THE LONG RUN SPOELSTRA TRADITION CONTINUES AT D.C.Byline: Kirby Kirby is a common place name, surname, and given name. Other common uses include:
Lee Special to the Daily News Running cross country at Desert Christian High seemed like the logical choice for sophomore Amy Spoelstra. Her father, Dean Spoelstra, is Desert Christian's principal and coached the team since the program's inception 13 years ago. Cousins Bethany and Matthew Spoelstra were members of last year's team. Photos of Amy as a child dressed up in a Desert Christian jersey at races are prominent in the family photo album. She also has vivid memories of the team dinners and movie nights at the Spoelstras' home. ``I pretty much grew up knowing cross country,'' Amy said. ``I was encouraged as soon as I could and being part of the high school girl thing. I just caught onto it.'' Coaching family is becoming commonplace for her father, who also coaches the school's baseball team. There were three last fall: Amy; Bethany, a four-year runner now a freshman at The Master's College History The Master's College was founded as Los Angeles Baptist Theological Seminary on May 25, 1927 to meet the need for a fundamental Baptist school on the West Coast. , and Matthew, a sophomore who is taking a break from cross country this fall. And there figures to be more. Amy's brother Jeff, 12, is a seventh grader A grader, also commonly referred to as a blade or a motor grader, is an engineering vehicle with a large blade used to create a flat surface. Typical models have three axles, with the engine and cab situated above the rear axles at one end of the vehicle and a third who runs in Desert Christian's middle-school program. Another brother, Jonathan, 10, is a baseball and basketball player. Amy's uncle Duane, her father's twin brother, and another uncle, Kevin, each live within a half-mile radius of the Spoelstra home. Three cousins, Andrew, who is in the seventh grade; Kara Kara (kär`ə), river, c.140 mi (230 km) long, NE European and NW Siberian Russia. It flows N from the N Urals into the Kara Sea, forming part of the traditional border between European and Asian Russia. It is navigable in its lower course. , a fourth grader; and Kelsie, a second grader, have aspirations aspirations npl → aspiraciones fpl (= ambition); ambición f aspirations npl (= hopes, ambition) → aspirations fpl of joining the cross country team at Desert Christian. ``It's kind of worked out well,'' Dean Spoelstra said. ``My brothers and I were all raised in the same home doing the same thing. We're not too worried about results and wins or losses but for them to give their best effort.'' It's been a formula for success. The Knights have won 10 consecutive league tiles, a Southern Section title, and are seeking their third consecutive top-three finish in the state Division V final. Amy has also played a role in Desert Christian's success this fall. Not just as the team's No. 3 runner but for recruiting middle school classmates Classmates can refer to either:
v. com·posed, com·pos·ing, com·pos·es v.tr. 1. To make up the constituent parts of; constitute or form: five of the team's top nine runners. ``She is just a joy and understands what we are trying to do,'' Dean Spoelstra said of Amy. ``She is a good indicator on the pulse of the team, how her legs feel and how the workout Workout Informal repayment or loan forgiveness arrangement between a borrower and creditors. workout 1. The process of a debtor's meeting a loan commitment by satisfying altered repayment terms. went. I never would have imagined her as a varsity runner and she has surpassed all my expectations. All of this is a pleasure.'' For Amy, her father serves as an inspiration, from accompanying her on weekend runs to pep talks. During the summer, father and daughter took turns waking each other for morning workouts. ``I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. if I would have liked running if he weren't the coach,'' Amy said. ``Now that I know what it is, I love it and would never quit.'' Amy doesn't receive any preferential pref·er·en·tial adj. 1. Of, relating to, or giving advantage or preference: preferential treatment. 2. treatment because of her father. Last year, she was given a referral notice for a dress-code violation. There also are no exceptions when it comes to running. She often addresses her father as 'dad' at workouts and races but receives a quicker response by shouting 'coach' or 'Spoe' because he is so entrenched en·trench also in·trench v. en·trenched, en·trench·ing, en·trench·es v.tr. 1. To provide with a trench, especially for the purpose of fortifying or defending. 2. in coaching. ``You know he loves his daughter, but she doesn't get any special treatment,'' senior Jynnifer Wright said. ``It is exactly the same for Amy as all of us. We think of her as Spoe's daughter, but she works hard for her position and is doing a great job.'' SPOELSTRA FILE Name: Amy Spoelstra School: Desert Christian Year: Sophomore Sport: Cross Country Notable: Spoelstra's father Dean is the cross country coach and school's principal. Cousin Bethany, who graduated last year, was a four-year runner for the Knights. CAPTION(S): photo, box Photo: Desert Christian's Amy Spoelstra is the latest in a long and successful line of runners at the school. Kirby Lee/Special to the Daily News Box: SPOELSTRA FILE (see text) |
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