Loading ...
Currently Browsing: Sports / Top Stories
GridIron Guys Pumping Iron
.
During the off-season, when the football team is not practicing, the guys work to keep in shape by devoting themselves to the weight room. Each player spends over an hour each day pumping iron to build strength and control. Before spring training begins, these guys get a chance to show off their muscles. Each year in April, MGM’s football program hosts the Lift-a-Thon. MGM’s gym is turned into the ultimate weight room as friends, students and families gather into the bleachers and on the floor to watch the guys lift their maximum weights. Before the program, the football players ask people to sponsor them. People may sponsor, or pledge, so much per pound the player plans to lift or give a one-time donation. In addition to showing off their hard work on the weights, the guys also raise money for the football program. At 6:00 P.M. on April 26, the Lift-a-Thon kicked off. Coach Lowell was the emcee for the evening, and the other coaches were in charge of teams of players. The teams moved from station to station allowing players different opportunities on different weights. The teams were not only for organizational reasons; these teams were for encouragement and mental stamina. As a few players attempted to maximize on their highest weight lift, their teams would gather around them and yell words of encouragement. At times, the entire team would rally around one player to chant “teamwork” making sure the lifter knew his players were behind him. It was a competition, but it was also a show of comraderie and support. Cheerleaders were on hand to record the weight lifted on big white boards. This kept the crowd informed of the players’ progress. At the end of the night, visitors left impressed by the players’ progress and committment to the weight room regiment. They football players left proud of their success and with their sights set on spring training and the season ahead.
The team who took the overall trophy for the most pounds lifted as a team was led by Kane Foster. Coach Johnson was the coach who monitored the progress of this team. This group as a team lifted 5,200 pounds total.
Guys had the opportunity to be the top weight lifter for their class in the category of bench weights. For eleventh grade, P.J. Barrerras took the top spot lifting 350 pounds. For tenth grade, top lifter was Eric Sewell with 275 pounds. In the ninth grade, Colby McSpadden lifted more than his freshmen counterparts with 275 pounds.
The Clean lift was one that drew much crowd attention. People lined up on the floor right in front of the lifters to get a good look as the guys lifted the bar of weights from the floor, to their chests, above their heads. The top lifters in this category were Cole Oliver for the eleventh grade who lifted 295 pounds, Hunter Burns for the tenth grade who lifted 260 pounds, and Colby McSpadden and Brandon Lee tied for the ninth grade with 225 pounds each.
Individuals also competed to see who could lift the overall heaviest weights all night. All lifts were considered and totaled for the results. The individual lifting the highest number of weights for the night for eleventh grade was Kris Cox with 620 pounds. For tenth grade, Eric Sewell was the top total weight winner by lifting 525 pounds, and for the ninth grade, Colby McSpadden received the trophy for lifting 500 pounds.
Because raising funds was a big part of the night, Captain Cole Oliver and his team were recognized for bringing in over $2,000 for the football program. The coach over this team was Coach Dearmon.
To see photos from the event, please visit http://valkyrievoice.smugmug.com/Other/Spring-Football-2011/16802643_x52TRP#1267834606_rz8CsrC
They guys move from the weight room to the field now as spring training begins. The Vikings will play a spring game against BC Rain High School on MGM’s ES Grider Field on Friday, May 20 at 6:00 P.M.
Email This Post
Print This Post
Leave a Reply