2007 fall
sports coaches
Nick Echols -
Duvall continues in second season
Max Duvall has been coaching football for 28 years, and is in his
second year as head coach here.
Duvall believes the team will continue to get better as the younger players
develop and the ineligible players return from grade suspensions and injuries.
It's doubtful the team will make it to the playoffs, but next year the chances
will be greater because of the expanded number of teams that will make it.
Duvall believes that the off-season is pivotal to Blue Devil success on the
turf, and that keeping kids in the program for four years will make a huge
difference in the success of football here.
Though the playoffs aren't likely, Duvall says that the standouts on the team
should still be recognized.
"I want to keep coaching here, I'm in it for the long run,” Duvall said.
Jessi
VandenBerg -
Peiffer leads harriers in
first season
A former harrier on the school's track and cross country teams returns as the
new girls cross country coach. Barry Peiffer, class of 1999, now coaches 21
girls, teaching proper form and developing greater endurance within his
athletes.
"I get excited for practice everyday," Peiffer said. "Each day varies in new and
different personalities within the group, sometimes driving me insane, but it's
fun."
As a student, Peiffer participated on various athletic teams. He wrestled and
played football, ran track for four years and competed on the cross country team
his senior year. His athletic career was inspired by Dave Thede.
"You always look back and have a favorite coach that impacted you," Peiffer
said. "I would like to be that coach for my athletes."
Last year, Peiffer joined the school's coaching staff through the boys track and
field program. He coached distance and hurdles, assisting head coach Mike Tandy.
At the Jesse Day Relays, former athletic director D'Anne Kroemer informed him
about a job opening for the fall season. Peiffer accepted the offer.
Peiffer's goals for the season include the state cross country meet in Fort
Dodge, Oct. 27. He hopes to send his top two runners, Melanie Louis and Becca
Wilder.
"I love [coaching]," Peiffer said. "I enjoy being a part of young people's
lives, creating a positive influence on each one."
Tim Corlett -
Gill helps golfers
Photography, drawing and
graphics design teacher, John Gill, has been coaching golf for 17 years.
"When I was in college I couldn't decide what I wanted to do, major in art or in
physical education," Gill said. "I chose art so I could have the best of both
worlds."
Gill coaches both the girls and boys golf team.
"We have two great teams. I enjoy the team I'm coaching at the time," Gill said.
The boys team is only a couple wins behind defending state champions Bettendorf.
The team has a two stroke lead over Bettendorf at the MAC Conference meet.
"The competition with Bettendorf has been outstanding. It has raised our level
of golf to theirs and we're doing it without country clubbers. That makes us
better," Gill said.
Anthony
Willis -
Tandy coaches young
team
Mike Tandy has been
coaching cross country for three years. Tandy says he enjoys the athletes and
that his favorite thing about coaching the sport is the challenge that it brings
to him.
Tandy has created a summer running program for those who would like to compete
in cross country, and to better train the athletes for the season, an idea that
can be used to develop talent for successive seasons. In a conference such as
the MAC, competing with the rest of the conference can be a daunting task, but
one that Tandy now feels confident his harriers can do.
"This year we will be a competitive team," Tandy said
Tandy recognizes there is underclassmen talent, and that success can be achieved
at the varsity level if these kids work hard.
"If we develop our young guys, we will be better next year,” Tandy said.
Jessi VandenBerg -
Studer refocuses
program
2001 graduate, Bre Studer, is
now the head coach of the varsity girls volleyball team.
“I get the enjoyment of teaching [the team] how to become better athletes,
better people,” Studer said. “It keeps kids out of trouble and provides
camaraderie for the girls.”
Studer has previously coached teams at Pleasant Valley and West High Schools
before being offered a job at the school. She’s coached the sophomore team here
for two years and has coached off season volleyball teams as well.
“So far the talent on the court has been pretty individualized, it hasn’t been
put together,” Studer said. “There are big things ahead though and the chemistry
will be completed. It’s a great team.”
Studer plans to continue coaching. On top of that, she has graduated from St.
Ambrose with a nursing degree, and is looking into labor and delivery nursing.
Erin Abbas -
Pauly takes leave,
Jurgena in charge
Girls swimming coach Andrea Pauly
is on maternity leave after giving birth to her first son. Tara Hanson and Vince
Jurgena have stepped into her role.
"I enjoy watching all the girls improve in their swimming and drop time,"
Jurgena said about coaching.
No major changes have been made to the team because of an absent coach.
"We are basing our workouts from last year and adding on some new things," said
Jurgena.
The team has no objections to Pauly staying home to care for the baby, "We miss
Andrea, but Tara and Jurgena are great coaches," sophomore Liz Fritz said. Other
swimmers remarked that they are happy for their coach, and fully agree that
taking some time off is good.
"We still see Andrea, just not as much," junior DeAnna Marguglio said.
