MariellaVirgillito

Spring sports are kicking back into gear! Crusader soccer, tennis and track and field all have promising seasons ahead. Tryouts were held throughout the week of Feb. 26.
Varsity soccer coach, Teresa DeGeorge, exudes confidence in the program’s potential. “We have a culture with a winning tradition,” she said, emphasizing the goal of winning the State title.
The tryout process, she explains, is rigorous but inclusive, focusing on agility and overall contribution to the team. While varsity holds high standards, Coach DeGeorge values the depth of talent across all levels, emphasizing the importance of building a cohesive program from reserve to JV and varsity.
A week before tryouts, the players do running trials to test their agility. The coaches are looking for the whole package.
The NSAA had tryouts start on Feb. 26 this year. Typically, the process is about three days. If needed, it is five days. Once each team is picked, approximately 20-22 players make reserve, JV and varsity.
“This year, I think we have a lot of incoming freshmen that can contribute right away. They are very talented and I cannot wait to see how they fit into the team,” DeGeorge said.
DeGeorge gives the soccer coaching staff freedom, but she also tries to mentor them in any way she can in order to strengthen and unify the program.“We all intend to keep standards high and keep supporting the kids who want to play at the highest level,” DeGeorge said.
Although they are all one program, “varsity runs a little differently because it’s the highest level. I don’t give players spring break off because it shows me their level of commitment. The commitment level is different. The level of play is different, but my hope is that the players’ goal is to build up to get on varsity,” DeGeorge said.
“Every year, I take the top four players on JV and possibly swing them onto varsity. The bottom four players of varsity could also swing onto JV. There are multiple players that excelled on JV, so I brought them to varsity and some have even started at State. I am not afraid to do that. If a player is producing and they are showing they are capable of playing at the highest level, I will certainly use them and put them in,” DeGeorge said. There are multiple examples of that, and Creighton University soccer commit, senior Anna Bragg is one of them.
“I am excited to watch the leadership. It is really cool to see how someone comes in as a freshman and then grows as a person and a player and becomes a confident senior. I feel like ‘wow, Marian has done a really good job and it makes me proud.’ That goes beyond games. It’s just the person and when people grow and you know they are going to be a good adult, it’s cool to look back.”
DeGeorge’s favorite trait in her players is their ability to respond to adversity. “This [famous quote] is helpful when kids don’t think they can be that good one day: ‘the expert in anything was once a beginner.’ It’s really neat to see the growth and be proud of that. It’s not about team success, it’s about individual success and it’s cool to watch,” DeGeorge said.
Varsity tennis coach, Trish Faust, is ready for the challenge of a new season. “We lost four of our top six players last year. They will be greatly missed and it leaves a lot of holes for us. We are going to have to possibly do some rearranging of the team but in a good way. It opens up a lot of opportunities for everyone who is trying out this year. We have a lot of talent coming in this year that I think is going to fill those spots well,” Faust said.

Faust also explained how “tryouts can be a nightmare because it is a lot of pressure on everyone.” The three or four days of matches, similar to a smaller tournament, can be a difficult process. However, Faust stays optimistic. “I see a pipeline of really good players through Marian for the next five years,” Faust said.
There is also excitement revolving around the addition of two new JV coaches. “Part of my excitement is from their excitement to be here doing it. I think they are going to do wonders,” Faust said.
“The most beneficial part of our team is that we are a really close knit team. When you make the team, they swoop you up and no one gets left behind. Nobody gets left out. Our unity holds strong. Pink is a bonding color. Everyone wants to be a part of it,” Faust said.
Crusader track and field’s head coach, Greg Golka, is “very optimistic and excited about what these girls might accomplish. I am very optimistic that these girls will continue to improve on what they did last year,” Golka said.
“Everyone wants to win a state championship, but in track, I learned a long time ago that there are a billion things that are out of our control. There’s not a measure of work or formula you need to win a State championship.”

Because of limited resources, the track and field program has to cut their numbers.
The tryout process is unlike most other schools. Over the span of two days, they do seven or eight mini events that correspond to actual track and field events.
This helps the athletes know where their strengths lie, and it helps the coaches steer the athletes to events where they can succeed.
Between the seven or eight events, if a runner makes the top 20 in any one of those events, they make the team.
“There is no set number we are looking for. I would take everyone if I could, but we usually range about 50 that will make the team,” Golka said.
Any of the girls who did not make it after the two days are invited back for a second chance to make the top 20 for any of the events.
This year, for the first time in Marian’s history, track and field has six coaches. Also, the addition of the Marian Athletic Complex (MAC) has elevated the program’s performance by creating a safer and updated facility.
Crusader spring sports, soccer, tennis and track and field, are ready for an amazing season. Stay tuned for more information about each team’s upcoming events and listen to Mascot Mondays for details. Follow:
@marianhssoccer, @mariantennis and @marian.trackandfield