WHS kids hoping to get 'prepared' for sports through summer program
By BARRY HALVORSON bhalvorson@journal-spectator.com

Staff photo by Barry Halvorson Pumping arms and legs to strengthen various muscle groups, Wharton High football player Willie Ephran works his way down the field while softball and track athlete Judith Sanchez studies his form before making her own trip.

Swifter. Higher. Stronger.

Those words make up the Olympic Motto and with the start of the 2008 Summer Games less than two months away, it's only fitting that better than a handful of Wharton High's student athletes are doing what they can to make those words their own.

One of the first actions taken by new WISD Athletic Director Stacey Hunt was to start a summer workout program for students from incoming freshmen to the 12th grade students already at the school.

Among those immediately on the bandwagon were senior Cameron Greene and sophomore Chris Curlee. Greene said he was motivated by both individual and team goals.

"I want to be better prepared," he said. "This is going to be my last season and I'm looking forward to a winning season and making all-district. By being in better shape, I'll be able to play better."

Curlee was also excited about the upcoming football season, saying he plans on fighting for a spot on the varsity roster by getting a head start on the competition.

"This will give me an advantage not only on our opponents, but also on my teammates," he said. "While I'd prefer everyone be out here because that's better for the team, I'll take advantage of every edge I can get on the field."

In a letter sent to parents detailing the program, Hunt stressed the workouts are designed for general conditioning and strength and not football or any other sport specific.

"This addresses a lot of issues, most of them health related," Hunt said. "When students are in better shape, they are at less risk of injury or heat related problems. And if they are in better shape at the start of the school year, the coaches can spend less time working on conditioning and more time on teaching the skills the student-athletes need to excel in their chosen activity."

Hunt said that he was surprised when informed the district had not previously offered a summer program to the students. The schedule for the program he installed started with the first week of June and runs through July 24. That will give the students a little over a week's break before the fall sports teams report starting Aug. 4.

The sessions include one hour of condition and fitness drills followed by one hour of weight training and are offered twice a day, from 8-10 a.m. and 6-8 p.m. Students are allowed by UIL rules to attend one of the sessions, but not both.

Hunt said that while limited, the two hours are better than nothing, which is what the parents of the current crop of athletes were allowed.

"Years ago there was no contact allowed and this is a much improved system," he said. "To have kids in the weight room unsupervised is just asking for problems. Now, we can have a coach present and make sure the students are doing things the proper way and following safety rules. With weights in particular, you can do more harm than good if you aren't using proper technique."

Hunt admitted to being disappointed with a opening week turnout of about 30 students compared to his own estimate of more than 300 in the combined girls and boys programs.

"But that first week you're going to have families going on vacations and a lot of the kids just want a week off," he said. "We're hoping the numbers build over the next six weeks until we have most of our athletes participating."

Hunt added the coaches are taking roll at the start of each session.

"The UIL does allow us to document participation," he said. "And while not being here doesn't count against an athlete, the kids in better shape at the end of the summer will have a definite advantage. If you have one athlete who runs out of gas after a half-hour and another after an hourand a-half, the one lasting longer is going to be doing more to impress the coaches."

In an effort to build up participation, Hunt said he's hoping the juniors and seniors will step up into leadership roles by offering rides to those students that don't have one available.

"For some of our kids, it's hard to get to the field," the coach said. "But if the other students are willing to volunteer to offer rides that will help make our teams that much more together. And if there are parents or boosters out there willing to help out, I'd appreciate their calling me at the field house so something can be arranged. Unfortunately, one of the things the coaches can't do is provide transportation."