Mustangs Build Team Chemistry During Fall Preseason
On September 4, preseason student-athletes hurried through registration in the lobby of the Mills Athletic Center. The air was filled with excited greetings between old friends, introductions to new classmates, and general optimism regarding the new school year. That positive outlook soon spilled onto courts and fields as the varsity sports teams huddled up for their first preseason practices and began preparing for the fall season.
The preseason weather was perfect on day one, as if summer couldn’t resist sticking around to watch the fun begin. Up on the North Fields, the boys varsity soccer and football teams quickly got down to business.
On Callard Field, Coach Tim Kernan and his staff ran the football team through combine drills—including 40-yard dashes, broad jumps, and shuttle runs. The team then practiced their warmup routine, running laps and stretching extensively. Upbeat music blasted from a portable speaker, underscoring cries of “Let’s go!” from the players and shouts of encouragement from the coaches.
“What’s great to see is the team’s coming together,” Coach Kernan said, highlighting a successful off-the-field teambuilding event. “The kids were hanging out afterward around the firepit, eating food, sharing stories… Everyone is very happy with where we are energy-wise. I hope we will take that, run with it, and have a great season—wins and losses aside.”
Right next to the football team, boys varsity soccer hit the pitch on Cavanaugh Field. The team started with an interval running drill and then offense and defense worked on dribbling and passing while the keepers ran through footwork, kicking, and hand drills. Coach Jonathan Howe even had the team doing pushups at one point as he looks to push the boys to improve on their NEPSAC semifinal finish last season.
Over on Ohio, the girls varsity soccer team was also hard at work. Head Coach Gordie MacKenzie and assistant Scott Ruggles ran up-back-through passing patterns, emphasizing the importance of accuracy. The coaches also reminded the girls about the value of communicating with each other on the field. “The girls have clearly been working hard in each session, and the veteran players have meshed well with the new players that have joined the squad,” said Coach MacKenzie.
Inside the Mills Athletic Center, the varsity volleyball team was already bumping, setting, and spiking in the Wray Gymnasium. Leading by example, Head Coach Florent Lacroix and Assistant Coach Barijana Caldas jumped in to play on the front lines, hitting as hard as the girls while leading practice. Coach Caldas even crashed into the gym wall while pursuing an errant set, modeling the value of hustling.
Practices for other fall sports are also underway—field hockey on the turf and cross-country on the trails. Millbrook Mustangs of all sports will be ready for competition as interschool scrimmages and games start next week.
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