Peyton Sullivan (7), Jess Merkel (16) and Ava Montes (31) stand ready for MICDS on Sept. 10, at Moss Field. MICDS won 2-0. (Photo by Jack Killeen)
Jack Killeen
Business Manager
For two years, the field hockey team was under the guidance of Chris Allen. Now he has left his post, and the team is led by new coaches.
Varsity is coached by Jason VanBlarcum, and JV is coached by Lacy Watson. The team practices on Plymouth Field from 3:14 to 5:30 p.m.
“The hardest part has been the adjustment to being a new coach. New coaches have a new vision and the team may struggle to go with it,” said VanBlarcum who has coached and played rugby, but has never coached field hockey.
Webster alumna, Watson, played field hockey through high school. She has gained an insight into what it’s like being a coach rather than being an athlete.
Both VanBlarcum and Watson agreed assessing the players has been one of the greatest challenges. They look at a player’s attitude, stick work, speed and communication.
Varsity sophomore Jessica Merkel said, “They’re really trying their hardest,” about Watson and VanBlarcum.
Allen left the Webster Groves team to go coach for Rockwood Summit’s men’s varsity soccer as an assistant. Allen left the team because he missed coaching guys.
Allen said, “I miss the team. They were a good group, but I do not miss the the sport. It stops every seven seconds, and no one knows the rules including the coaches and the referees.”
Field hockey will be stopping every seven seconds on Oct. 2, at its game at Ursuline Academy.
