Carly Gaspari
Staff Writer
Mira Costa has decided to hire new coaches in order to adapt to the school’s growing athletic program. These new additions include girls’ basketball coach John Lapham, cheer coach Monica Bloodgood. Math teacher Courtney Bannerman will also be serving as the new swim coach.
“Some of the coaches decided not to return this year and others left due to other commitments,” Vice Principal Jaime Mancilla said.
Lapham, now the head varsity girl’s basketball coach, has been involved in basketball for the majority of his life as both a coach and a player. Previously the JV coach, Lapham was given the opportunity to move up as the Varsity coach.
“When I learned of the opening for a JV coach two years ago, I contacted the incoming varsity coach, Miranda Biteler, and was fortunate enough to get the position,” Lapham said. “After two years of coaching JV, I was very interested in staying with the program.”
After ending the season as co-Bay League champions, the team claims to have high hopes for the upcoming season. Although the team has lost multiple important seniors this past year, Lapham is prepared to work hard and is hopeful for the girls’ success.
“It’s terribly difficult to predict wins and losses, but with the heart and hard work our players will bring, I think we will have a chance to win a lot of games,” Lapham said. “We will play fast, we will be fun to watch, and no team will play harder than we do. I hope everyone comes out to see us.”
Bloodgood, currently an english teacher at Manhattan Beach Middle School, has been training cheerleaders and coaches for many years. When the position became available, Bloodgood was ecstatic to be able to take over.
“Taking over such a large program is a little overwhelming and quite time consuming, however, I have much experience in which I can fall back on plus a great love for the sport,” Bloodgood said. “I hope to bring enthusiasm, knowledge, spirit, and motivation to the program.”
The cheer team has been practicing diligently over the summer and Bloodgood feels that their hard work is truly paying off. She is excited for their continued growth and achievements in the upcoming school year.
“Now that the systems are in place and our athletes have undergone months of proper training, the program is running in full force,” Bloodgood said. “The girls are technically skilled to achieve high performance levels. They have worked very hard and it definitely shows.”
Bannerman attended Mira Costa from 2000 to 2004 and swam on the swim team all four years and currently serves as a Costa teacher. As the previous swim coach resigned, Bannerman was offered the job as JV swim coach.
“It’s been a little bit of an adjustment for me and for the kids just because this is my first year coaching here,” Bannerman said.
Bannerman plans to take her previous experience as a swimmer to use to her advantage for the team. She claims to look forward to watching everyone grow.
“I love seeing the swimmers improve,” Bannerman said. “A lot of times they’ll come to me without a whole lot of swimming experience and they just improve immensely.”
The coaches feel that the alteration in instruction will provide different opportunities and new possibilities for Costa’s teams. All are looking forward to the prospect of their teams’ successes and improvements over the course of the school year.
“We will monitor the new coaches and do our best to support them so they will be successful,” Mancilla said. “Returning students will have to adapt to new coaches and their style, but that’s part of athletics.”
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