Geneseo teams work with a performance and development expert for personal and competitive growth.

By Kris Dreessen

 

Captain McKenna Kelly ’24 helped lead the 2022 women’s field hockey team to a 15-4 season, drawing on the determination, skills and insight gained by working with a leadership and performance strategist.

The womens’ field hockey, volleyball and lacrosse teams have worked with Sarah Derrenbacher, founder of Evolvability, to improve individual student-athlete development and enhance team culture and performance zones. The teams also improve their active listening and learn to have constructive, difficult conversations. Derrenbacher also works with coaching staff.

“Working with Sarah made a huge impact for our student-athletes in regard to increasing individual performance, introducing the flow state, and building confidence,” says field hockey Head Coach Margaret McConnell. “She was also helpful in the professional growth of our coaching staff.”

Here, Kelly demonstrates what it’s like to be in a flow state — achieved when athletes feel completely engaged in their performance, lose their perception of time, concentrate on the moment, and perform at extremely high levels.