Sports conditioning behind creating better, faster, and stronger athletes

Many winter sports are well beyond the starting line, yet already there are numerous athletes preparing for their upcoming spring sports. Some of these include track and field, softball, baseball and swimming.

Conditioning programs are being run by the coaches and athletic supporters of Aragon. Conditioning is basically training that involves exercises focused on making athletes quicker, stronger and less prone to physical injuries while playing during the season.

Sophomore Sally Hosokawa describes the benefits of track and field conditioning saying, “I run after school every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. It helps me to get back in shape before my season starts.” She hopes conditioning helps her to reach her goals and says, “I want to improve my speed and definitely stamina.”

The spring sport of softball is also pushing its players to join the all-important conditioning program. Sophomore Kaylyn Mejasich describes the usual conditioning routine with her teammates and says, “We usually start off with stretching, take a long jog around the whole school, do these really hard drills and sometimes sprints. Then, we hit the workout room and this usually takes up an hour.” Some of these drills involve shuffles and butt kicks.

As a new member of the Aragon athletic community, Coach Carrie McLaughlin is currently helping manage the softball conditioning program with both freshman and sophomore players. She says, “I want the girls to just step up in being in shape instead of just sitting around in winter. We do a lot of stretching, some running and we work on agility and stamina.” Coaches see the effects of team bonding during the conditioning program and hope that what chemistry develops outside of the playing field also helps the chemistry on the playing field.

Although it may be enjoyable, conditioning is not all fun and games. Sophomore Kerri Su says, “I am conditioning because I participate in long jumps, hundred meters and relays. We have to run hills and those are always hard. Even though it takes up my time, in the end I think it’s all worth it.”

Conditioning requires a hard working person determined to devote time and effort into becoming a better athlete. If this person decides to take that particular road of preparation, all improvements, greater skills and quickness will act as evidence of one’s hard work.