With the spring sports season rolling around, it is important for athletes to get in shape for their sports, especially if they are not currently in a sport. That is why coaches Adam Taylor and David Slusser host winter conditioning after school on Mondays and Wednesdays. However, not all athletes can participate. Why is that you ask? It is due to injuries. 

“I was injured playing travel baseball this past July, which resulted in a torn UCL,” junior Benjamin Fischer said. “With a tear that bad, I had to have surgery which was in December. Due to that surgery, I can’t run as the risk of me falling and re-tearing is not worth the reward.” 

Although Fischer and other injured athletes may not be up on the track with everyone else, it doesn’t mean that they aren’t getting their fair share of conditioning in. 

“AT[Adam Taylor] has had me riding the bike every day and that is just as difficult as the runs,” Fischer said. “We go in intervals of 20 seconds at max speed then 10 seconds off and we repeat the process about 8-12 times.” 

While Fischer is dealing with one of the more severe injuries that can happen to an athlete he is not the only person who is out. All kinds of injuries require different types of recovery and mobility restrictions. 

“I was injured near the very end of our playoff loss during football season,” senior Oliver Kuboushek said. “I have had to get MRIs, go to physical therapy, and I am even getting fitted for a knee brace. All that for a minor tear in my meniscus that ultimately won’t stop me from doing what I need to do which is pitching.” 

Kuboushek has been joining Fischer on the bikes in the weight room during the winter conditioning and they are getting in great shape for their next sports. 

“Although I won’t be participating in baseball this season, it’s still good to get in shape for everything else that is coming up,” Fischer said. “With summer lifts right around the corner and my senior football season shortly following that it is never too early to start preparing.”