Helen M. Knight Elementary School Principal Taryn Kay has been named the Grand County High School (GCHS) girls soccer coach for the 2018 season. Kay previously spent about eight years as assistant coach and was head coach in 2015 and 2016. She didn’t coach the team in 2017 after former Grand County School District Superintendent Scott Crane directed her not to, she said.
Kay said she loves coaching soccer and working with young women who are learning the game.
In her two previous seasons as head coach, the Lady Red Devils went 6-4 in 2016, losing in the second round of the 2A state playoffs. The Lady Red Devils went 3-7 in 2015, losing in the 2A first round. In 2017, under Christopher Beitner, the Lady Red Devils went 3-8-1, losing in the first round of the 3A playoffs.
Kay said she has a supportive staff at HMK, which enables her to fulfill her desire to coach.
“My job as HMK principal must always come first,” she said. “That is my commitment to the students, parents, staff and community. Sometimes it can be a challenge to do both things well, but the HMK staff is hugely supportive of me and my desire to coach soccer. I work really hard to do both to the best of my ability, but the staff is awesome at picking up the slack if necessary.”
Beginning in July, Kay will have voluntary practices five days a week.
“We will be running open field practices beginning July 9 from 9 to 11 a.m., every day Monday through Friday,” she said. “During that time the players will develop their fitness and spend as much time with the ball at their feet in game-like situations as possible. Additionally, I am encouraging all the girls to be running 1 to 5 miles at least every other day so that conditioning will be in place from the beginning.”
Kay said she is optimistic about the skill level of the team, which will only improve.
“We have a number of very talented returning players, and I am hoping to add several freshmen to the team. Two years ago we made it to the second round of the state playoffs This year we can win that second round game and make it even further. When we do that we will have made it further than any GCHS girls soccer team.”
Kay has been an educator in Moab for more than 20 years. She has been the principal at HMK since 2011. Fall sports schedules have not yet been released, but the 2018-19 school year begins August 17.
Open fields five days a week beginning in July
“My job as HMK principal must always come first. That is my commitment to the students, parents, staff and community. Sometimes it can be a challenge to do both things well, but the HMK staff is hugely supportive of me and my desire to coach soccer. I work really hard to do both to the best of my ability, but the staff is awesome at picking up the slack if necessary.”
