Sweating before class

Written by Paisley Arnett, Zari Burton & Austen Ward |

Strength and conditioning now has a set period during the day for all 7th-12th athletes. In past years, strength and conditioning was in the morning and at the end of the day. 

“The attendance piece whenever it wasn’t required was very low,” CAC Principal Julie Parker said. “At most schools, they have an athletic period, so this really just helps out with that where you’re staying consistent throughout the day. I also think that going down and doing a strength and conditioning class during the middle of the day could be seen as a stress reliever that allows you to get out some stress and refocus… I do understand, but I do think the students will get used to it and notice the difference.”

Coach Jordan Watson, head strength and conditioning coach, said school administration wanted to prioritize getting students to campus at 8 a.m., and this was a way to do that.

“They decided that it was for the best interest of the athletic department to have all [students] in an athletic period, and so they moved things around to make that happen,” Coach Watson said. “I think that it is best for the school. There are some pros and cons. For example one con would be the sports teams aren’t working out together anymore. The football team would always have a team lift in the mornings, and they were always consistent with going to those, and that was a big mentality booster for them because they’re all in the same room together. But a pro that outweighs the cons is that everybody is in the workouts, and so they’re held accountable on RenWeb. As a whole, those grades will benefit in their overall athleticism because they are being held accountable.”

Coach Watson said he does hope the schedule will stick and stay the same for years to come.

“I think that schedulewise overall it’s gonna be more beneficial to have people here and doing what they are supposed to be doing, and like I said just from the accountability standpoint, the sport coaches are all on the same page to have it this way. With it coming from the administration, it helps things from a school perspective of getting everybody on the same page.”

Austin Adams is a 7th grader and workouts during 5th period. He said, “I like it; it’s kinda weird to come back all sweaty, but it’s not terrible. It’s not as bad as some people think it is.” 

Austin said after his workout he feels tired for the rest of the day, and if he could workout at a different time he would rather workout during first period or eighth period. 

Caroline Hill, a sophomore who has 5th period workouts, said she doesn’t like it and feels “gross and tired” for the rest of the day. She does believe that eighth period or after school would be a better time to workout, but she also believes she will get used to this change and it will just be a part of her daily routine.