A new whistle blows at Perry Meridian this fall as the introduction of Coach Justin VanHorn opens a new chapter for the boys’ soccer program. VanHorn takes over the reins of the long-time head coach, Machy Magdalinos. A decade of experience, combined with a passion for connecting with his players, may explain the turnout of over 100 kids at tryouts, seemingly eager to play for this coach.
After 11 years at division rival Whiteland, piecing together several impressive seasons, VanHorn prided himself on his relationships with his players. Bringing this pride up north has not been a struggle for him; forming connections with his players over the summer workouts was one of his main goals. One of them is a four-year soccer player, Oliver Crain. “Over the summer, Coach [VanHorn] and I texted back and forth about the team and how to recreate our success and even improve for this year,” Crain said, “He’s a super easy guy to talk to and is always open with me and the other guys.” Solidifying this by immediately making the statement that he wants to reach a state championship with a team off the bat.
On the road to the championship, VanHorn crosses paths with a familiar face, Whiteland. In his homecoming game on September 18, the emotions won’t fade when facing off against his former peers. “That’ll be a big game for me for sure, emotionally speaking,” VanHorn said, “I have love for a bunch of those guys.”
VanHorn, daytime science teacher, brings an analytical view to the field. “I tend to focus on the small details more than the big picture at times,” VanHorn said. This mindset will help navigate the largest tryout group he has ever had, with over 100 students showing up and evaluations will take some time. Despite all the chaos, VanHorn is excited about the Falcons. “The talent here is phenomenal,” VanHorn said. “Perry was always a team we had to bring our best against. I’m pumped to finally be a part of it.”
After Magdalinos’ long term as coach, VanHorn is prepared to take his spot, “Mags and I have a great relationship. We coached against each other for a long time. We actually met before I applied to the job and talked through a lot of things to make sure it was a good fit,” VanHorn said. Taking the time to reach out to the previous coach and confirm the role is a good fit shows true dedication to the team and the sport. Having the endorsement of the previous coach can also give a strong impression on the players, who have played for Magdalinos as they transition to the new coach.
VanHorn seems ready to come into a team that has a lot of competition, spending 11 years as a head coach to a rival team. This experience may have equipped him to find the holes in the Perry team and bring a new perspective to the team.
