Editor’s Note: This story is a part of Peak, The Athletic’s new desk covering leadership, personal development and success through the lens of sports. Peak aims to connect readers to ideas they can implement in their own personal and professional lives. Follow Peak here.

More than anyone, professional athletes have been exposed to a wide range of leadership and coaching styles. When they leave professional sports behind and start coaching young athletes, they have plenty of experience to draw from.

We checked in with three former professional athletes who now coach youth sports to gather their advice for other coaches and parents.

Remember why you’re there

Drew Stanton was an NFL quarterback for 14 seasons and now coaches his son’s football and baseball teams, as well as helping run a youth football organization.

He said he’s noticed that kids are harder on themselves now than they were when he was a young athlete.

As youth sports become increasingly intense, he often reminds kids why they’re playing in the first place.

“We just become so wrapped up in the results of it as opposed to, ‘What is the intentionality behind what you’re trying to do?’ ” Stanton said. “Control the controllables. You get wrapped up in somebody else’s success, or you start comparing yourself, and you start to rob these children of their childhood because we’ve become hyper-focused on making them professionals at such a young age.

“I think the ability to teach life lessons through sports has always been my approach.”

He encourages his athletes to focus on setting their own goals and acknowledge that mistakes are learning opportunities.

“We have to stick to the process,” he said. “Sitting there and yelling or trying to break them down to build them back up, that doesn’t need to happen. These kids already break themselves down enough, or they look to social media to gain their understanding or worth from how many likes they get.”

Travis Snider, a former MLB outfielder, now leads a youth sports company that offers resources and education for parents and coaches. It’s essential, he said, that adults remind athletes that failure isn’t a bad thing.

“We’re trying to teach kids more skills, but with that understanding of where they’re at emotionally and physically,” he said. “These are just experiences that give us an opportunity to learn and grow, and oftentimes failure is a much better vehicle to learn these lessons and grow and become a better version of yourself.”

Know what you value as a coach

Matt Hasselbeck spent 18 seasons as a quarterback in the NFL. He spent one season playing for Pete Carroll, someone he viewed as completely authentic. It’s what he admired about Carroll. But now, after coaching high school football, he realizes just how important it is to find your own identity.

“Put in some speed bumps for yourself,” Hasselbeck said. “Maybe even write some stuff down. Like, here are some non-negotiables — who I am as a coach.”

Hasselbeck, who has non-negotiables like no cursing and putting health and safety above all else, has picked up a few examples. When his son, Henry, played for former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer, Dilfer had a rule that no one was allowed to sit at a new table during a meal unless all the other tables were full.

“So if you just picture there’s 10 seats at a table, it’s not a table of four, then somebody else starts a table of 10,” he said. “No. Every table has to be full before you can start another table. That’s just community. No one gets left out. No one’s not valuable. No one doesn’t have friends.”

Understand who your players are as people

One year, when Hasselbeck coached high school football, a lot of “mental mistakes” happened along the offensive line, he said. When Hasselbeck approached his offensive line coach and suggested they simplify a few things, the coach, who was also a math teacher at the school, replied, “No. No, that’s not the issue. This is one of the smartest kids I teach. He’s capable. This is just a teenage boy having a focus problem.”

That’s when Hasselbeck began to understand the strong link between learning the little things about his athletes and improving their play.

“Like, ‘Hey, we know this guy struggles learning. Let’s make his menu a little smaller so he can do less better. It’ll help him succeed. He’s got enough on his plate,’ ” Hasselbeck said. “I think just doing less is better.”

To him, even small things, like knowing what someone’s commute from home or family structure looks like, can make a significant difference.

Being uncomfortable can be a good thing

Stanton feels strongly about the lessons we can learn from sports, including trust, respect, and effective communication. But to him, embracing adversity is one of the most important lessons he wants to pass along to his athletes.

“I’m telling the kids, ‘I want you to be comfortable when it’s uncomfortable,’” he said. “Because we’re all in different situations. If you can learn to deal with adversity, if you can learn to deal with all these other things and be able to find a way to persevere, that’s how you grow. Eventually, you’re going to find something or somebody that’s better than you. And what do you do? How do you respond?”

To Stanton, it can be as simple as changing the way you speak to an athlete when they make a mistake. Encouraging them, rather than reprimanding them, can help a young athlete develop a better outlook over time.

Be mindful as a parent

Youth sports require more specialized training, travel, and equipment than ever before. Snider said parents and coaches can’t let the time and money they invest in young athletes turn into added pressure.

“It’s tough to differentiate your child and their experience in sports versus the time, money and energy that you’re investing in and what that return on investment looks like,” he said. “We built a culture that is geared towards performance and achievement. But your failure and success are not going to define who you are.”

Snider believes that if parents and coaches can work on themselves and gain a deeper understanding of how their experiences influence their responses, it can be the difference between a positive experience for a young athlete and a negative one, which is particularly important at such an impressionable age.

“We don’t recognize how our past experiences show up in those moments when our son or daughter strikes out or misses the kick and how that perpetuates something inside of us that we haven’t processed or we weren’t aware of,” Snider said. “We’re a product of our childhood and what that generation of parents and coaches did and did not do during that experience. What can we do? It’s making child development a priority.”

Elise Devlin is a writer for Peak, The Athletic’s new desk covering leadership, personal development and success. She last wrote about how to deal with failure. Follow Peak here.

(Illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; Photos: Nick Cammett / Diamond Images, Rex Brown / Getty Images)

CLOVIS, Calif. (AP) — California’s high school track-and-field state finals will award one extra medal Saturday in events where a transgender athlete places in the top three, a rule change that may be the first of its kind nationally by a high school sports governing body.

The new California Interscholastic Federation policy was written in response to the success of high school junior AB Hernandez, a trans student who competes in the girls high jump, long jump and triple jump. She led in all three events after preliminaries Friday. The CIF said earlier this week it would let an additional student compete and medal in the events where Hernandez qualified.

The two-day championship kicked off in the sweltering heat at high school near Fresno. The atmosphere was relatively quiet Friday despite critics — including parents, conservative activists and President Donald Trump — calling for Hernandez to be barred from girls competition leading up to the meet.

There was some pushback Friday. A group of fewer than 10 people gathered outside the stadium ahead of the meet to protest Hernandez’s participation. Some of them wore “Save Girls’ Sports” T-shirts. At one point as Hernandez was attempting a high jump, someone in the stands yelled an insult. An aircraft circled above the stadium for more than an hour during the events, carrying a banner that read, “No Boys in Girls’ Sports!”

The rest of the night ran smoothly for Hernandez, who finished the triple jump with a mark close to 41 feet (13 meters), nearly 10 inches (25 centimeters) ahead of her closest competitor, San Francisco Bay Area junior Kira Gant Hatcher.

Hernandez also led in the long jump with a mark close to 20 feet (6 meters) to advance to the final. She advanced in the high jump, clearing 5 feet, 5 inches (1.7 meters) with ease.

She did not address the press.

California at center of national debate

The CIF rule change reflects efforts to find a middle ground in the debate over trans girls’ participation in youth sports.

“The CIF values all of our student-athletes and we will continue to uphold our mission of providing students with the opportunity to belong, connect, and compete while complying with California law,” the group said in a statement after announcing its rule change.

A recent AP-NORC poll found that about 7 in 10 U.S. adults think transgender female athletes should not be allowed to participate in girls and women’s sports at the high school, college or professional level. That view was shared by about 9 in 10 Republicans and roughly half of Democrats.

The federation announced the rule change after Trump threatened this week to pull federal funding from California unless it bars trans female athletes from competing on girls teams. The CIF said it decided on the change before then.

The U.S. Department of Justice also said it would investigate the state federation and the district that includes Hernandez’s high school to determine whether they violated federal sex discrimination law by allowing trans girls to compete in girls sports.

Some California Republicans also weighed in, with several state lawmakers attending a news conference to criticize the federation for keeping Hernandez in the competition and a Republican gubernatorial candidate planning to attend Saturday’s finals.

California law allows trans students to compete on sex-segregated sports teams consistent with their gender identity.

The federation said the rule would open the field to more “biological female” athletes. One expert said the change may itself be discriminatory because it creates an extra spot for “biological female” athletes but not for other trans athletes.

The federation did not specify how they define “biological female” or how they would verify whether a competitor meets that definition.

Hernandez told the publication Capital & Main earlier this month that she couldn’t worry about critics.

“I’m still a child, you’re an adult, and for you to act like a child shows how you are as a person,” she said.

Another student breaks a record

California’s state championship stands out from that of other states because of the number of competitors athletes are up against to qualify. The state had the second-largest number of students participating in outdoor track and field in the nation during the 2023-2024 school year, behind Texas, according to a survey by the National Federation of State High School Associations.

Olympians Marion Jones and Tara Davis-Woodhall previously set state championship records in the long jump in 1993 and 2017, respectively, both surpassing 22 feet (6.7 meters).

The boys 100-meter dash heats were also a highlight Friday. Junior Jaden Jefferson of De La Salle High School in Concord finished in 10.01 seconds, about .2 seconds faster than a meet record set in 2023. Jefferson’s time won’t count as a record unless he can replicate his results in the final.

Austin is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Austin on X: @sophieadanna

Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Maid Silvia LXXXVII

ELKINS — Moorefield resident Miss Sterling Anne Kump has been selected as Maid Silvia for the 87th Mountain State Forest Festival by Director General Lisa Shaffer. 

The selection of Maid Silvia has been kept confidential for months. Miss Kump will visit Elkins on Sunday to attend a private reception in her honor, sponsored by Graceland Inn and Davis & Elkins College Dining Services.

“From the moment I met Sterling, I knew that she was the young lady that I wanted to fulfill the role of Maid Silvia LXXXVII,” Shaffer said.  “I saw in her the heart, poise and spirit of a Maid Silvia.

“She carries herself with a quiet confidence and a sincere love for the Festival and community — qualities that instantly stood out and captured everything I was hoping to find.   I have no doubt that she will represent the Mountain State Forest Festival with grace, gratitude, and genuine pride in this long-standing tradition.”

Kump, 19, is the daughter of Will and Amy Kump of Moorefield. She is the granddaughter of Kerr and Susie Kump of Elkins and Dennis and Tonie Peterson of Marshfield, Wisconsin. She is the great-great-granddaughter of former Governor Herman Guy Kump, 19th Governor of West Virginia, 1933 to 1937. She is also the great-granddaughter of Cyrus S. Kump, former Director General of the Mountain State Forest Festival in 1933, 1950, and 1951, and one of three organizers of the West Virginia Highlanders. Sterling has two brothers, Cyrus and Reid, and one sister, Caroline.

The future Queen Silvia is a 2023 graduate of Moorefield High School, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude, was a member of the National Honor Society, and a student council representative. Sterling was a recipient of the Hardy County Community Foundation 2023 Bob & Betty Wilson Family Scholarship, 2023 Moorefield High School Scholarship, and 2023 Promise Scholarship.

She was selected as the 2023 Moorefield High School Outstanding Athlete of the Year receiving the M.A. Bean Award for leadership in academics and athletics. Her other honors and awards include the 2023 Moorefield High School Outstanding Senior Female Athlete, Moorefield High School Outstanding Senior Volleyball, Basketball and Softball Athlete, 2022-2023 Team Captain in Varsity Volleyball, Basketball and Softball, 2022 Potomac Valley Conference Volleyball Player of the Year, 2022-2023 Senior Representative for the Chick-Fil-A Athletic/Academic Conference, 2022 Class A 1st Team All State Volleyball Team and All-Tournament Team and the 2023 Potomac Valley Conference 1st Team Basketball and Softball. Sterling was also a letter winner in varsity volleyball, basketball, and softball, and volunteered in several capacities for various Moorefield Youth Sports.

In the fall, Sterling will be a junior at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky, where she is a member of the University of Kentucky Beta Chi Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority, the UK Christian Student Fellowship, UK Invests, the Pre-Medical Women’s Society, and the MediKids service organization for pre-healthcare students. Sterling was a participant in the UK DanceBlue 24-hour dance marathon, a student organization that fundraises year-round for the Golden Matrix Fund, which supports children and families in the pediatric hematology/oncology clinic at UK’s hospital. Last year, DanceBlue raised over $2.12 million for the kids.

Maid Silvia Sterling’s future plans are to attend graduate school and pursue a career as a healthcare professional. She is the first Maid Silvia to represent Hardy County and the beautiful town of Moorefield.

Maid Silvia Sterling’s mother, Amy Peterson Kump, was a Flower Girl in 1984; her aunt, Ann Kump Lewis, was a Flower Girl in 1985 and a Princess in 1997; and her aunt, Elizabeth Kump Conlan, was a Maid of Honor in 1998; and her grandmother, Susie Kump, was Director of the Queen’s Department in 1990 and 1991, and Co-Founder and President of the Maple Leaf Society.

In her spare time, Sterling likes spending time with family and friends, and going to the beach and lake. In Lexington, she enjoys attending SEC sporting events, community service activities with her sorority sisters, going to the horse races at Keeneland Racetrack, participating in exercise and fitness classes, and shopping.

Kump will be crowned as Queen of the 87th Mountain State Forest Festival during the Royal Coronation at 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3, at the Citizens Bank of WV Outdoor Amphitheatre located on the campus of Davis & Elkins College. Attended by 40 Princesses from around the state, two Maids of Honor, and a Minor Court, she will receive her crown in an elaborate outdoor ceremony.

The 87th edition of the Mountain State Forest Festival with the theme “Embrace Nature’s Charm” will take place from Saturday, Sept. 27 through Sunday, Oct. 5. More information is available by visiting festival social media, www.forestfestival.com,

The Mounties never took the bait. It did not matter that so many decorated seniors graduated last June. It did not matter that only one senior returned. It did not matter that the schedule was among the district’s most demanding.

The future was now. And now South is a district champion.

South built on its program’s stellar tradition and captured the District 4 Class AA championship last Tuesday, defeating Montgomery, 8-6. The Mounties (12-10) reclaimed gold after taking silver the past two seasons and reached the state tournament for a fourth straight year. There, they will host District 3 champion Camp Hill Monday afternoon.

“They’re resilient. It’s a resilient bunch of guys. I can believe it, but I’m at a loss for words trying to wrap my head around it,” first year coach Chase Waller said following the thrilling final which featured two lead changes over the final 2 ½ innings. “These guys have been working their butts off since October. A lot of them are playing multiple sports, but they find ways to come over and work and it’s pay dividends. I’m so proud of them.”

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent
South Williamsport’s Jaymes Carpenter is safe at home as Montgomery catcher Lincoln Miller is late with the tag on a Cole Gerber single in the fourth inning.

South was the last team to reach the district playoff field, but no one there could knock it out once in. A squad which was one strike from not making the playoffs, rallied for a dramatic 9-7, nine inning win at North Penn-Mansfield to earn its chance and then cashed in big-time.

The Mounties outlasted heavily favored, top-seeded Southern Columbia in the opening round, winning, 7-4 in eight innings. They then rallied from a run down against Montgomery, going up five and holding off a furious comeback, while defeating the field’s No. 2 team.

After two years of frustration and losing at Bowman Field in the final, South earned those coveted medals, giving the program its fourth title banner in seven seasons. These Mounties may be young, but the kids sure can play.

“We have a ton of grit,” freshman pitcher Cole Gerber said after earning the win against Montgomery and adding an RBI single. “We just know we can do it.”

“It’s crazy. I really wanted it because the last two years we lost, but this year we felt good,” third baseman Marc Molina said after going 2 for 4 with two RBIs. “I knew we had a good chance.”

Early this season, though, the chances did not look so promising. Following a season-opening win against Class A finalist St. John Neumann, the Mounties dropped six of their next nine games and were sitting at 4-6 halfway through the campaign while staring at a run of tough upcoming opponents.

Still, South never wavered it won its next four games to put itself back into the playoff hunt. Entering the regular season finale, the Mounties were 9-10 and needed a win against 14-win North Penn-Mansfield but fell behind 5-2 in the fifth inning. They were still down a run with two outs and two strikes in the seventh when Gerber smashed a game-tying RBI double.

Two innings later, freshman Jax Miller dropped a perfect RBI bunt to break the tie and Chance Quimby closed out the 9-7 win, capping his stellar relief outing. South was in and Gerber dominated in his playoff debut, throwing seven scoreless innings against a potent Southern Columbia team fresh off a win against two-time defending District 4 Class AAA champion Mount Carmel.

Molina then broke a scoreless tie with a clutch, two-out, two-strike, two-run single. That opened the floodgates and South scored seven two-out runs before fighting off a Southern rally and winning, 7-4.

So, when Montgomery turned a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 lead entering the sixth Tuesday night, South did not flinch.

“We knew it wasn’t anything we couldn’t come back from,” Molina said. “We’ve been down before.”

Torin Haug ignited the rally with a lead-off single, freshman Cade Lusk tied it with an RBI single and South again erupted two two outs, scoring five times and building an 8-3 lead. Trace Wertz drew a go-ahead RBI walk, Jaymes Carpenter belted a two-run triple and Molina an RBI double as South’s Comeback Kids worked their magic again.

Still, South had to fight off Montgomery’s own tenacious players. The Red Raiders, who also play Monday in states against Mount Union, scored three times and put the tying runners on the corners with two outs.

It seems the higher the pressure, however, the better the Mounties play. That proved true again as freshman reliever Kamdyn Bubb produced a game-ending strikeout. Just like that, a team which seemed poised for an exciting future made the present become pretty special.

“I told the guys that district championships don’t come easy by any means. You have to have a lot of things go your way just to be playing in a district championship, let alone win it,” Waller said. “It takes a lot of hard work and countless hours and these guys put it in.”

Tadd Lusk helped lead the way. While his teammates knew they had more baseball coming next year and beyond, this was his last chance. Together, the Mounties made sure they seized the moment and what a moment they created last Tuesday.

And yet, this team remains unsatisfied. South already has defied the odds and captured district gold so why not go after the biggest prize out there? That is the mindset as states beckon.

Camp Hill represents the latest stern challenge in a season filled with them. Call South underdog if you like, but also call it a district champion who refuses to look toward the future until it has exhausted everything it can from this current season.

“I told them that we’re not done yet. We still have states and we’re playing good ball at the right time and are understanding how intense playoff baseball is and how every play matters,” Waller said. “We set up that schedule to be prepared for playoff baseball. We’ve seen good competition all year and that’s helped make us better suited for when playoffs came around and I think you’re seeing that.”

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