By Chris Bennett
Correspondent
Two long-time area coaches are plying their trade as head coaches on the high school level for the first time this spring.
BZ Kayser is the new coach for the Elkhorn Area High School girls soccer team, and Jon Anzalone is the new man behind the bench for the Elkhorn Area High School baseball team.
Each individual has coached in their respective sport for quite some time, but are trying it out as head coaches in high school for the first time this spring.
Kayser takes over for long-time coach Eryca Card, who said she resigned earlier this spring to spend more time with her family and friends. Anzalone takes over for long-time baseball coach Paul Manriquez, who resigned after last season.
Kayser’s coached the Elkhorn Area High School boys soccer team for several years, but is entering uncharted waters this spring. Kayser admits to never being a head coach for a girls team.
“I think I’m in for coaching soccer,” Kayser said. “I don’t look at it as coaching boys or coaching girls.”
Kayser said in his interview that he said he hoped boys and girls would be taught the same in school, whether in home economics or shop class, and he views soccer in similar fashion.
Under Card the Elks finished 8-13 overall last season, and 3-4 and in a fifth-place tie in the Southern Lakes Conference.
A key returnee for Kayser is midfielder Megan Skoczylas, the reigning SLC Player of the Year. Kayser said numbers are also solid – 55 girls are out for soccer.
The girls start practice on March 23 and play their first game April 9 at non-conference foe Fort Atkinson. Kayser said a lot of evaluation will occur in the interim.
“I truly think the top 10 is easy to figure out, and the bottom 10 is easy to figure out,” Kayser said. “It’s the 35 in the middle.”
Kayser is a Lead Line Technician with the City of Elkhorn Electric Utility. Anzalone is a 25-year veteran of the Elkhorn Police Department, and holds the rank of Captain.
Anzalone previously coached junior varsity baseball at Elkhorn from 1992-1998.
“Since that time, I’ve always been involved in Elkhorn baseball in one way or another,” Anzalone said. “Whether it be the rec department or Elkhorn Extreme Baseball Club, I’ve been coaching since then.”
Anzalone said the time is right in his career for him to move into the varsity head coach role.
“I’ve always been interested in Elkhorn baseball, and I think this is a unique opportunity to try and make a difference,” Anzalone said.
The Elks finished 4-16 overall last season, and 0-12 and in last place in the SLC. Practice this season begins March 23, and the Elks play host to Waterford April 7 in the first game of the season.
Anzalone said he leans toward being a small-ball coach who emphasizes putting the ball in play, and also emphasizes a strong bond between pitcher and catcher.
“I very much believe in fundamentals and foundations,” Anzalone said. “Probable even more important than that is I’m a strong believer in attitude and effort, and that teams are built on core values like selflessness, excellence and energy.”
