The Red & White
A Need for Speed: What that extra step means to athletes at the topFriday, November 17, 2006 By Jessica Frey
Soccer player Olivia May thinks speed has benefited the whole team. “Speed has benefited the us a lot. The faster you are the more chances you can score by running around them or by getting to the ball faster,” says May. While speed is a very important aspect, not everyone has it. Soccer player Matthew Gulliver says, “The advantage of speed in sports is that it’s another edge on others, you either have it or you don’t.” Speed is one aspect that you can try to improve on but generally comes naturally. Sophomore Jordan Klinger uses speed to be versatile. “Klinger’s dangerous because when he gets in the open he’s hard to catch and can run patterns like a receiver,” says football player Michael Tombasco. Klinger also thinks speed helps him do the dirty work. “I can get to my blocks faster and my speed and momentum helps me make blocks.” Although speed does not come natural to all athletes, some must use techniques to improve their speed. “Training, speed workouts and mainly running many miles help improve speed,” says cross-country runner Travis Martucci. Olivia May also believes that practicing will improve her speed. “I work on running a lot. Even when I’m sick and tired of running, I push myself to keep going knowing that it will be worth it in the end,” says May. In field hockey speed is still an important skill to posses. “They will beat you to the ball if you don’t have speed,” says junior forward Sandra Anceraverage. “That’s why people on the forward line have to be fast, so they can get to the ball.” Although speed is a key ingredient, most athletes will say that the combination of both speed and other skills that come with speed makes one even more dangerous. If a team is lacking speed, in any sport, the combination of other skills are usually useless. “Having the team run in groups instead of being spread out and endurance are some other skills that help the team,” says Martucci. Where in soccer there are different skills but still contribute to speed. “We had a physical therapist come and talk to us about stretching, proper workouts, and proper posture,” says May. “She taught us that how we were preparing and training was not good for our bodies. She taught us a lot.” Speed is the key factor overall. As Michael Tombasco says, “Speed is always potential to break the big play.” What it comes down to is that speed separates the winners from the losers with the ability to make the big play time after time. |