Championship Coaches: Bob Morse Yarmouth HS
We wanted to find out what the set the championship programs apart from the rest of the state, check out our interview with Yarmouth Head Coach Bob Morse who has guided the Lady Clippers to the schools first girls Class B state team title
What kind of training did your team get in over the summer months leading into the season?
No formal team training...on their own....some ran and most did not!
How did you train the team in the final weeks leading up to the state meet?
Tapered from WMC to regionals to states....not very much!
What chances or belief did you have in your team's chance and ability to win the state title?
Goal from last was to win states..100%
What advice or points of emphasis did you give your team prior to the race or the week leading into the state meet?
We did not talk about winning....the girls focused on what 'they' had to do in the race!
What was the race plan for the state meet and how did you feel it was executed?
Beat Greely: HA!
Who do you feel really stepped up individually the most for the team at the state meet?
It was a whole team effort....our #1 & 2 had to get 10 points. Our #3 & 4 had to beat Greely's #3 and our #5 & 6 had to run with Greely's # 4 & 5. Our # 7 had to finish the race in a high spot! They all did they job and we accomplished our goal!
What were your feelings and emotions when you realized your team had won or during the awards?
Phew! YHS girls XC had finally won a state XC Championship!
What were the biggest challenges for this year's team?
Staying healthy for the state meet. Last year we were not always healthy for the big races!
How would you best describe the group of kids that you coach?
The best group of YHS girls XC runners I have coached. The team was very very supportive of each other ....all done the line. The girls learned to work hard on the workout and recover on the off days.
What role do your assistant coaches play with the program?
HUGE! John (JR) Rogers would work on the weekly training program...we would talk about the program and adapt as needed. John's experience is worth its weight in gold!! Chuck ( Long distance training guy) Thorp helped us with the long runs and the post workout 'core' drills!
What role do your parents have with the program?
I have been very fortunate to have a group (small..need more) of parents who have helped with organizing our fall training camp, food sign-ups for the team dinners, and proving snacks & water at all of our meets!
Who were the leaders on your team and what was the importance to the squad?
We had the best captains ( Girls: Lydia Sullivan, Danielle Laverdiere, & Lucy Alexander. Boys: Devin Shields-Auble & Caelan Pike Meter) on both the boys & girls team. They kept the team focused on the workouts and the recovery runs! Plus team spirit was very high!
Every state championship team seems to have a special or unique makeup that makes them state champions. What were some of those characteristics of this year's team?
Happy Group/ Focused/ Desire to improve as individuals and as team.
What are your expectations for next year's team?
Well,........2/3 of the girls team are seniors...so, this was our year to win states.
The girls team is going to need 8 more girls to replace the seniors. Not an easy task!!
I hope that all the underclass runners will return for another season! Yes, we will need to find some strong runners!! The boys team is missing 3 seniors but will return a good nucleus for next year!