Off season. These words characterizes many student athletes lives as they transition from one sport to another. For some, this is a gap between the end of fall and the start of spring. For many, this is a quick three week jump as they end one sport and consecutively start another one. For few, this is almost a nine month commitment as they devote their free time to the circling mono-sport season. Off -seasons are crucial for a student athlete to maintain aptitudes and physicality in order to optimize their future success as the next sports season approaches.

Here, in the OHS, the off season can be heard from the loud clinking of dumbbells and the quick aggressive steps of feet hitting the ground to the discrete beads of sweat hitting the floor. First year Girls Varsity Lacrosse coach Polly Shives also commented on the importance of conditioning before the season gets underway, she said, “The girls have been working on their stick skills and ball skills twice week at captains practice. I have not been apart of them, so it has been up to them how hard they work. It is an important year for us because it is the first year that lacrosse will compete in the Big Nine. Our goal is to win the Conference and off season conditioning is important to helping us achieve that goal.” All in all, the peak of the athletes ability is determined by the work they put in when no one is spectating. Junior R.J.Kniefel said, “Our season last year didn’t go well, so we all vowed put in the off season work to ensure that this year we are champs.” From football to lacrosse, he used wrestling as just one option to stay in shape. After school, Kniefel is among a group of guys and girls with a similar goal, to be the best prepared for Spring sports.

For multi-sport athletes, off season breaks are critical. This is a much needed break to rest before the upcoming season begins. Because they have less time to prepare, the conditioning aspect for them is very important. They only have a couple of weeks in order to maintain their athletic shape. Senior three sport athlete and baseball captain Blake Westphal said, “I love the time I have in between sports. It gives me time to relax. For baseball, I have to make sure to throw some balls and get my swings in, so I’m not rusty when the season starts [/pullquote

Spring sports conditioning is unique in its own way. Lacrosse and track and field focus on lifting and running in order to get in prime condition. Junior Callie McCauley comments on her preparation, “I have been lifting everyday after school. This spring, I hope that works pays off and I can be named All-Conference.” Baseball and tennis are more technical, forcing athletes to work on the fine skills of the game. All athletes are different in regards to their off season conditioning program, but the one thing that is for certain is that off-season conditioning is a key to being ready for the upcoming season. Regardless of sport, every athlete is working to get better and achieve their goals.