Women's Soccer Looks to CrossFit for New Workout
MILLERSVILLE, MD – You wouldn't have spotted the women's soccer team practicing on the turf as usual this past Thursday as these Riverhawks had somewhat of a more unconventional practice.
The team took practice off-site and underwent a work out designed for them by an instructor at the Old Line CrossFit gym located in Millersville, MD. A game cancellation has given the women a ten-day stretch of practices before their next match, so keeping focus and motivation has become important.
After completing the work out right along side her team, head coach Karin Victorio was able to give a little bit more insight into her unique practice for the day.
Q: What gave you the idea for this different, off-site workout?
Coach Victorio: We try to educate the players that fitness is their personal responsibility. The limited time we have together as a whole team is ideally used for soccer specific team training. CrossFit is something that hopefully sparks their interest and can continue with (or something similar) on their own - not only for this season, but for the next pre-season and for the rest of their lives.
Q: In what ways do you feel it was beneficial?
Coach Victorio: CrossFit is a great general strengthening program, not only for your body but for your mindset. The players were in an environment where they were driving each other to be their own best, to get that last 1% out of each other, just when they thought they couldn't go anymore their teammate was there to get them through one more. Just like in a soccer match.
Q: Do you have any thoughts to share on the team and season so far?
Coach Victorio: The team is strong – we have a lot of individual talent that are just starting to get to know each other. We have had a couple setbacks with injury and ineligibility, but we're still strong, positive, and working hard. We have a good mix of leadership from returning players as well as new players. The good thing is that this team isn't close to hitting their peak yet, they're just getting started and I'm hopeful to have a competitive run at Regionals.
Among those returning players, sophomore Lexi McArdle shares her thoughts on the CrossFit practice,
"I thought the work out really worked many different muscles and was not something I was used to. The competition motivated us to perform better – as it usually does since we are athletes."
The competition McArdle is referring to involves the technique in which their instructor set up the workout – breaking into pairs while competing against each other.
"Overall, I enjoyed the work out and would recommend it for others to try."
Check out some photos from the workout here.
You can catch up with the women's soccer team with their next game scheduled for September 12th at 4:00 pm against the host Dragons of Howard Community College.
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