Typically, the offseason is a time of relaxation. Some athletes recover from a previous sport between another, while some just use that time for personal matters. A large group of dedicated individuals used the months leading up to winter sports to get in shape.
“The offseason work here is different than at my old school,” senior Courtney Sales said.
Sales transferred from McCluer North this year and is expected to be a key member of the varsity boys’ basketball team.
“Coach Luhning was more involved than my last coach,” Sales said. “Also, the stuff we did to get ready at Clayton was more organized. At North, our preseason work was just play pickup games and go from there.”
Coach Luhning, head varsity boys’ basketball coach, organized optional preseason workouts to prepare the team for the upcoming season. The team met every day after school for running, weight training, and skill development. Although very physically demanding, the workouts usually had excellent turn out and results are expected this year.
The girls’ basketball program also organized optional preseason work. The team met three days a week and emphasized conditioning over other areas.
“We ran a lot!” junior Haley Wartman said.
Wartman played significant varsity minutes as a sophomore and looks to build on her success this year, while helping lead the girls’ team.
“It was really hard, but I think it will be worth it,” Wartman said. “With a new coach and all this work we put in, we can be really good. ”
Junior Elle Ahearn also regularly attended preseason workouts for the girls’ team.
“That may be the hardest I have worked in my life,” Ahearn said.
Ahearn will be a first year varsity player this year, and is expected to be an impact player.
“We were already more talented than last year’s varsity team,” Ahearn said. “The amount of work we have put in will only make us better to prepare us for games.”
Coach Luhning is also confident the offseason work will pay off this year.
“In my four previous years of coaching we’ve lost in the district championship twice and district semi-finals the other two years,” Luhning. “That’s not good enough. It’s time we start getting greedy and to take that next step we have to work hard.”