July 27, 2012 — Rowan County Girls Soccer Head Coach Randy Wallace is in his second year at the helm of the Lady Vikings program.
Upon taking the job last season, Wallace hoped to spearhead a turnaround of the Rowan’s girls sqaud, something he certainly laid the ground work for with a 12-6-3 year.
One year later, Wallace and his Lady Vikings have been enduring the summer heat to prepare for the upcoming season.
Taking on some of the best programs in the state during summer scrimmages, such as Frankfort, Rowan County’s second-year coach wants his girls to be prepared when they take on the area’s best.
“We began non-mandatory workouts in May when school ended, and most of the girls have attended each day, something that is quite encouraging,” Wallace said. “After the dead period we attended MSU's team camp where we had the opportunity to play against top notch competition (Franklin County, Louisville Male and Lawrence County). This does nothing but help us prepare for the coming season, and I have to say that I am very pleased with the progress we have made this summer.”
Part of last year’s success on the field can be attributed to the youth on the Lady Vikies roster.
With a group of incoming freshman who finished with a dominant 19-1-1 record during its eighth grade year, Wallace is excited about his young team, but he also doesn’t discount his experienced players.
“We do have a lot of young talented girls this year, including a group of sophomores that had to play a lot of varsity minutes last season,” Wallace said.
“There is also a group of incoming freshmen who are coming off a 19-1-1 middle school season. But the glue for this team is the senior class; they have been great leaders during all our summer workouts and pushed the younger players to give their best effort to each practice. They will be essential to our success.”
A key component to that incoming group of freshman’s good fortune was a defense sparked by an athletic group of girls.
Wallace says his team is defintely athletic, but this isn’t necessarily his team’s biggest strength.
“Athleticism is a big positive for us, as well as having a great attitude about doing the work that needs to be done in order to have a successful season,” Wallace said. “But our biggest strength is the leadership of our senior class. They work hard every day and are so positive with the younger players, and they also set the bar high for themselves, while pushing the other girls to give their best effort each day. Their goals for this season are lofty and they wont settle for anything less.”
With such big aspirations from his players, what does the coach hope to achieve in the 2012 season?
“We want to continue with improving our conditioning and skill development. At this point we are considerably better than we were last year,” Wallace said.
“We have upgraded our schedule by adding teams that will make us more tournament ready, including a trip to Owensboro the first weekend of the season to play in the DC Classic where our opponents will be Marshall County and Lone Oak. Harrison County and Montgomery County have also been added, as well as keeping Bourbon County, Sayre, Lawrence County and regional powers Ashland, Russell and East Carter.
With the season opener set for Aug. 13 against Mason County on the road, Wallace closed by welcoming supporters to come out and cheer on the Lady Vikings this year.
“I would like to invite everyone to come and support the team this season as they represent Rowan County Senior High School and their community. They have sacrificed a lot of time and sweat this summer, and there is no doubt they have earned your support.”
Grant Stevens can be reached at gstevens@themoreheadnews.com or by telephone at 784-4116.
