Brief time together still
resonates at Grayslake Central
By Matt Misiek
In life, it doesn’t take long to create lasting memories. It also doesn’t take long to appreciate what you have when it is temporarily unavailable.
While a few weeks of training does not seem like very long to develop a bond between teammates, Grayslake Central used the time wisely. Moments that they kindly shared when reflecting on a season that was cut short by the virus that causes COVID-19.
“We had bonded really well the first few practices so not seeing them is tough.” said Rams junior midfielder Georgia Bond. “I miss bus rides to away games, pasta parties before games, and the excitement before big home games. You never know how much you can miss something until it’s taken away.“
“During our first couple practices we really starting connecting on the field,” said senior midfielder Callie Wilson. “The Zoom calls that we had were very important, because we miss each other.”
“I was looking forward to the season all year so it's hard that we aren't getting to play right now,” said sophomore goalie Piper Gallaher. “I'm missing soccer big time, because of how much I love my teammates and how fun they make the season, but also because of how much I love soccer. I just want to play.”
That sentiment echoed through the players responses. The simple joy of putting on soccer gear and playing is very important to everyone at Grayslake Central.
However, it doesn’t mean that the Rams players have not been doing great individual work while separated.
“I usually have something for soccer throughout every season but not having anything during this has been pretty hard, I miss it a lot,” said defender Natalie Thorson. “To make up for having no training, I got to take my younger brother out to do drills and 1-v.1, which was nice because he usually never works out with me.”
“Personally, I have been working on my touch and juggling with my brother in our yard and also just trying to stay active in general,” sophomore midfielder Kaitlyn Morrissey noted. “It's been hard to do any kind of team bonding, but I've seen some of them around my neighborhood.”
Who ever thought that a juggling exercise in soccer could be so appropriate with dealing with the scenario that all of us face today? Many of the Rams players have been taking part in this skill in their time away from the field, including junior midfielder Lillian Bak.
“I’ve been running a lot outside, juggling, kicking the ball at the wall. Our team has tried to get together to condition, but it didn’t work out since we have to stay apart.”
Besides Morrissey and Bak, senior midfielder Isabella Dinkel and sophomore Janie Schultz have been doing the same acrobatic moves with the ball.
“These past few weeks, I have been running outside with the nice weather,” Dinkel said, “practicing juggling and foot skills in my backyard.”
“It has definitely been hard these past few weeks adjusting to the fact that I don't have soccer practice every day after school or games on weeknights,” Schultz added. “I am trying to keep a positive mindset.
“I have been running several miles every morning to stay in shape as well as doing various ab, cardio, and lower body workouts. I also have been enjoying time outside getting touches on the ball, juggling or just shooting around.”
Dinkel also reflected on a huge positive that has come of this situation.
"It has been very difficult lately, mainly because it is my senior year and my first year having a spot on varsity,” she said. “However, a special moment I have being away from the soccer field is spending quality time with my brother. He’s back from college in Boston so just happy I get to see him.”
For first-year coach Keith Andersson, it has been a major adjustment but has proved valuable off the field as well.
“I have been fortunate enough to spend time with my family and that has been a lot of fun,” he said. “I have a new profession; I am an e-learning teacher. I have been training with my son and daughter on the days it has been nice. And I can honestly say I don't think my house has ever been more organized.”
Andersson’s daughter bleeds the green of the Rams, and her dad shared a great memory of what the team means to her.
“Seeing the excitement in my 9-year-old daughter's voice when I talk about the girls,” Andersson noted. “My daughter is making me do SAQ (Speed, Agility and Quickness) in the alley with her, because it reminds her of the team.
"These girls have a tremendous amount of influence on our youth, and I couldn't have asked for such an amazing group of young women to coach.”
resonates at Grayslake Central
By Matt Misiek
In life, it doesn’t take long to create lasting memories. It also doesn’t take long to appreciate what you have when it is temporarily unavailable.
While a few weeks of training does not seem like very long to develop a bond between teammates, Grayslake Central used the time wisely. Moments that they kindly shared when reflecting on a season that was cut short by the virus that causes COVID-19.
“We had bonded really well the first few practices so not seeing them is tough.” said Rams junior midfielder Georgia Bond. “I miss bus rides to away games, pasta parties before games, and the excitement before big home games. You never know how much you can miss something until it’s taken away.“
“During our first couple practices we really starting connecting on the field,” said senior midfielder Callie Wilson. “The Zoom calls that we had were very important, because we miss each other.”
“I was looking forward to the season all year so it's hard that we aren't getting to play right now,” said sophomore goalie Piper Gallaher. “I'm missing soccer big time, because of how much I love my teammates and how fun they make the season, but also because of how much I love soccer. I just want to play.”
That sentiment echoed through the players responses. The simple joy of putting on soccer gear and playing is very important to everyone at Grayslake Central.
However, it doesn’t mean that the Rams players have not been doing great individual work while separated.
“I usually have something for soccer throughout every season but not having anything during this has been pretty hard, I miss it a lot,” said defender Natalie Thorson. “To make up for having no training, I got to take my younger brother out to do drills and 1-v.1, which was nice because he usually never works out with me.”
“Personally, I have been working on my touch and juggling with my brother in our yard and also just trying to stay active in general,” sophomore midfielder Kaitlyn Morrissey noted. “It's been hard to do any kind of team bonding, but I've seen some of them around my neighborhood.”
Who ever thought that a juggling exercise in soccer could be so appropriate with dealing with the scenario that all of us face today? Many of the Rams players have been taking part in this skill in their time away from the field, including junior midfielder Lillian Bak.
“I’ve been running a lot outside, juggling, kicking the ball at the wall. Our team has tried to get together to condition, but it didn’t work out since we have to stay apart.”
Besides Morrissey and Bak, senior midfielder Isabella Dinkel and sophomore Janie Schultz have been doing the same acrobatic moves with the ball.
“These past few weeks, I have been running outside with the nice weather,” Dinkel said, “practicing juggling and foot skills in my backyard.”
“It has definitely been hard these past few weeks adjusting to the fact that I don't have soccer practice every day after school or games on weeknights,” Schultz added. “I am trying to keep a positive mindset.
“I have been running several miles every morning to stay in shape as well as doing various ab, cardio, and lower body workouts. I also have been enjoying time outside getting touches on the ball, juggling or just shooting around.”
Dinkel also reflected on a huge positive that has come of this situation.
"It has been very difficult lately, mainly because it is my senior year and my first year having a spot on varsity,” she said. “However, a special moment I have being away from the soccer field is spending quality time with my brother. He’s back from college in Boston so just happy I get to see him.”
For first-year coach Keith Andersson, it has been a major adjustment but has proved valuable off the field as well.
“I have been fortunate enough to spend time with my family and that has been a lot of fun,” he said. “I have a new profession; I am an e-learning teacher. I have been training with my son and daughter on the days it has been nice. And I can honestly say I don't think my house has ever been more organized.”
Andersson’s daughter bleeds the green of the Rams, and her dad shared a great memory of what the team means to her.
“Seeing the excitement in my 9-year-old daughter's voice when I talk about the girls,” Andersson noted. “My daughter is making me do SAQ (Speed, Agility and Quickness) in the alley with her, because it reminds her of the team.
"These girls have a tremendous amount of influence on our youth, and I couldn't have asked for such an amazing group of young women to coach.”