Coach’s Corner: MacDonald-Ciambelli talks strategy, team strengths for upcoming season

When the weather gets cold, Revere High School track athletes head indoors and compete. The Lady Patriots begin their season on Dec. 15 in a Greater Boston League match against Somerville at Reggie Lewis Center in Boston.

The Advocate caught up with third-year Head Coach Racquel MacDonald-Ciambelli for a Q&A as her team gets set to embark on the 2023-2024 winter indoor track season. The coach has been in the program six years total now, including three as an assistant.

  Name: Racquel MacDonald-Ciambelli.

Team: Girls indoor and outdoor track.

Years coaching in this position: Three as head coach, three as assistant.

History of coaching/your own playing days: Revere High School track & field, 2008-2012. Two Revere hurdle school records. Boston College track & field, 2012-2016.

What keeps you coming back each year? Not only do I love the sport so much, but I love helping young athletes fall in love with it as well. I’ve been lucky to have such great girls since I started coaching, and they keep it fun and exciting each year. I love that we share the same goals.

How did tryouts go? How many tried out, and how many are left between the varsity and sub-varsity teams? Tryouts went well. I won’t usually cut people unless they stop coming to practice. JV and varsity athletes are decided each week based on the top times/marks.

What was last year’s record/postseason results? Last year we went 5-2 on the season.

What would you say are the strengths of this year’s team and why? We have a great mix of old and new talent this year. We typically struggle in the distance events, but this year we have a great group of distance girls who should place pretty high throughout the GBL. Our sprinters, hurdlers and jumpers continue to be strong as well.

What are areas for improvement and why? Our throws are definitely where we need to work more, but this also stems from lack of a throws coach. We are the only team in the GBL without a specific throws coach. However, I put a lot of trust in my captains to lead this area, and they have been working hard in the weight room this preseason. I think we will see some huge PRs.

Who are the captains and what do each of them bring? Yasmin Riazi, Giselle Salvador, Camila Echeverri, Angelina Montoya and Yara Belguendouz. They are all excellent student-athletes who really share a passion for the sport and encourage the younger girls to work hard and aim for success.

Any other players to watch – and what can you say about their potential contributions this winter? We’re expecting Liv Young (GBL champ in both high jump and hurdles, and school record holder in the high jump at 5-4) to continue to shine in her events while also adding in the long jump to the mix. On the distance side, Olivia Rupp and Gemma Stamatopolous should make great strides in all events from the 1,000 to the 2-mile. Ashley Rodriguez is also one to watch in the hurdles. Her primary event is the 300-meter and 400-meter hurdles, but I believe she will see success as a 55-meter hurdler as well.

What are the big team goals this winter? Huge PRs and aim for a GBL title.