Wilmer Barerra – Girls’ Soccer
Wilmer Barrera has joined Creek’s girls’ soccer team as the new head coach after being the head coach of the boys’ soccer team. Coming off a boys’ state championship win, he looks to bring the success he had with the boys’ team to the girls’ this spring.
“[The coaching difference between girls and boys is that] each program has quality, and I’m very excited to coach both,” Barrera said.
Barerra learned there’s still room for improvement, even with his prior experience. “I’m learning from them and they’re helping me be a better coach,” he said.
The connection between Barrera and his players runs on a personal level, which helps bring the team together. “He has two daughters, and he treats us like them, and he just loves us so much,” senior winger Olivia Luttrell said.
Andy Zurcher – Girls’ Tennis
Girls’ tennis’ new head coach Andy Zurcher stepped into a role that last year saw only one meet loss and a second-place finish at state. Zurcher, in his new role, has been able to keep the winning nature of girls’ tennis, bringing them up to the first place in the state.
“I’m trying to uphold the incredible tradition that is Cherry Creek tennis, [which is] maybe one of the best tennis programs, not only in Colorado but in the nation,” Zurcher said.
Zurcher’s experience is helping him lead the girls’ tennis team. “I coached at the University of Notre Dame for a couple of years as an assistant coach, and so I’ve seen tennis and played tennis at the highest level,” Zurcher said.
For players, Zurcher’s experience and skills have proved useful. “Zurcher is like the light of my life,” senior Zoey Hao said. “He’s super encouraging. He makes us want to play tennis.”
John Swartz – Track & Field
John Swartz, the new track & field coach, came into a position and a team that had never won a state championship. But instead of letting the past change his attitude, he has aimed to build new strengths for the team.
“I want to establish some different protocols and procedures, and [also] let my coaches do what they’re good at and that’s coaching track and field,” Swartz said.
Swartz has also aimed to improve the team on a more personal level by making sure he connected well with each player. “[I want] to know those kids and make sure that I know their names and what events they do and to cheer them on,” he said.
Players have appreciated his impact on the team as well. “He created a better environment for athletes this year and overall helped us,” senior Wachemo Mindlin-Leitner said.
Marc Rey – Boys’ Volleyball
Marc Rey is starting to head up the boys’ volleyball team, which hasn’t made a state championship game in five years. But stepping into his new role, Rey looks to change the pattern.
For Rey, the main goal coming into the team was starting the season off right, using his strategies and skills to set up a positive reaction.
“[I wanted to] set up my culture and expectations from day one, knowing that this process does not happen overnight,” he said.
Like the other new coaches, Rey also wanted to bond closely with his new team, something he knew would help the students play well. “Developing personal relationships, communicating openly and honestly, makes the team go a long way,” Rey said.
Rey’s bond with the team has helped the players as well. “He helps you out with staying out of our heads and playing as a team instead of individual players,” senior Noah Renyolds said.
