Valley Sentinel
Valley Sentinel asked RV Winter Sports coaches about what they expect for the upcoming season and about how COVID-19 has impacted their sports and athletes. Below are answers from Luke Thatcher, the Boys Basketball coach and Dan Machovech, the Wrestling Coach.
Valley Sentinel: Did you have any comments or quotes as we start out the season? What should the community be looking forward to while watching this season? Any breakout athletes to watch? Should we expect to see River Valley athletes at State contests this winter sports season? What are you most excited about regarding this season? What are some of your goals for the season?
Luke Thatcher: I think we offer a brand of basketball that is pretty fun to watch. We like to extend the floor, and our kids play very hard. Tyler Nachreiner, Will Bailey, and Zach Gloudeman all received post-season awards last year, and will continue to build on their resumes. The thing I’m most excited about is just the opportunity to provide some type of normalcy during this time. Most of our athletes have spent about half of their life working at their sports, so I’m just glad we get the chance to do anything.
VS: How has COVID affected your season so far? How do you anticipate COVID affecting the season as it progresses?
LT: Practices and games are certainly run a little different. Obviously having to wear masks comes with challenges to communicate. We give more breaks in practices to use hand sanitizer and breathe a little. We make sure everyone is spaced out a little more, and athletes/coaches have screeners and temperature checks before every practice/contest. We have all accepted what we need to do to play, and I think everyone is just greatful for the opportunity to do something.
VS: The school board recently decided to continue the same policy regarding spectators that was used in the fall, what challenges do you anticipate will come with this policy and indoor winter sports? Does limits on spectators factor into the atmosphere and any strategy you may have?
LT: Obviously we are at a very different time now then the beginning of fall sports, but I think we have the facilities to space everyone out appropriately. I think the bigger challenges and frustrations will come from a lack of consistency throughout our conference with some teams allowing up to 4 tickets/athlete, and some are saying 0 spectators. Obviously no student section or pep band greatly changes the atmosphere, but I do think everyone is just grateful to get a chance to play.
VS: Now that the policies have been set, by the WIAA and the school board, do you believe winter sports will be able to be conducted safely and consistently?
LT: I sure hope so. I do worry about the consistency from school to school, but I believe everyone is doing there best to make this happen. I think everyone understands how delicate the situation is, and are being very cautious.
VS: With games starting this week (and several contests already postponed), did you have any general quotes/comments/concerns/reassurance to offer regarding the winter sports season?
LT: The kids (and coaches) are all very grateful to be able to get together and compete while being as safe as possible.
Valley Sentinel: What should the community be looking forward to while watching this season?
Dan Machovech: They should be looking forward to a team that is going to compete and try to continually grow River Valley Wrestling. Our numbers have declined over the past few years, but we are on a mission to bring a full line up every night again. This is a difficult task, but it is one of our main goals for the future of this program.
VS: Any breakout athletes to watch?
DM: Jimmy Jennings, Keeghan Kjos, Cole White, Landon Radtke, and Jackson Gilbert.
VS: Should we expect to see River Valley athletes at State contests this winter sports season?
DM: If the previous wrestlers continue to work their hardest, they all have a shot at going to state this year. Jimmy Jennings is our only wrestler with state tournament experience. He went as a sophomore.
VS: What are you most excited about regarding this season?
DM: I’m excited to see the hard work these athletes have put into this sport pay off. It is our second year as head coaches and we are trying to bring a new mindset to the program. It will be interesting to see what the team looks like four years from now.
VS: What are some of your goals for the season?
DM: This is a different year. Originally, I’d say get as many of our wrestlers to the state tournament as possible and place top 5 in multiple tournaments. However, the realistic goal right now is to get as many quality matches in before the tournament season starts. We are limited to competitions and the focus has to be on getting quality matches in at each dual.
VS: How has COVID affected your season so far? How do you anticipate COVID affecting the season as it progresses?