With spring sports slowly finishing everyone is getting prepared for spring sports. These sports are boys’ golf coached by Rennie Failor, girls’ tennis coached by Scott Mills, and track and field coached by Nate Lanik.
Boys’ golf is coached by Rennie Failor, a teacher at AHS. Coach Failor is an avid golfer himself. He stated, “I try to play at least three times a week over the summer and I would play every day if I had the chance!” Coach Failor grew up with many good coaches and teachers for golf and he is very happy to fill that role at AHS! Coach Failor is preparing for this season by getting things in order. He said. “ I am getting a roster made, ordering uniforms and equipment, speaking to players, and getting his paperwork in order.” His goals for this season are simple. He wants to develop his players, especially younger athletes, to hone skills in his veteran players. Coach Failor would also love it if they qualified for state as a team! Coach Failor is very excited to begin this season. He stated, “I’m returning a lot of good players from last year, so we should be very competitive!” Aside from the competition, it seems to have been a long off-season, Coach Failor and his athletes are ready to get back on the course. Coach Failor is hoping the weather is a lot more cooperative this year than last. He had to cancel meets last season due to the harsh winter and snow that just wouldn’t go away. He said, “ We weren’t able to use the driving range until three or four weeks into the season last year.” Hopefully, the course will be nice for the boys this year, and Coach Failor’s goal will come true and they make it to state!
Scott Mills is the girls tennis coach. Coach Mills ended up coaching girls and boys tennis because at the time the school didn’t have a coach. He states, “I always saw myself as a baseball and softball coach who was in the right place at the right time. I now think I am becoming a tennis coach and love this sport!” Coach Mills has been coaching youth tennis in Alliance for 30 years now, from 4-year-olds up to high school seniors. Coach Mills stated, “Coaching is the best job I ever had and I love it!” Coach Mills is preparing for this season by constantly looking to add drills and conditioning specific to tennis. He mentioned that this is a year-round thing he does to prepare. He said, “Our team numbers have been increasing throughout the years so I am also looking for ways to keep larger groups busy and make the best of our practice times.” Coach Mills’s number one goal is to always try to improve every aspect of the game. He said, “I want to try to improve not just our team record but also how we handle wins and losses as well as what kind of teammates we are.” Coach Mills is always excited for the season to start. he stated, “I look forward to the time I get to spend with all of these players! Helping them figure things out and continue to grow as individuals is what this job is about!” Coach Mills hopes the biggest change he wants to see this season is the way the team practices. Mills said, “I need to structure practices so we can get more of them, and we don’t have so many players waiting to participate.” The new 2024 season for the girls tennis team is going to be awesome! I hope to see them winning and putting new records on the board!
Nate Lanik, a counselor at AHS, is the track and field coach. Coach Lanik started coaching track because he loves to coach. He said, “I love to see improvement, personal growth, student-athletes pushed to limits that they never thought were possible, and for them to succeed.!” He also mentioned the joy on one’s face when one breaks a personal record is priceless, and during track season he sees that week in and week out. Coach Lanik is preparing for the new season by getting a lot of paperwork done. He stated, “Honestly, it is a lot of paperwork, doing the rule meetings, recruiting athletes, finalizing coaching staff, and ensuring the job’s administrative part is ready for the upcoming season.” As of right now, coach Lanik has been working on finalizing the practice plans and calendar for the new season. Coach Lanik’s goal is the same every year, he would like to see growth among all the athletes! He said, “Another goal is for student-athletes to get better weekly and set personal marks that they strive to break throughout the season. And then, our athletes compete at their best at the end of the year and get as many State qualifiers as possible. I am hoping we will be taking a bus to Omaha for State track!” Coach Lanik is extremely excited for track and field season to start. He stated, “I am tired of the cold weather and I’m looking forward to what Spring has to offer.” The Bulldogs have some great track starts and Lanik is excited to see them compete and show the others what they have been doing to be at the front of the pack and the top of the podium.” Coach Lanik wouldn’t change anything but rather build on, for this track and field season the number of students competing. Lanik would love to see the number of players increase! Lanik stated, “I want to continue to focus on personal growth and just being better. A better runner, a better jumper, a better thrower, a better vaulter, but maybe more importantly better people! Let’s hope that the track season goes the way Coach Lanik wants it to go and they come out with a bunch of wins!
The spring sports coaches are all excited to get rolling with the new season. Good luck to everyone who tries out for a spring sport, I hope you love it and have an amazing time! Let’s hope all the teams do well and make something out of this season!
