At 6:30 a.m., while most of their classmates are still snoozing, the Emery/Weiner girls varsity lacrosse team is already wide awake — running drills, perfecting plays, and maybe even cracking a few jokes to survive the early morning grind. With daily before-school practices, the Jaguars are proving that dedication, teamwork, and a little bit of sleep deprivation are the keys to building a competitive and fun-loving squad.
For senior Emily Williams, the early mornings have become more of a wake-up call for success than a struggle.
“I actually love morning practices,” Williams said. “They wake me up, get me moving, and I feel like I start my day on the right foot. Plus, it’s a lot more fun when you have teammates who are just as crazy as you for showing up at this hour.”
With nearly half the team made up of freshmen, the Jaguars are working to blend new energy with experienced leadership. Williams said the younger players are adapting quickly, even if they weren’t exactly prepared for the whole “running around at sunrise” thing.
“Honestly, some of them looked like zombies the first week,” she joked. “But now they’re keeping up, and we’re all working really hard together.”
Junior Emma Zadok agrees that the early wake-ups aren’t easy, but they’re helping the team bond in a unique way.
“It’s tough waking up at 5:30 a.m., but by the time practice starts, we’re all in it together,” Zadok said. “You’ve got people running on iced coffee and Celsius, others still half-asleep, but once we start playing, it’s all good vibes.”
Head coach Zach Fry has been impressed with his team’s dedication — and their ability to keep things light even at the crack of dawn.
“I don’t know many high schoolers who would willingly wake up this early to run sprints, but this group has an amazing attitude,” Fry said. “They show up, they work hard, and they make it fun. That’s what makes this team special.”
While lacrosse season is just beginning, one thing is already clear: the Jaguars are bringing energy, heart, and a whole lot of laughter to the field — even if they need an iced coffee to do it.
