This is part two of a three part series detailing Big Spring sports programs, and how their coaches use summer camps to build interest and success at the varsity level.  Part one featured the Lady Bulldog volleyball team. This week we move on to the Lady Bulldog field hockey program. 

Bulldog Field Hockey is led by Head Coach Carly Zinn, who will be starting her fourth year at the helm, after a six year stint as coach at Dickinson College. Under Coach Zinn’s leadership, the Lady Bulldogs have shown improvement each year, starting with a 2-9 record in 2022, a 6-11 record in 2023, and an 8-8 record last year.

The 2024 team produced two first team Capital Division All-Stars, Malia Ocker and Maria Tandle. There were also  two second team All-Stars on the team, Kenzie Musselman and Jemma Boothe, and, one honorable mention in Freshman goalie Addison Urso. 

Last year’s team lost only one senior to graduation and one player to transfer, so the rest of the team, to include the core of the All-Star group will return for the 2025 season.  

 

Although the outlook for this year’s varsity season is upbeat, Coach Zinn is another Bulldog coach that understands that to have continued success it doesn’t start when team members walk on to the field as freshman. It begins when they walk onto the field at youth camps. 

I visited this year’s youth camp on July 21st, the same day as the Volleyball camp.  I saw approximately 30-35 camp participants, ages K-6th grade, along with a number of Big Spring varsity players helping Coach Zinn run the work-outs.  I saw a group of youngsters that were having fun, as evidenced by the smiles and laughter. Each participant received a ton of positive reinforcement from camp instructors.  

 

When I interviewed Coach Zinn,  I asked her to detail her goals and objectives for the camp.  She responded that first of all, “the experience has to be fun and positive. ” She also noted that her objectives go beyond just building a skill set for the game. “Starting to build an understanding of being part of a team is important,” she said. “They also  learn to support and respect their teammates and coaches.”  Coach Zinn also stressed the importance of  instilling an understanding in each of them, that they will be part of a community, the Bulldog community, which is  vitally important also.

 

Coach Zinn’s remarks echoed what I had heard from volleyball Coach Samantha Webber earlier that same day.  The Big Spring School District is fortunate to have coaches that understand they are not only building athletes, but they are also student athletes that represent the Bulldog community with pride. 

It’s important to remember that not everyone of the camp participants are guaranteed to become members of the field hockey program. Some may, while others may choose to play other sports. However, the core values of what they are being taught won’t change regardless of the sport.  

 

Next week’s edition will highlight the last of the three part series, Big Spring Softball.