SLP, BSM Fall Sports Previews

Editor's Note: We emailed all the fall coaches at and a set of interview questions, and below we have posted responses from the coaches who replied to our request.

Questions:

1. What are your expectations for the team this year?
2. Is there a player or two fans should really pay attention to?
3. How does the rest of the conference look? What teams could be at the top?
4. What kind of team do you expect to have (young/experienced, goofy/serious, etc.)?
5. How would you describe your coaching philosophy?
6. If someone has never been out to see your team, tell them why they should come to a game this year.

Mark Snell, BSM boys cross country:

1. To finish in the top half of the North Suburban Conference Meet
2. Jay Biwer, Matt Racchini, Andy Renier
3. Top three in NSC would be Totino Grace, St. Louis Park and Cooper 
4. Very young and not experienced 
5. Very dedicated to the sport of cross country 
6. We have fun, you meet new friends and we work very hard at making everyone on the team the best they can be.

Ted Reiff, BSM volleyball

1. Our expectations are to be a vastly better team this year and usually that means we win more games, but that's not the benchmark we judge that on. We struggled last year achieving at the rate we're used to so we're a little battered and bruised, but we also know that we've got a lot of talent and when we compete at our best we can be as successful as we want to be. 
2. No response
3. The North Suburban Conference usually goes through Totino Grace and that looks to be the case again this season. St. Francis should have a good season in their NSC "Swan Song" and North Branch had a surprisingly tough team last year and should be a tough match again this year.
4. Last season, my team lost only two seniors and our starting six are back so we have a significant amount of experience. However, because we only won 8 games last year, we've got to learn how to compete at a higher level, so in that aspect, we are a little green. Our fundamentals are very improved and our ability to respond to adversity, be it a tough hitter or a tight match, looks much better. I like our chances to compete in this conference a lot. I also sense, especially from our returning athletes, an urgency to prove themselves in this conference.
5. No response
6. I believe that our team will bring a newfound intensity to our matches this year. We are hungry and that should be evident in how we play and how we compete. We've got many of the same strong athletes that have played for the past two seasons but this year we have a greater urge to show that we are stronger and more determined.

Rachel Hoffman, SLP cross country

The cross country team is the largest team we have had in about 10 years. We have 71 runners. We have 22 junior high runners who look very promising. The conference is competitive. We hope to improve over last years results. For the boys, we have Nick Sokolowski, Andrew Jewell and Elliot Slade, all juniors looking strong. For the girls, we have Sophie Olson, 12th grade, Marcie James, 8th grade and Grace Williams 9th grade looking strong. The team, boys and girls, is very focused and determined to do the best they can. 

Jaime Gaard, BSM girls tennis

1. Perform at a high level in conference and compete well against strong programs in a tough non-conference schedule
2. No response
3. Top teams include BSM, St. Louis Park and Chisago Lakes
4. A young team that is eager to compete hard while having fun
5. Positive coaching and helping players develop their tennis potential as well as grow to be great teammates and people
6. You will be impressed with the improved ability of our young team

Jeremiah Schwietering, SLP girls swimming

1. We are looking to defend the conference title for a fifth consecutive year 
2. Kathryn Ostrom- Looking for a third consecutive state title in the 100 breaststroke/ Kailey Delozier– A very fast, young distance swimmer, who is looking to break the school record in the 500 freestyle, and get into the top eight at state
3. BSM is always our No. 1 competitor. They are a strong team and we will look for a strong challenge from them.
4. We have three very strong seniors who will be very tough to lose, although we have a lot of young swimmers. We will have our work cut out for us after this year.
5. Have fun, work hard, and expect strong results at every meet. The more success we have, the more fun it becomes.
6. Wear your T-shirts and shorts (it's hot in the pool area!) and come watch some of the best swimmers in the state compete.

For more local sports coverage, check back with SLP Patch on Fridays for weekly recaps, as well as the players of the week. We will also have occassional game stories. Want to make sure your favorite team is featured on Patch all season long? Find out how you can .