8 years ago, Cierra Rice was jumping and running on South’s track as a student. Fast forward to now, she is a coach for the Girls’ varsity track team.

This is Rice’s first year coaching and she said she is very excited about what comes next and would love to be a coach as long as she is in Grosse Pointe.“Coach Zaranek reached out to me and asked if I’d be interested in helping coach the girl’s track team, and I didn’t hesitate to say yes,” Rice said.

Being on track all four years of her high school career, Rice wants to teach positivity, competition, and good energy throughout the season. According to Rice, her time on track has helped her discover her priorities. “I would say priorities are hard work, integrity, and sportsmanship,” Rice said.

According to the Institute of Coaching, Coaching is shown to have a powerful, positive impact on self-confidence, and work performance. “I hope this season to make sure we go out and constantly improve every day,” Rice said. “I hope the girls achieve any goals they set this season.”

Goals are just as important as core values. Having goals helps athletes focus and achieve a set of accomplishments during a particular period in track. Setting goals teaches people how to better focus their time and resources. Referring to the goals will provide motivation when they are lacking motivation or simply want to give up. “My personal goal is to be influential for the girls and for them to be better on and off the track,” Rice said. “I love the girls this season, and I’m excited to get to know them and see how they progress.”