Many CFHS athletes using ‘off’ season to sharpen skills

By: Annebeth Ahrenholz

Though many athletes are in the midst of their winter sports seasons, such as basketball, swimming or cheerleading, other athletes are in the middle of training for their next sports.

The numbers aren’t huge, but a select amount of athletes have been using this winter off season not to sit around and enjoy a break, but to put in the work day after day in training for their next sports, including mainly soccer, baseball or track, though some are also just working out to stay in shape and get stronger.

These workouts take place at 6 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for lifting, and also after school on Monday, Wednesday and Saturdays for running.

Students doing these workouts have to stay dedicated and must learn how to manage their time in a smart manner. “Starting this program at first was difficult for me because it is at 6 in the morning, but after a couple weeks it got easier and now it is just a part of my weekly schedule. Everyone who does these workouts including me do them because we want to get better and succeed this track season. We have some pretty big goals that we want to accomplish, and this program helps us do that. (Track coach Dirk) Homewood is a great motivator, which makes us want to keep working hard and be the best we can be,” junior Larissa Haan said.

None of these workouts are mandatory, and the running workouts especially are only suggested, but students are excited to take these opportunities to make themselves better for their next sports. “We do these workouts as a team because we know that the work we put in now will turn into success later in the season,” junior Andrew Hager said.

“I enjoy going to workouts because I am excited to enter this soccer season in the best shape as I can. I would like this soccer season to be successful for the whole team, and I would like to play a part in their success. I think our team has potential to be something special, and I will try to help in any way I can,” junior Conrad Nichols.

Homewood along with football coach Brad Remmert and coach Will Carter supervise the weight room in the mornings. There are some lifting sessions after school on Mondays and Wednesdays as well as the morning sessions on those days, and they also do some running workouts on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Also, some of the distance runners lift in the weight room on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 a.m. These lifts are supervised by women’s track coach Kara Hulse.

Many of those participating have their own running workouts according to which sport they are prepping to do. There are a lot of committed CFHS athletes, all ready to be competitive and be the best they can be when it comes time for their sports this spring.