Want an indication if the women’s soccer program at Hesston College was satisfied with its performance this season? Just check out the college’s indoor soccer facility on a given afternoon this offseason and you will find your answer. There, only weeks removed from the end of a difficult campaign, you’ll find a coach and a group of players already tackling drills and conditioning sessions. Eager to improve, the young Larks program appears to have a clear agenda as the fall semester ends – take a huge leap forward in 2011.
Coming off his first year at the helm, coach Bryan Kehr anticipates a breadth of gains during the offseason that will boost the Larks come next fall.
“It starts with quality people, and we have plenty of them in our program,” Kehr said. “Individual workouts and team conditioning drills have been going very well. I’ve been particularly impressed with our sophomores, whose playing days are over at Hesston, yet they’ve brought enthusiasm and a good work ethic to team workouts. I think it shows the commitment they have with their teammates and Hesston College soccer.”
A grueling conference schedule demands a deep roster with athleticism and talent, and Kehr believes that’s exactly where the program is headed.
The 2010 season included a roster of 22, the majority of whom were freshmen. Early recruiting gains have the Larks on track to have as many as 25 players for the 2011 campaign, which bodes well considering Kehr routinely played 17-18 players per game this fall.
“We’ve already secured three verbal commitments for next year including an outstanding defender and two solid midfielders,” Kehr said. “It’s in the offseason that strides can really be made, both in recruiting and in player development. I’m excited to see how our program develops over the next several months.”
A successful women’s soccer program at Hesston College is something everyone on campus is hopeful for, and just four years removed from its inaugural season, pieces appear in place for a quick turnaround for a program that has struggled with consistency.
The program started with a bang. A 6-6 campaign in 2007 under coach Kurt Hostetler had the campus buzzing with excitement. An impact forward on that team, current Larks assistant Meg Gongwer was one of the most electric players in the region and led the Larks in scoring.
Similar to many small school athletic departments, Hesston hired Hostetler to initiate a women’s program while simultaneously coaching the men’s team. The college has now moved to a model with a separate coaching staff for each squad, thereby maximizing each student-athlete’s opportunities for personal attention and development. That transition will play a major factor in the improvement of the Larks’ women’s soccer program that witnessed a modest improvement in Kehr’s first year.
From a player’s perspective, one would think the women’s team might be relieved, even grateful, that the season is over following a 3-14-1 year, yet the mood is one of anticipation as the program looks forward.
“I was happy we started with offseason workouts right away,” said freshman defender Colby Troyer, Waterford, Pa. “Coach has different activities and exercises ready for us every day and that has kept things fresh and fun. Bryan is a firm coach who knows what he wants from our team, and that has helped tremendously in the rebuilding process.”
“Our players enjoy each other’s company,” Kehr said. “There’s a genuine care for one another and an excitement about seeing the program grow. The players are making positive connections with the campus community in general, and that has helped enhance their playing experience.”
“As sophomores we have a lot to keep working for,” said co-captain midfielder Kelsey Schrock, Wellman, Iowa. “It’s been fun hanging out with the girls and watching us get better as a team. Plus there’s a social element to our workouts that we anticipate, and we still have a few spring scrimmages ahead of us.”
As the holiday season approaches and the fall semester nears its end, Schrock, Troyer and the rest of the women on the team continue to balance academics and athletics, relationships and rigors of college life.
Coach Kehr, meanwhile, can be found in his office putting together another workout for his players aimed at polishing the talent on his roster, building relationships and growing a program one day at a time.
In soccer, Hesston College competes in Division I of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). Located 30 miles north of Wichita, Hesston College is the two-year liberal arts college of Mennonite Church USA.