CLS shows spirit on and off the field
By Matt Misiek
There is no question that the Crystal Lake South Gators are enjoying life on the field, as evidenced by their 12-2-3 record so far this season.
One of the resonating themes this season has been being upbeat.
“Positive attitude and energy,” said senior midfielder Ricky Cristante, one of six Gator captains this season. “A big thing for us this year is filling our tanks. Filling each other up and picking each other up when they are down.”
Cristante’s statement about their on-the-field play couldn’t echo any truer about the Gator life outside of the pitch. The team is a group of young individuals that believe in picking others up when they are down, a group that is showing Chicagoland that they are truly “CLSUnited.”
This past Sunday, the entire Gators team took part in the JDRF One Walk, which is an event to raise money for children with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D).
The cause hits the Gator family very close to home. Josh Allen, son of assistant coach Tony Allen, has been living with T1D after his diagnosis in 2006. Since the diagnosis, the players, parents, fans and support staff have walked alongside the Allen family as part of “Joshie’s Posse.” This year marked the 11th-consecutive year of participation.
Sometimes it can be hard to get adults to commit to a Sunday morning event, but this group did not blink an eye. Many of these players have participated in the walk for their entire prep soccer career. Each had unique takeaways from the event.
“It’s really cool, because there are about 6,000-8,000 people out there every year,” said captain and senior defender Nick Langdon. “They are all supporting such an important cause. It’s a big feeling of unity to come together and support coach Tony’s son. To do this with my teammates, my brothers, is really special.”
Cristante echoed his teammate’s sentiments.
“It is bonding,” he said. “We are there, and we throw the football around and go for a walk, then come back and eat. It gets us ready for the next week, next step.”
Fellow senior captain and midfielder/forward Ryan Coughlin has participated in the walk every year.
“It’s always great,” he said. “You go, hang out, eat some food, talk to everyone that is there. You get to hear about everyone’s experiences and what they are going through. Talking to new people and enjoying it with your team.”
This team clearly follows the mentality that is printed on the back of their warmup shirts, “WEgo,” displaying a mentality and attitude that mirrors their head coach, Brian Allen.
Allen pointed out the generosity of the team during the PepsiCo Showdown in September.
“Our group donated over 100 sweatshirts and jacketsfor charity,” he added. “It was also our largest turnout as a program, from freshman, JV and varsity.”
“But overall, anything that we can do to show our players that there are bigger things beyond soccer is important to us.”
The contagious spirit of “CLSUnited” spilled into other memorable experiences that the captains called out when recalling the season to date.
“Preseason, which we do most years, we went to the beach,” said senior forward Brad Grabowski. “We did a little workout, played some volleyball and hung out. This is definitely the tightest-knit group that I have been a part of to date.”
Fellow senior midfielder and captain Jack Wruck also recalled fond memories of the day on the beach and restated the closeness of the group.
“The beach part was great,” he said. “We did some water aerobics, got a little stretch in and played some volleyball. We all continue to hang out outside of soccer as well.”
Much like Chewbacca in Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi, captain and senior defender Andrew Edge was thinking with his stomach.
“Before big games, we always go over to someone’s house and have a big pasta party.”
Coach Allen loves what he sees from this group as individuals that have come together as a group.
“Soccer is a tool for life,” he said. “Wins ... are great, but one of the things that we have always prided ourselves in doing in this program is our family-like culture. The understanding that the decisions on and off the field make a difference, positively or negatively. We are trying to teach them to become good, young men.”
Coach Allen’s message is clearly being heard by his players. The group is making lasting impressions that will go far beyond the 80 minutes of play on game days.
By Matt Misiek
There is no question that the Crystal Lake South Gators are enjoying life on the field, as evidenced by their 12-2-3 record so far this season.
One of the resonating themes this season has been being upbeat.
“Positive attitude and energy,” said senior midfielder Ricky Cristante, one of six Gator captains this season. “A big thing for us this year is filling our tanks. Filling each other up and picking each other up when they are down.”
Cristante’s statement about their on-the-field play couldn’t echo any truer about the Gator life outside of the pitch. The team is a group of young individuals that believe in picking others up when they are down, a group that is showing Chicagoland that they are truly “CLSUnited.”
This past Sunday, the entire Gators team took part in the JDRF One Walk, which is an event to raise money for children with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D).
The cause hits the Gator family very close to home. Josh Allen, son of assistant coach Tony Allen, has been living with T1D after his diagnosis in 2006. Since the diagnosis, the players, parents, fans and support staff have walked alongside the Allen family as part of “Joshie’s Posse.” This year marked the 11th-consecutive year of participation.
Sometimes it can be hard to get adults to commit to a Sunday morning event, but this group did not blink an eye. Many of these players have participated in the walk for their entire prep soccer career. Each had unique takeaways from the event.
“It’s really cool, because there are about 6,000-8,000 people out there every year,” said captain and senior defender Nick Langdon. “They are all supporting such an important cause. It’s a big feeling of unity to come together and support coach Tony’s son. To do this with my teammates, my brothers, is really special.”
Cristante echoed his teammate’s sentiments.
“It is bonding,” he said. “We are there, and we throw the football around and go for a walk, then come back and eat. It gets us ready for the next week, next step.”
Fellow senior captain and midfielder/forward Ryan Coughlin has participated in the walk every year.
“It’s always great,” he said. “You go, hang out, eat some food, talk to everyone that is there. You get to hear about everyone’s experiences and what they are going through. Talking to new people and enjoying it with your team.”
This team clearly follows the mentality that is printed on the back of their warmup shirts, “WEgo,” displaying a mentality and attitude that mirrors their head coach, Brian Allen.
Allen pointed out the generosity of the team during the PepsiCo Showdown in September.
“Our group donated over 100 sweatshirts and jacketsfor charity,” he added. “It was also our largest turnout as a program, from freshman, JV and varsity.”
“But overall, anything that we can do to show our players that there are bigger things beyond soccer is important to us.”
The contagious spirit of “CLSUnited” spilled into other memorable experiences that the captains called out when recalling the season to date.
“Preseason, which we do most years, we went to the beach,” said senior forward Brad Grabowski. “We did a little workout, played some volleyball and hung out. This is definitely the tightest-knit group that I have been a part of to date.”
Fellow senior midfielder and captain Jack Wruck also recalled fond memories of the day on the beach and restated the closeness of the group.
“The beach part was great,” he said. “We did some water aerobics, got a little stretch in and played some volleyball. We all continue to hang out outside of soccer as well.”
Much like Chewbacca in Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi, captain and senior defender Andrew Edge was thinking with his stomach.
“Before big games, we always go over to someone’s house and have a big pasta party.”
Coach Allen loves what he sees from this group as individuals that have come together as a group.
“Soccer is a tool for life,” he said. “Wins ... are great, but one of the things that we have always prided ourselves in doing in this program is our family-like culture. The understanding that the decisions on and off the field make a difference, positively or negatively. We are trying to teach them to become good, young men.”
Coach Allen’s message is clearly being heard by his players. The group is making lasting impressions that will go far beyond the 80 minutes of play on game days.