 "Photo: Courtesy of hsujacks.com")
Spending your summer in Humboldt County? Need some structure and activity to accompany those lazy, sun-filled days spent at the beach and river? Look no further than HSU’s Recreational Center.
This is where HSU’s strength and conditioning head coach, Drew Peterson, puts on his summer workout program. It is open to anyone who wants to work hard and get in shape. Peterson said, “I’ve been doing this program for 15 to 20 years now and it’s really evolved into something anyone can do.” Summer training with Peterson begins June 1 and ends August 11 with workouts at 12:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Peterson used to gear the program toward student-athletes who needed to train over the summer months. But, it developed into a structured workout program open to anyone looking to improve his or her athleticism.
Senior environmental science major Beth Oates was a skeptic when she first heard about the summer program, but her opinion changed. “I was nervous at first because I thought it was just for athletes, but once I was out there, everyone was really encouraging. It was a lot of fun.”
The program focuses on developing speed, agility, quickness and polymetrics. Polymetrics are excercises that focus on developing muscular power through bounding, jumping and other explosive movements. The program is set up to include a different type of exercise each day.
“I enjoyed the [quick sprints],” said junior soccer star Arielle Kern. “It was a quick change of pace that helped a lot on the soccer field.” Peterson said Kern was one of the most improved and dedicated athletes to attend last year’s summer session.
“I was so proud of Arielle,” said Peterson. “She was at almost every workout, and from that, she improved so much over the course of the summer.” Kern stepped onto the soccer field the following fall and had her best season. She led the Jacks in goal scoring.
Kern is just one of the many who benefitted from the summer workouts. Senior football player Chris Holmes said the speed drills directly translated to his quickness on the field. “Drew would have us lay down on our backs or stomachs and get up and sprint. This was like getting knocked down in a game and getting up quickly,” said Holmes.
Peterson said, “The finished product is the best part. The progression throughout the summer is amazing to watch. Everyone is faster and stronger.”
Kern said that although the workouts proceeded to get harder and harder, the individual exercises seemed easier and easier.
Peterson emphasizes that it is open to the entire student body. “A lot of the time, people think it’s just for the football players, but it’s not. It’s about improving athleticism. Anyone is welcome to do that.”
Oates encourages everyone to head out for Peterson’s workouts. “I was able to get in shape and learn a lot about athletics without having to get too hardcore,” she said. If Oates were not graduating, she would be out there again this summer, she said.
Peterson said, “If you stay the summer to train, it’s really great to see your commitment pay off at the end.”
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