The Topeka High School soccer team is facing an unexpected challenge this season that has nothing to do with talent or skill level; it’s getting players to show up.
While the team has no shortage of ability, inconsistent attendance at practices and bad grades have become a growing concern for the coaching staff and have begun to impact team performance on the field.
Coach Gonzalez has watched as practice attendance has fluctuated throughout the season.
“Being consistent with the grades and going to practice is a struggle,” Gonzalez said. “It would make a difference if all the players had consistent good grades and went to practice every day, so that we coaches could prepare for the games. This makes us have to rearrange so many players because they cannot make it.”
The commitment issues have impacted the team. Some absences are unavoidable, and the pattern has created an issue. The coaching staff has struggled to implement consistent systems when they can’t count on the players being present for practice after practice.
In contrast to these struggles, JV has become the model of dedication and consistency.
“JV is doing a great job,” Gonzalez said. “Players were saying that last game, they were amazed by the passes and combinations. The chemistry they have is noticeable.”
Committed players have been noticed by Gonzalez and even other players. They go to practice at 5 AM and even attend the practice right after school.
“Our Varsity players have really set the standard for what we want to see across the entire team,” Gonzalez said. “They are very motivated regarding the skills, and they are smart enough to go to college.”
For Gonzalez, this season has presented challenges, but it has also shown a promising sign for change.
“I look up to Varsity Captain, Billy Lutz, the most on the team,” Stormer said. “He is such an inspiration, a leader, a great person in general, and always pushing everyone on the team to do their best. He is even better on the field. He is an amazing goalkeeper and has made many great saves.”
Having moved to Topeka from Spain last year, adjusting to a new school and a new community was also a challenge.
“I would love to say thank you to the coaches,” Gonzalez said. “Coach Snook, Coach Tiffany, and Coach Miller last year helped me in the challenging time of transitioning to Spain. Everything was new to me; they helped make everything so easy for me.”
The bond between Gonzalez and the other staff and players has become a cornerstone of the soccer team, creating a supportive environment that extends beyond just soccer tactics.
“They were awesome, I feel very lucky to be part of the team and this community,” Gonzalez said. “Same thing to the players and their families. I feel very grateful for the team.”
While Gonzalez is only a second-year coach, he has impacted the community. Varsity player Santiago Ovalle-Asencio has been impacted.
“Coach Gonzalez has impacted me and everyone else around,” Ovalle-Asencio said. “He is a great coach and always has something to tell us that makes us better. He is very supportive of our success, and he is fun.”
Despite the struggles, there is a silver lining.
“I love this team, we all have so much passion and dedication, we have our ups and downs, but we always bounce back,” Ovalle-Asencio said.