Every athlete knows that training for an upcoming season begins well before the first practice. As tryouts for spring sports wrap up, the players are currently doing a lot of exhausting work to get in shape for their seasons. I had the opportunity to interview a player from each spring sports program to get a better look at their conditioning.

What is your spring sports conditioning like? 

Senior Mary Parker Lynch, Lacrosse: Lacrosse conditioning is very easy, but I am thankfully missing it this year because I’m in quarantine.

Senior Dori Lauth, Soccer: For girls soccer, conditioning is always difficult. We get timed for multiple exercises, and it is always nerve-wracking. While it can be stressful, it is also exciting because it is also the first time we are all together.

Senior Michael Cooper, Lacrosse: My spring sports conditioning is mainly a lot of running the Seaver [sports complex]. We do sprints, agility, and long-distance running.

Senior Jack Parker, Soccer: It is tough, with lots of running.

Senior Sinclair Eberline, Baseball: “Our conditioning for baseball is two weeks of running, agility, core strength work, and doing baseball-related things without balls and gloves.

Do you enjoy being able to get out with your team before the season starts? 

Lynch: Yes. I love hanging out with my teammates outside of the lacrosse field before and after the season.

Lauth: Yes. It is always so exciting to see everyone back together that first week of school and even though it can be a difficult and stressful week, it also is the start of the season which is always something to get excited for.

Cooper: Yes. Being able to be with the team before our real practice only helps us come together and be able to work together better-come game time.

Parker: Yes. Being able to get out with my team before the season creates great chemistry.

Eberline: I do enjoy being able to get out with the team before the season. I think it’s good, cause we can slowly progress our way back into baseball without jumping right into it.

When conditioning, what drives you to keep from giving up? 

Lynch: My competitive nature drives me to do the best I can always.

Lauth: Being around everyone in such a competitive atmosphere is the main thing that keeps me going and pushes me to work as hard as I can.

Cooper: I know that if I give up I will let my teammates down. I know especially as a senior that I set an example for some of the younger players, so I must make sure they don’t see one of their leaders give up.

Parker: Making the times [for running exercises] is important for me because I push myself to make each time as a personal goal.

Eberline: During conditioning, I think the driving factor that keeps everyone going is the fact that the season is so close and we as a team want to be ready for our first game.

What is the hardest exercise that you have to do during conditioning? 

Lynch: The hardest exercise during conditioning is sprinting because it feels like you never get a break. Always seems like they are never going to end.

Lauth: The most difficult exercise is probably the timed mile and a half.

Cooper: The hardest exercise we have to do is run three miles on Friday [during tryouts] without stopping

Parker: The hardest exercise for me is long-distance running rather than short distance running because being in football shape helps out with short distance but not long-distance running.

Eberline: The hardest exercise is probably the core exercises. It’s a big circuit with no breaks and it is not the easiest thing to do.