Although temperatures have dropped below freezing, devoted athletes still take time to push through the harsh winter and work out. Rather than bearing the cold outside, students can go to Longhorn Power, a workout session. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, athletes participate in a series of weight lifting-based workouts from 2:30-4 p.m. Head varsity football coach Jeff Duncan is in charge of the after school program along with upperclassmen students who take action as well.
“Longhorn Power is a great way for me to prepare for the upcoming baseball season. Since I don’t play a winter sport, it’s great that we have a program here where athletes can stay in shape during the off-season. Coach Duncan has a great workout plan that can help benefit any athlete for any sport,” junior Matt Blake said.
Football, baseball and freshmen basketball players make up the majority of the attendees, but anyone is welcome to join no matter what sporting background.
“This program can only help our football team prepare for the next year. The great teams in the area are constantly in the weight room, so that’s why I urge any football player to come join Longhorn Power. It can only benefit you in the long run,” sophomore Caleb Carswell said.
Some of the baseball team is in the program, looking to improve their record from last season.
“After an 8-18 season last year, I think a lot of the guys have devoted their time to Longhorn Power this offseason in order to have more successful year this upcoming season. We have the right players in the right place it just all comes down to getting stronger, and getting in better shape,” junior Evan Shukers said.
Longhorn Power started three weeks ago on Dec. 3 and continues throughout the winter. The freshmen basketball team participates in Longhorn Power before they have scheduled practices at school.
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![Senior Josie Grunzinger watches the football game intently from the sidelines on Oct. 18. Grunzinger stood out to the crowd as the only girl on the football team, encouraging other girls who want to play football to take a chance and go for a sport outside of their comfort zone. “If you think you could [play football] and you want to do it, just try it, because all it takes is to actually try it out,” Grunzinger said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Untitled-design-1200x675.png)
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![Sports organizations have changed lives on and off the field, improving athletes’ muscle strength, reducing their risk of diseases and building energetic work capacity worldwide. However, many student-athletes struggle to balance schoolwork and athletic commitments, hoping to seek more understanding and support from their teachers and coaches. “To lessen mental strain student-athletes [face] and create a healthier, more comfortable lifestyle, there shouldn’t be any homework. I'm already [at school] for eight hours and [homework] creates a bigger load for student-athletes in AP or honors classes,” track and field sprinter and sophomore Lucy Penton said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/DSC_0095-1-e1713883278514-1200x847.jpg)
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![Looking for an open teammate, freshman Patrick May passes the ball across the court at the Nov. 28 game against Parkway Central. May started in the game against the Colts. ”Growing up, [my parents] always gave me a basketball, [and] we had a basketball hoop outside. I grew up playing [all the time], playing on the [driveway] and shooting hoops with my dad.” May said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/image2-1-1200x801.jpg)
