Coach's Corner - Lori Sexton, Sparrows Point Girls Soccer
Today we're featuring Lori Sexton, the girls' soccer head coach at Sparrows Point High School in Baltimore County! Coach Sexton spoke with us about a variety of topics, including why she enjoys coaching at Sparrows Point!
County Sports Zone:How did you get your start with coaching soccer?
Lori Sexton:In 2001, Sparrows Point had openings for coaches in their girls soccer program. I was in my fourth year of teaching at Sparrows Point Middle School when athletic director Russ Lingner approached me about coaching the team and I accepted. I continued coaching through the Fall of 2005. Eight seasons later I was ready to get involved again. The assistant coach job was open and I jumped on the chance to come back.
CSZ:Why do you coach? What about it do you enjoy?
LS:One of the main reasons I love to coach is because of the personal relationships that are created with the athletes. It is very rewarding spending time with such a great group of girls. You really get to know them on a different level when you spend time with them outside of the classroom. The relationships I have with them are what keep me coming back year after year. I had begun to notice a void during the eight years I was not coaching and it has been great to be able to fill that void with these young ladies.
CSZ:Specifically Sparrows Point- why do you enjoy coaching there?
LS:Sparrows Point is such a unique place. It is a small, tight-knit community and I feel blessed that I am a part of it. At Sparrows Point, we strive to cultivate an environment where athletes feel supported so they can be the best students and athletes they can be. The support of the athletic department, school, and community is beyond amazing. I have been at Sparrows Point my entire coaching and teaching career and wouldn't have it any other way!
CSZ:You stepped into a unique situation this season, taking over as head coach for a program that was already tremendously successful in previous seasons. How did you approach taking the helm of the program this season?
LS:With very little turnover this year, I anticipated that the transition would occur smoothly. Having been with the team for three years as assistant coach, I wasn't coming in blind. I knew the strengths of the returning players and wanted to make sure we enhanced those strengths, as well as look for ways to integrate the new players without changing the total dynamic and feel of our game.
CSZ:It ended up being a tremendous season for Sparrows Point's girls soccer program. Why was this year's group a state championship winning one?
LS:Our team brought back a ton of experience coming into this season. Several of the girls had at least one state championship under their belt. The leadership within the team was able to pull everyone together into one cohesive group. Our expectations had not changed although it was a new season. Our goal for the year was the same as the year before. Work hard, play hard.
CSZ:What are the goals and expectations for this upcoming season for Sparrows Point girls soccer?
LS:It can't be denied that state championship number six is something that we hope to get the opportunity to play for as well as the county championship. However, it is a new year and we need to focus on one practice at a time, one game at a time. I want the girls to be the best they can be, whatever that looks like. Come August we will have to work to find the new "us". The successes and failures we experienced last season will serve as motivation and guidance to our returning players as well as our new players.
But success can't only be defined by our accomplishments throughout the season. Hard work, determination, and perseverance need to be part of the equation. So we will start with that in August and I look forward to seeing where it leads us this season.
| June 25th, 2018 | By: Wick Eisenberg |