Summer conditioning continues

By Donnie A. Lucas

Summer conditioning programs for both boys and girls entering grades 7-12 are well underway at the high school campus.

Head football coach Denney Faith said that about 25 to 30 boys have been attending during the last three weeks, while girls coach M.J. Reneau reported an average of 25 girls attending the sessions for Lady Lions.

The boys are meeting at 7:00 a.m., followed by the girls at 8:00 a.m.

Schools are allowed to offer conditioning, strength, and agility training during the summer to help students planning to participate in any and all sports during the school.

Sport-specific training is allowed on a limited basis, but only Reneau is offering volleyball training this summer with the only remaining session planned for July 24. There will also be “open gym” time for volleyball on July 25 from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Prospective female athletes who want to get in shape have just one two-day session on July 25-26 remaining, due to conflicts during the first three weeks of July.

“There are girls who have conflicts with other camps and things, so we will not meet in July until the last Thursday and Friday,” said girls head basketball coach Tate Thompson.

The boys, on the other hand, will continue to work Monday through Thursday through July 25.

“We have had a consistent group of guys coming to morning workouts so far,” Faith said. “We have been lifting, working on agility drills, and doing some conditioning exercises.”

The girls’ sessions are supervised by Thompson, along with Reneau and Ginger Norton.

The program is open to any student who will be entering grades 7-12 in the fall.

The coaches stressed that the conditioning program is for all athletes regardless of the sport they plan to participate in.

“This isn’t just for football or volleyball players,” Faith said. “Everyone is welcome.”

The workouts can only focus on overall conditioning, agility, and strength training, not skills specific to any particular sport.

Students will also be able to use the school’s weight room during the rest of the summer. 

“The weight room will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays throughout the summer,” athletic director Ryder Peacock said.

Faith said that most students took advantage of free physical exams during the last week of school. However, students not undergoing a physical exam at the school on the last day of classes will have to have one completed at their own expense prior to the first day of workouts.

Two-a-day workouts for high school volleyball will begin on Thursday, Aug. 1, while football workouts are set for Monday, Aug. 5.

“Athletes need to bring a completed physical form to us at the field house during the summer, or they can bring it the first morning of two-a-days,” Faith said. “We can’t allow anyone to work out unless they have their physical completed, along with having all the required forms signed.”

Athletes should receive a letter later in June with the necessary forms, or they can be obtained at the school from one of the coaches.

Girls planning to participate in volleyball will also be required to have a physical and paperwork completed prior to the first practice.