Interview Of The Week – Cape Henlopen’s P.J. Kesmodel
One of the best on-going dynasties on Delmarva can be found at Cape Henlopen High School and the girls lacrosse program. Our Interview of the Week is the Vikings head coach, P.J. Kesmodel.
Pencek: During this run of consecutive championships, several graduating classes have contributed to this success. Is there one common characteristic that you can say is a big reason why Cape wins titles?
Kesmodel: Common theme is commitment, dedication and hard work.
Pencek: How many years have you been coaching at Cape?
Kesmodel: I was a volunteer assistant in 2006, a paid assistant in 2007 and have been the head coach since 2008.
Pencek: How challenging is it with the expectations to continue this title run?
Kesmodel: Very challenging for me, but probably more pressure on our seniors each year. I hear the same refrain each year from them – we don’t want to be the first class to lose. This also tends to be a big motivator that gets them to work very hard in the off season to make sure we do win.
I also try to deflect as much pressure as possible off the team and put it on me if possible. We rarely talk about the streaks (84 straight wins in Delaware competition and 7 straight state championships) or keeping it going.
Pencek: Are there things you do to keep the team in check and not have them get overconfident?
Kesmodel: Nothing special, except constant reminders that we have a target on our backs and we are every team in the area’s big game. We can never let down. Plus we have always had a bunch of highly competitive players who hate to lose.
Pencek: Can you talk about any development programs at Cape that contributes to the high school team?
Kesmodel: Two of the keys to our success is that all of our varsity and many on the JV now play club lacrosse. (this is something that is the case with virtually any top team in metropolitan Baltimore, DC or Philadelphia)
When I came to Cape we had two club players who had to travel to the western shore to practice (Annapolis area) and play.
I helped found a local club team, the Eastern Shore Lacrosse Club (easternshorelax.org) that now has five teams (from graduation years 2017 to 2021). This is the club where all Cape players play. This club has annual try-outs and has players from all over the southern half of Delmarva.
The second big thing we do that differentiates us from most other teams in the area is we have an off-season work-out arrangement with a local gym. Almost all our players who are not participating in a winter sport work-out at the BodyShop Fitness Center in downtown Rehoboth Beach (a block from the boardwalk).
Pencek: Can you tell us about your background?
Kesmodel: I’m a Johns Hopkins graduate, class of 1967, where I played lacrosse for a year before injuring my knee. I also have a Masters degree from Penn State where I helped coach the men’s team in 1970 while I was a student there.
I worked in the Howard County Maryland School System (all at Mt Hebron HS) for 32 years as a high school guidance counselor and college advisor.
I was also an age group swimming coach for 25 years in my younger years. I coached my 1st swim team at age 16 in 1959.
I coached an intercity (Baltimore) high school girls team from 1997 to 2000.
Pencek: Outside of coaching lacrosse what are something interesting things about you?
Kesmodel: Swam across Chesapeake Bay in 1961. Generally a very boring old bachelor who retired to and lives in Rehoboth Beach.
