Orange Puts Twist on Training

<a href="http://www.suathletics.com/showcase/#mediaarchive" target="_blank">Video Highlights</a> The Syracuse women's soccer team took part in a different type of training on Monday, Aug. 13 in preparations for its season opener this Sunday at Colgate. The squad and coaching staff spent the afternoon at Orenda Springs in nearby Marcellus, N.Y., working on team-building exercises. "What we're trying to accomplish here is to have our team come together, solve some problems together, get over some fears and work on our teamwork," said head coach Phil Wheddon. The afternoon began with exercises to build trust and set team goals. The team then put its communication skills to the test with a timed challenge that included crossing wires connected to trees without holding on to spotters for support. "We did an exercise today and our leader told us he thought we were going to fail," said freshman Kari Quinn. "We didn't fail. We all found a way to do it." Then it was off to a climbing exercise where the student-athletes worked together to climb trees and walk across wires. The squad hopes to take what it learned in the woods about communication and supporting each other onto the field this season. "Being able to trust (your teammates) and work on leadership – when to step up and when not to say something and let other people be able to step up – applies to every single game, every single practice," said senior Jenna Rickan. "It's so important to build that trust and build relations within a team. Even though it's a high ropes course, it can relate right to soccer." The Orange officially begins the 2012 campaign on Sunday, August 19 at Colgate at 1 p.m.

Syracuse University Athletics

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