coach Parsons: Off the field, our goal is always to compete in the classroom and be the best students we can be. Last season, our team finished with a 3.91 cumulative GPA, which was the top in our division. On the field, our goals are simple: get 1% better every day, win our conference, win our region, compete for a state championship, and most importantly, have fun doing it!
Coach Parsons: Off the field, our goal is always to compete in the classroom and be the best students we can be. Last season, our team finished with a 3.91 cumulative GPA, which was the top in our division. On the field, our goals are simple: get 1% better every day, win our conference, win our region, compete for a state championship, and most importantly, have fun doing it!