Coaches’ Corner
Reporting: Sophia Ponte, Staff Reporter
Photos: Staff photographers & Joseph Santoliquito
Design: Luke Rafferty & Suproteem Sarkar, Managing Editor & Staff Reporter
Brian Samson, Boys Lax
Twelve years as head coach
Approach:
Keep practices and keep competitions fun and exciting, and also model good behavior as much as possible. We tell our players their goal is to try to work as hard as you can to improve, and that’s also our goal as our team.
John Vogan, Baseball
Nine years coaching varsity at Conestoga
Inspiration:
I love the game, I just love being around the game, and once your playing career is over, you have two choices. You can sit in the stands and watch or try to find a way to be a part of it. I tried sitting on the outside once, and I wasn’t happy, and I was very lucky to get a job down at T/E Middle School, and everything just blossomed from there.
Amy Orcutt, Girls Lax
Three years coaching at Conestoga
How my coach influenced me:
She brought this whole new outlook on the game, like ways to think about your play instead of just playing, and really teaching us instead of just being a cheerleader as a coach. So that’s what I’ve been trying to do with my girls, using everything that I learned in college.
Ryan Comstock,
Track and Field
Nine years coaching at Conestoga
What makes his coaching style unique:
I really try to look at the big picture or long term in our kids. Many coaches look at “What can you do for me right now?” but I try my best to develop athletes over time. The ultimate goal is for a senior to run his or her personal best in their very last race.
Meghan Brogan, Softball
Twelve years coaching at Conestoga
Favorite part about coaching:
Seeing the difference in the kids from the beginning of the season and how they are at the end. They grow as people so much, and it is nice to see.
Jonathan Goodman,
Boys Tennis
Five years coaching at Conestoga
Favorite part of coaching:
I call them “aha moments,” where something clicks that we’ve been working on or talking about—to see a kid’s face kind of light up and say, “I got it, I did it, and I didn’t think I could,” especially players that don’t have quite the confidence that they should. It’s really rewarding.
