Early morning hours are prime time for athletes
Sports reporter
The sun hasn't even woken up yet.
But that doesn't mean athletes from Marion High School are still asleep.
Groggy-eyed football, cross-country, and volleyball athletes from MHS show up before the crack of dawn at Warrior Stadium two to four days a week to prepare for their respective fall sport.
Marion Middle School athletes show up an hour later to get in their early morning workout.
MHS football coach Grant Thierolf oversees the fall sports conditioning program that caters to MHS and MMS athletes. Some sixth graders from Marion Elementary School are coming out to hone their skills for next season, as well.
"The sixth graders are just trying to build muscle early and get to know the lifts," Thierolf said.
The veteran coach also said sixth graders weren't ready to prepare as intensely as older kids, but coming out early should help them.
The 50-60 male and female athletes who show up each morning primarily focus on lifting weights and running. Some of the football players work on plays by themselves since coaches cannot hold an actual practice until Aug. 16.
It may seem impossible to get teen-agers out of bed before noon in the summer, but getting up before dawn is usually no problem for these athletes.
Thierolf said since his first year in 1988 it hasn't been an issue.
"The seniors lost so much the year before that they were willing to do anything," Thierolf said. "They really set a path."
First-year cross-country coach Rex Ostmeyer agreed with Thierolf that most students don't have a problem with the early morning, but sometimes it can be tough.
"It's not a big deal for them, I think they're used to it," Ostmeyer said. "But sometimes they do come in dragging."
But after a session of weights, Ostmeyer said the 10 or so of his 15-16 person roster who regularly show up to the involuntary workouts, are off and running. This is a good sign since it is the first time in a few years MHS will be able to compete in team events because of the higher participation.
The program, according to Thierolf and Ostmeyer, is essential in getting athletes ready since they can't have an actual practice until right before school starts. In addition, a lot of the athletes are preoccupied with two or three sports during the school year.
"They have the time in the summer to build back up after a long, extreme school year," Thierolf said.
So coming out early, lifting weights, and running is actually a break for the athletes. The early morning also provides a cooler environment different from a hot after-school practice.
The high number of participating athletes is a good sign for the upcoming school season. Ostmeyer said these workouts are needed.
"You can't just show up on the first day and be ready for the first meet," he said. "If you want to compete, you better be working."
