No question, Willowbrook
maintains team chemistry
By Ken Keenan
Keeping a team together while everyone stays apart is no easy task, but it hasn't stopped Willowbrook from finding a way to get the job done.
Spearheaded by assistant coach Pete "Monty" Montgomery, the Warriors have been participating in a "Question of the day" exercise. Each day, Montgomery electronically forwards a particular question to team members, and the girls share their answers and provide feedback.
One recent question: If somebody gave you a box with everything you've lost, what would be in that box? Another example: Would you rather be stuck by a pool or at the beach?
"School comes first," Montgomery said. "It's important to continue to be successful in the classroom, even as everyone gets accustomed to getting remote assignments done. But it's also important to stay connected with one another. So the 'get to know you' questions, it's an opportunity to continue to connect with each other ... to keep those bonds connected."
It also adds a daily dose of levity during these anxious times as the COVID-19 crisis deepens.
"The question a day, it's really fun," said Willowbrook senior forward Julianna Paulsen. "We laugh and joke around. It takes our minds off everything that's going on. The whole team, we look forward to it every day. It keeps us chill and connected, even though we're not with each other right now."
Paulsen continued: "It's important to keep team chemistry going. If the season doesn't go, it's important for the others to keep team chemistry up for next year."
Rachel Klamecki, a sophomore defender, also enjoys Montgomery's question of the day. She also agreed with Paulsen concerning team chemistry.
"We have the group chat, and we just answer the questions each day and talk about it," Klamecki said. "It's a good way to connect with with each other. We can't go to each other's house, so maintaining that team connection is important. It's good for us to keep connected, knowing we're all in the same situation."
Added Klamecki: "Staying connected helps the team chemistry. We pride ourselves on that -- be comfortable with each other on the field and in school -- and we've had that connection from the very beginning."
In addition to his "Question of the day" exercise, Montgomery said the Willowbrook athletic department is offering, "different opportunities for online leadership classes, remote yoga classes to do virtually ... different efforts to keep athletes connected.
"We can't organize any get-togethers, can't even gather in a small group to push each other and keep spirits up. But the girls are finding way to get that competitiveness out on their own."
Paulsen, who will continue her soccer career at Concordia-Chicago, said she's doing her best to stay game-ready as she deals with the frustration of not being able to actually play.
"The day after we found out the season was suspended, I was really upset so I went on a five-and-a-half-mile run," she said. "I'm also taking bike rides, juggling a soccer ball in my backyard, working on my fitness schedule for college soccer next year. But it's really hard. We want to be back on the field. It's hard to be cooped up in the house all the time ... really rough to miss the start of the season."
Added Paulsen: "A lot of my senior teammates, we don't know if we're going to be able to play. The freshmen, the others, they're bummed, too."
Klamecki said, "I try to stay active. I'm doing little soccer workouts in the basement with cones, get some touches with the ball. I also go out and run to work on cardio. You need to maintain that conditioning. I'm sure the coaches are expecting us to be ready for when the season comes back."
Klamecki continued: "The biggest frustration is not being with the team. I love playing games and winning games. It's frustrating not being able to play the game I love. Soccer is a great escape to let off that energy after school, and being with the people I love. I just wish we could all be together. We really miss the human interaction."
Whether school and the soccer season return to business this spring or not, Montgomery is confident the Warriors will prevail.
"This is a group of girls that will come out of this stronger and more well-rounded," he said. "How to keep yourself in shape while isolated, things they're doing to stay sharp athletically, and also staying motivated to do the schoolwork. It's a challenge for them, but getting over this hurdle will make them better and stronger in the long run."
Added Montgomery: "This is tough right now. We want to give these girls a chance to play. It's what they've worked for. So we hope to get that positive ending -- to be able to compete again. They deserve it."
They also deserve a shout-out for keeping the bigger picture in perspective amid all the coronavirus uncertainty.
"Staying home, that's the easiest way to do it," Paulsen said. "Just chill out for a second and make the sacrifice in the short run. That will save a lot of people in the long run."
Klamecki said, "Being selfish right now, that can be dangerous to our families and others. Doing this (sheltering) now, it will help people. We have to make sure to stay positive and know this won't be the rest of our lives."
maintains team chemistry
By Ken Keenan
Keeping a team together while everyone stays apart is no easy task, but it hasn't stopped Willowbrook from finding a way to get the job done.
Spearheaded by assistant coach Pete "Monty" Montgomery, the Warriors have been participating in a "Question of the day" exercise. Each day, Montgomery electronically forwards a particular question to team members, and the girls share their answers and provide feedback.
One recent question: If somebody gave you a box with everything you've lost, what would be in that box? Another example: Would you rather be stuck by a pool or at the beach?
"School comes first," Montgomery said. "It's important to continue to be successful in the classroom, even as everyone gets accustomed to getting remote assignments done. But it's also important to stay connected with one another. So the 'get to know you' questions, it's an opportunity to continue to connect with each other ... to keep those bonds connected."
It also adds a daily dose of levity during these anxious times as the COVID-19 crisis deepens.
"The question a day, it's really fun," said Willowbrook senior forward Julianna Paulsen. "We laugh and joke around. It takes our minds off everything that's going on. The whole team, we look forward to it every day. It keeps us chill and connected, even though we're not with each other right now."
Paulsen continued: "It's important to keep team chemistry going. If the season doesn't go, it's important for the others to keep team chemistry up for next year."
Rachel Klamecki, a sophomore defender, also enjoys Montgomery's question of the day. She also agreed with Paulsen concerning team chemistry.
"We have the group chat, and we just answer the questions each day and talk about it," Klamecki said. "It's a good way to connect with with each other. We can't go to each other's house, so maintaining that team connection is important. It's good for us to keep connected, knowing we're all in the same situation."
Added Klamecki: "Staying connected helps the team chemistry. We pride ourselves on that -- be comfortable with each other on the field and in school -- and we've had that connection from the very beginning."
In addition to his "Question of the day" exercise, Montgomery said the Willowbrook athletic department is offering, "different opportunities for online leadership classes, remote yoga classes to do virtually ... different efforts to keep athletes connected.
"We can't organize any get-togethers, can't even gather in a small group to push each other and keep spirits up. But the girls are finding way to get that competitiveness out on their own."
Paulsen, who will continue her soccer career at Concordia-Chicago, said she's doing her best to stay game-ready as she deals with the frustration of not being able to actually play.
"The day after we found out the season was suspended, I was really upset so I went on a five-and-a-half-mile run," she said. "I'm also taking bike rides, juggling a soccer ball in my backyard, working on my fitness schedule for college soccer next year. But it's really hard. We want to be back on the field. It's hard to be cooped up in the house all the time ... really rough to miss the start of the season."
Added Paulsen: "A lot of my senior teammates, we don't know if we're going to be able to play. The freshmen, the others, they're bummed, too."
Klamecki said, "I try to stay active. I'm doing little soccer workouts in the basement with cones, get some touches with the ball. I also go out and run to work on cardio. You need to maintain that conditioning. I'm sure the coaches are expecting us to be ready for when the season comes back."
Klamecki continued: "The biggest frustration is not being with the team. I love playing games and winning games. It's frustrating not being able to play the game I love. Soccer is a great escape to let off that energy after school, and being with the people I love. I just wish we could all be together. We really miss the human interaction."
Whether school and the soccer season return to business this spring or not, Montgomery is confident the Warriors will prevail.
"This is a group of girls that will come out of this stronger and more well-rounded," he said. "How to keep yourself in shape while isolated, things they're doing to stay sharp athletically, and also staying motivated to do the schoolwork. It's a challenge for them, but getting over this hurdle will make them better and stronger in the long run."
Added Montgomery: "This is tough right now. We want to give these girls a chance to play. It's what they've worked for. So we hope to get that positive ending -- to be able to compete again. They deserve it."
They also deserve a shout-out for keeping the bigger picture in perspective amid all the coronavirus uncertainty.
"Staying home, that's the easiest way to do it," Paulsen said. "Just chill out for a second and make the sacrifice in the short run. That will save a lot of people in the long run."
Klamecki said, "Being selfish right now, that can be dangerous to our families and others. Doing this (sheltering) now, it will help people. We have to make sure to stay positive and know this won't be the rest of our lives."