Previewing The Spring Sports Season

With Palmetto’s spring sports season upon us, new teams, players and coaches cause for several questions surrounding the teams.

For the girls lacrosse team, the new season brings a new coach and many new players, leaving the team concerned about whether they can live up to expectations. After a season in which the team advanced to the district finals and lost to Ransom Everglades, team members look forward to a roster with an influx of new talent, along with a new coach.

“Since we have a new coach, my expectations for this season have altered a little bit,” said junior lacrosse player Olivia Clark. “I look forward to working together as a team and getting as far as we possibly can.”

The team looks to build endurance in preparation for a grueling season, also hoping to unifying their players of all ages.

“Hopefully, we have more stamina and endurance skills. We can work as a team on and off the field,” Clark said.

Currently girls softball is one of the premier sports at Palmetto, having recently reached multiple state championships, winning several region finals and taking home countless district titles on the way.

Palmetto’s softball team, which made it to the Florida state competition last year, hopes to live up to and exceed last year’s results. In order to do so, players anticipate longer practices and a more rigorous schedule to prepare the team for their games.

“We also set our schedule a little more difficult in order to keep us competing at the level we need to be,” said junior softball player Lauren Margolis. “I think this year we are expecting to go to the state finals instead of just semifinals.”

The team also wants to incorporate new practices times where they can refine their skills.

“I think the expectations are that we’re gonna flow better as a team and have less inside drama, and we all wanna be there everyday,”said senior softball player Kiley Kross. “I think we are gonna do about the same, but play with more initiative. We’re gonna play every game as our best and come out on top.”

The Palmetto baseball team looks forward to advancing to another state championship final four. They have the talent, the coaching skills, and the dedication from the players to make it happen. Coming off a 23-7 campaign, the team looks forward to a record-breaking season.

“I can promise you that the 30th game will be in the newspaper as a Palmetto win,” senior Austin Malone said. “This year we have the talent to win states, as long as we work together as a team.”

It is important that the team learns from their mistakes to make this season a  memorable and successful one.

Athletics Director Steve Batten looks forward to this upcoming season.

“It takes a lot of off-season work, dedication, club and travel ball to make us perform at a higher level,” Batten said. “I love seeing the passion, excitement and commitment between the coaches and the kids.”