HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM: The Mustang way

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By Clarice LeBlanc, Dubuque Hempstead seniorDUBUQUE - In the midst of a swimming meet, an exciting race takes place. With eight different schools competing, only one can be crowned victor.The first swimmer finishes, and Dubuque Hempstead comes in fourth. Although the Mustangs didn't get the victory, what happens after the race is most noteworthy.“We really feel that swimming is a team sport even though we compete individually,” Coach Karla Weber said. “We wait in the water for all swimmers to finish to congratulate them and show sportsmanship and support.”Weber isn't the only coach at Hempstead who sets her standards for her team. Sportsmanship is a priority at Hempstead, and many coaches see it as more than a written rule.“Sportsmanship is an expectation, not a rule,” boys' basketball coach Curt Deutsch said. “When they're wearing a Hempstead jersey, they're held to a higher standard about how to act and behave.”Not measuring up to these expectations can result in consequences. Under Deutsch's rules, a player must sit out two quarters when given a technical foul. If a football player receives a personal foul, he must run a mile in the next practice.Supporting teammates is another act of sportsmanship, and Deutsch has strong expectations in that realm as well.“If a player gets knocked down, we always ask our kids to be the first one there to help someone when they fall down,” Deutsch said. “It sends the message that we have each other's backs, and that we're there to support each other.”Sportsmanship is not the only place coaches have higher expectations. Being a strong student-athlete is just as important. Keeping things straight in the classroom is a high priority as a Mustang.“We want students to work up to their potential,” Nate Oswald, assistant football coach, said. “We check grades three times. If they have a D or an F, they have a study hall instead of film.”Cross country coach Mark Resser also has high academic standards for his team. This year, the team captains wanted to see a higher team GPA and decided in order to achieve that goal, they would hold team study sessions. The sessions were held for an hour after practice.The runners weren't allowed to have cell phones and passing students buddied up with students in need of assistance.“They took a lot of pride in it,” Ressler said. “We don't want them focusing on just cross country.”Not only are grades important, but having good attendance is required of athletes.“If they can be on time to practice but not to algebra, that's a problem,” Deutsch said.There are consequences that follow poor attendance, as well.“If our girls have attendance issues, they know they're at risk for sitting during practices or even games,” volleyball coach Randy Dolson said.Being part of a Mustang team is a role coaches take seriously, and they want their players to be unified by that pride.“Thursday's before games the boys wear their team issued shirts and shorts, and the day of a game we all wear high green socks,” Oswald said. “We're all one team.”Green and gold, for most coaches, are the only high school colors they want to see at practice.“I don't like our players to wear other high schools' shirts,” Dolson said. “I want them to have pride in Hempstead and who they are playing for.”Dolson also stresses being smart when it comes to safety. He encourages his players to wear tennis shoes at football games to protect their feet from being stepped on.“I hope that they have enough respect for me and the team to dress right,” Dolson said.Another physical aspect coaches stress is eating healthy. Ressler discourages runners from eating fast food, and doesn't allow deserts to be served at team dinners. His goal is to educate the runners and instill healthy eating habits.“Guys have never bought into it more than this year,” Ressler said. “Winning is a byproduct of good habits.”Similarly, the football team has been changing milkshakes for protein shakes. New types of conditioning in the offseason also contributed to their improved record.“It's not luck that we got better,” Oswald said.With new state laws restricting the amount of hours football teams can practice, new programs implemented by the coaches, such as General Physical Preparation, make all the difference.“Less practice time makes the offseason that much more important,” Oswald said.Being a part of a team is something special, and it is even more special when your team stands out amongst others. The rules and expectations Hempstead coaches establish for their teams is what sets Mustangs apart from all others.