We visited Central Kitsap’s Saturday morning practice at a local school in which they completed their long run. Central Kitsap competes at the 3A division in Washington. Central Kitsap is located in Silverdale, Washington which is part of the Kitsap Peninsula and across the Puget Sound from Seattle.Central Kitsap girls won the 3A Washington State Meet last fall and the boys finished seventh in the 3A Washington State Meet. Coach Jeremy Duplissey shared information about his program.
How often does Central Kitsap practice in the summer?
CK practices Monday through Saturday as a group. Our varsity boys also run in the morning on their own, about twenty to thirty minutes, and our varsity girls do something aerobically for twenty to thirty minutes in the morning. Both boys and girls work up to five mornings per week.
Does Central Kitsap go to a team camp?
We normally would have a team camp at the beginning of the summer that is more for bonding than it is for running, however, the snow days this past school year pushed the last day of school into our camp days so now camp will be in the second official week of practice, after the season begins. We go to CISPUS Learning Center in Randel, WA. This year, we’ll be more running focus, but will also do other fun events.
Above that, our athletes are so close, that they enjoy hanging out with each other when we’re not at practice so they bring the fun.
What is the secret to Central Kitsap’s success?
There isn’t one secret, but if I could summarize it into two categories it would be consistency and commitment. Even when athletes are on vacation, they stay committed to their team by finding ways to get in their run, even if it isn’t the quality of what they would have on practice. Our athletes are committed to the team, to each other and to their goals. No one wants to let their teammates down.
How does Central Kitsap create a team culture?
I’ve found that you can’t demand a good team culture from scratch, but you can nurture it. The best way I've found to build team culture is to reward behaviors that support it. I give attendance awards, summer t-shirts and good ole fashion public edification. I’ve also found that your team will live up to how you speak about them. What your athletes hear you say about them carries a lot of weight.
What are some of Central Kitsap’s team traditions?
Our biggest tradition stems from something I did when I was in high school. My junior year at Countryside High School in Clearwater, FL, we were defending State Champs. Our coach wanted to be the first team in the state to hold a practice so on the first official day of practice, we had workout at 12:01 am. I told our team about that a few years ago and they insisted that we do the same thing. Now, I don’t think they would let me not do it so this coming August 21st, at 12:01 am, we’ll be the first team in the state to hold a practice.
Photo gallery of Central Kitsap’s practice is HERE
Are you interested in West Coast XC (WA, OR, CA high schools) visiting your summer practice? Click HERE
Comentários