By Jim Lockwood
Staff Writer

John Stark junior defenseman Jess Greaning performs a stick drill during a team practice. Without a feeder program to teach the fundamentals, much of head coach Nicole Richardson’s time is spent teaching specific techniques. (Jim Lockwood Photo)

WEARE – John Stark head coach Nicole Richardson has been a part of two types of programs during her field hockey days.

As a player, she was part of established, championship programs at White Mountains Regional High School. However, for the last four seasons coaching the Generals, wins have been less frequent.

At Stark, Richardson has spent her time teaching the basics to a group of eager athletes new to the sport. Still, it’s been an adjustment for this mentor.

“It’s all I’ve known as far as coaching goes,” said Richardson, a state championship in her junior year at White Mountains, of shifting her focus to fundamentals at JS. “It’s been more frustrating for me than it (has been) for them.”

At New England College, she contributed to two conference titles and made two appearances in the NCAA tournament.

Unlike Richardson, her players have no experience competing for field hockey championships. Most never even touched a stick prior to entering high school.

Therefore, instead of focusing on the intricacies of game strategy, Richardson teaches the players the techniques of stick handling, passing and shooting.

Adding to the challenge, the Generals compete with schools that have established feeder programs as far down as the elementary-school level.

As a result, the Generals’ opponents are more skilled and developed in the finer points of the sport. According to Richardson, that makes it hard to compete.

But the girls are showing signs of improvement, Richardson said. Since last year, they’ve improved their offensive play by spreading the field instead of clumping around the ball in the middle of the action.

Stark will return seniors Laura Getts and Tracy Coolidge to the midfield position and will feature senior newcomer Rachael Hart, who switched from soccer, at the midfield position.

Another newcomer could also lead the Stark defense. Sophomore Holly Tinker volunteered to be the team’s goalie; she was a soccer netminder in elementary school.

While the team is working hard to increase its skill level, Richardson allows the girls some light-hearted moments in practice. For example, she has the players participate in relay races to break up the field hockey drills.

“This year, a lot of girls have the will not only to do their best, but to do more than their best and push themselves,” said JS senior Holly Southwick.

Stark’s only victory last season came in a 1-0 decision against Pembroke Academy.

Charlotte Brown tallied the goal in sudden-death overtime when she worked herself free on a breakaway, dodged defenders and scored.

This year, Stark won’t let the difficulties of prior campaigns bother them, Richards said.

The ’05 roster includes Weare’s Casey Bellerose, Kari Bolton, Melissa Bolton, Stephanie Buskey, Danielle Dubois, Brittney Foote, Samantha Greaney, Jess Greaning, Jen Hagerty, Lea Haupt, Sarah Harris, Hart, Kaylee Martin, Devon Rice, Southwick, and Tinker; plus Charlotte Brown, Gabrielle Cabrera, Shannon Cabrera, Shelbie Connor, Coolidge, Laura Getts, Sky Losik, Laura Serard, Becky Turcich, Lori Turcotte, and Kali Ward.

“They’re looking for the moment,” said Richardson “They don’t dwell on the past. If (there) was a bad game, they block it out and don’t even talk about it.”