Galloway, N.J. –Spring seasons at colleges and universities came to an unexpected halt amid the coronavirus, but that has not stopped Stockton University student athletes from getting in some training.

Some admit it’s not easy to train on their own. They said the support and motivation they get from coaches and one another make a huge impact.

Jennifer Toal who is on the women’s lacrosse team continues to do the best she can with at home workouts.

“During this unexpected time training can be a little challenging. Each day I try to run and either do body weight workouts or weighted workouts depending on the type of workout I am doing,” Toal said.

 “We can all agree that it’s difficult having to train alone and not being able to be with each other for motivation,” added men’s track and field athlete Jaivien Kendrick.  

Teams are trying to make training as fun and interactive as possible from a distance. Kelsey Andrus and the field hockey team are completing a “virtual” spring season and the goal is to have the most points by the end of the season.

“We have various skills and activities that we can complete to earn points. For example, we can earn points by practicing stick skills, going on a run, or completing Phil’s body weight workout. We enter how many points we receive for one day into an excel document shared with the team,” Andrus said.

The track and field teams missed out on their first home meet because of the cancelled season but coaches responded with a creative alternative, a virtual track meet of athletes coming up with inventive ways to “compete” at home.

As for connecting with teammates, student athletes are using various apps to stay in touch, including GroupMe, Snapchat, and FaceTime.

“Our team has many different GroupMe chats. Some are with coaches and some of them are just teammates and event groups. The team also has a giant GroupMe with just us, and some of us that are closer have a Snapchat group,” said women’s track and field athlete Susie Foley.    

“I am trying to keep in touch with each of my teammates through GroupMe and other forms of social media to make sure everyone is good and well,” soccer team member Kiersten Reszkowski said.   

Tennis player Sarah Richardson summed it up well: “I think we are all doing the best we can and keeping each other smiling through these times. It’s important to see how others are coping and to help each other with the transition to online classes.”

This is a difficult time for everyone, but the support and motivation student athletes have from coaches and one another makes a huge impact.

Watch the video of the “virtual track meet” on YouTube.

Reported by Katelyn Emick

 

Contact:
Diane D’Amico
Director of News and Media Relations
Galloway, N.J. 08205
Diane.D’Amico@stockton.edu
609-652-4593
609-412-8069
stockton.edu/media