With the spring sports season upon us, athletes and coaches are eager to get outside and get past the wintry season. The spring season officially began on February 28th when team tryouts began. Coaches and athletes gathered at the diamonds, courts, tracks, and fields to prepare to beat the competition.
One of the most excited teams to get started is also the newest team sport, STUNT. PB’s team is coached by Jordyn Williams, who is excited to get going. Coach Williams sees STUNT as “a competitive, head-to-head team sport derived from cheerleading.” She notes that one difference is that “it removes crowd-leading and focuses only on technical athletic skills.” Similar to other sports, a STUNT match is divided into four quarters, though it differs in that it includes events such as tumbling and jumping events. Coach Williams says that people “can expect STUNT to be a high-energy atmosphere with fast-paced action and continuous competition.” She adds that it is more “like a sporting event than a cheer competition.”
PB’s varsity boys’ lacrosse team, which is led by PB alum and 15-year head coach Greg Jolles, has high hopes for the upcoming season. Coach Jolles aims to “Improve on last year’s win total, win the consortium, and potentially play for a regional championship.” He mentions Junior Miles Mackel, Seniors Jarod Macchio and Matt Sadanala as players who often step up and lead the team when he’s not present. Coach Jolles notes that although the team is small, it is a strong group. “I like how close this team is,” he says. “The fight the team will put up each game, and the potential for this group.”
A spring team that is highly anticipated this year is PB’s track and field team, led by Coach Funmi, who is heading into her fifth year as a coach, and third year as Head Coach. Coach Funmi used to roam the halls of PB and run around the same track that we all do so she knows what it takes to be successful. She’s excited for this season and hopes to “have athletes compete and score at Counties, Regionals, and States. We’re aiming to produce champions both individually and as a team,” she says. Beyond accolades and records, she wants every athlete to PR and to put “Paint Branch on the map at invitationals, divisional meets, and throughout championship season where they continue building a legacy of growth, grit, and excellence.” She loves her team, especially how every athlete is “Talented. Driven. Resilient.”
A team that might fly under the radar this spring season is PB’s boys’ tennis, which is led by Mr. Christensen, who is also a PB physics teacher. Coach C. is heading into his second year leading boys’ tennis at PB. As a newcomer, it’s important to have trust in his team and he gives thanks to seniors Aaron and Ryan Silberglitt for being team leaders who support his work as coach. Although many may be unfamiliar with tennis, he notes that his team is surprising everyone by “how eager to learn this team is.” Coach C. says that his goals for the team include “growth and consistent improvement over the season,” and adds, “I am looking for us to be competitive in matches and to have lots of school spirit.”
The varsity softball team is led by head coach Ali Krizmanich, who is in her third year as head coach and has been with the softball team for eight seasons. Coach K and her assistant coach – and sister – Erin Krizmanich are both PB softball alums. Coach K wants to see player growth this season and highlights how, “We want to help our young roster build and improve their fundamental skills and game awareness through quality reps at practice and intentional coaching.” She notes that the team is very young and inexperienced with more than half of the team new to the sport. She strives to “build a group that becomes connected, is coachable, and proud of their identity as a program – gritty, hardworking, and competitive. Our culture is something that we want to carry into next season and beyond.”
These five teams are just part of PB’s strong spring sports group. In addition to these squads, keep an eye out for co-ed volleyball and boys’ Volleyball, two teams that always have an exciting atmosphere on the court, especially against rivals, allied softball and baseball teams, who play exciting games out on the diamond, and you can catch the girls’ tennis team out on the courts.
