Spring Fling: Despite loss, Rossview's Danny Chartrand's 16-year wait worth every high, low
The white beard that resides on Danny Chartrand's face may suggest a man slowing down.
But 16 years into this, Chartrand isn't showing any signs of slowing down and with his team having captured the program's first ever state soccer tournament, Chartrand may have been injected with a shot of career adrenaline.
"There were times when you think you'll never make it (to state)," Chartrand said a day before his Hawks faced Brentwood in the first round of the TSSAA Class AAA State Tournament Wednesday in Murfreesboro. "It's like anything, there's highs and lows. You learn to deal with both basically with the same outlook."
Therein lies Chartrand's method of coaching. The Rossview mentor has tried to make a habit of remaining calm among the most stressful situations on the field.
"There is pride at stake and on the line," he said. "You watch your kids work hard to get in the position that they're in and you want to fight for them as well. But if you remain even keel, you're doing them and yourself a big favor."
Rossview's foray into state competition is a career defining moment for Chartrand whose first District 10 tournament title came in 2005, knocking off Clarksville High and ending the Wildcats' 10 straight years of district titles.
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It's one of the many highs that Chartrand remembers about his early teams. Rossview High opened in 2001 but waited a year before starting its soccer program. During that time, the league was ruled by Clarksville High and its former coach Dave Donahue.
"Those were years when we were just trying to catch up to Clarksville," Chartrand said. "And those games with his teams were battles. The intensity level, the desire on both teams to win was impressive."
Not much has changed since. Only twice in the last 15 years has Clarksville and Rossview failed to finish the season either tied atop the district or first and second in district regular season play. And league tournament title often comes down to the two rivals.
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But the last time a 3A school from Clarksville reached a state soccer tournament was 2002 with CHS' state championship appearance.
Rossview's stay in this year's state tournament was short-lived as Brentwood scored four goals in the second half to capture a 4-0 victory to advance Tuesday night as the Hawks finished 16-9.
And as Rossview waits for its chance at a state title, this first hurdle has been conquered.
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"It hurts and it's disappointing," Rossview junior Cameron Carroll said. "But we're proud of what this team has done this year. We were unlucky (Tuesday) but this is, I think, the start of something special with our program, hopefully."
Reach Prep writer George Robinson at georgerobinson@theleafchronicle.com or (931) 245-0747 and on Twitter @Cville_Sports.