By: Shane Rabacs ’18

The girls’ lacrosse team decided to implement a new offseason weight training program, the same training as the Wreckers state championship field hockey team. Inspired by their success, the girls’ lacrosse team hopes to bring another state championship to Staples High School.
To prepare for the season, the team underwent a weight training program at Tim Taylor’s Athletic Performance Center. Taylor is the father of key player Christine Taylor ’18.
“They trained their bodies to reduce injury, increase strength and speed. They were put through a conditioning program much like you would see at the college level,” Tim Taylor said.
Despite the intensity of the workouts,the players were happy to take part in them.
“We did a lot of weight and speed training which was different from the previous years. Everyone was super committed which has helped a lot and is paying off,” team captain Meghan Johnson ’18 said.
One of the focuses the team worked on was injury prevention, which is something that has hit high school sports recently.
“My number one goal is to keep the girls on the field and off a set of crutches. Seems every team in the FCIAC has lost top players to an ACL/MCL tear,” Tim Taylor said.
The team hoped to improve after a first round loss to Glastonbury in the state playoffs last season and an 8-6 overall record.
“We have been doing strength workouts three times a week in addition to supplemental running workouts, which are completely optional, which a large majority of the team has been showing up to which is great,” captain Olivia Troy ’17 said. “We do wallball twice a week and participate in Sono clinics and league play.”
Tim Taylor praised the girls’ willingness to work at improving for this season.
“As busy as these athletes are they still found time to train. Most great athletes will tell you that championships are won in the off season,” he said. “These girls really worked hard and continue to train while they are in season so my hope is that this carries over to a successful season!”