1st Place, Sports Feature Story
2022-23, Division 2, News Writing
By Haley Sandberg
The Sailors’ Log
Mona Shores HS
As a Shores alumnus and former Shores hockey player, head coach Chris Benedict says coaching his son, senior Trent Benedict, for the fourth year in a row is like a dream coaching job.
“I think a lot of coaches try to find their ‘dream job,’ Chris said. “(Coaching hockey) at Mona Shores is my dream job. Having the opportunity to not only continue to build the strong history of Shores Hockey but to help mold students into responsible, hard-working young men is not something I take lightly.” Trent, who has played Shores hockey for the past four years, said that having his dad as a coach was a learning experience.
“At first, it was a little weird having my dadas a coach, especially my freshman year, but over time we have figured out a good system to help our bond and overall dynamic,” Trent said.
Separating the role of coach and dad can sometimes be difficult, but Chris said he and Trent developed a good system that works for them.
“When we are at the rink, I am coach, and when we are at home, I am dad,” Chris said. “There is a pretty solid line on that. If he wants to discuss hockey, player to coach, I make him schedule a meeting with me just like I do with any other player.”
Trent said he feels like his and his dad’s system helps out, especially when it comes to his teammates.
“It is definitely weird sometimes because I do get called ‘Coach’s Kid’ a lot, but my dad treats me the same as any other player,” Trent said.
Coaching his son from Trent’s freshman to senior year has come with proud moments from both a dad’s perspective and a coach’s.
“Trent has been fairly successful in his high school years and has made some high-level Michigan High School hockey all-star teams that travel to highly scouted tournaments in Minnesota, “ said Chris, who, along with Trent, has led Shores to three straight conference title. “These are the times I really get to enjoy the dad perspective, where I can truly focus on individual accomplishments. The coaching side is more of a team-oriented perspective. I do not care who scores or how it goes in the net, as long as when the final horn sounds, we have more than our opponents.”
Trent said he shares proud moments with his dad as well.
“He helped coach my team when I was in the lower levels of hockey and those moments will always be special to me,” Trent said.
Being Trent’s senior year and last year playing Shores hockey, it has prompted them both to reminisce about the previous three years and the progress they’ve made.
“Being captain this year is super rewarding, and I am looking forward to seeing where the hockey team goes,” Trent said. “Looking back, it was a really great three years, especially having that time and those memories with my dad.”
For Chris, coaching Trent during his last year of high school has allowed him to reminisce on all the accomplishments Trent has made.
“As a coach and even as a dad, it has been incredible to watch him grow from a freshman to the Captain as a senior,” said Chris, who is not only proud of how Trent has grown on the ice, but also as a person. “I am just beyond proud of the person he has become and it has been a blessing to coach him.”
NW-19. Sports Feature Story
Stories may include personality profile, informative, interpretive (why), and/or human interest features specifically related to sports. Submit a PDF of the print page(s) on which the story was published or the URL to the story on an online news site.
JUDGING CRITERIA
- Lead captures attention, arouses curiosity
- Emphasizes new element,fresh angle
- Colorful, lively presentation; effective form/style
- Descriptive writing demonstrates the concept of “show, don’t tell”
- Reflects adequate research, sound interviewing techniques
- Avoids summaries of published materials
- Effective use of facts/quotes
- Interesting; appeals to the emotions
- Proper diction/grammar