(Editor’s note-Several other student-athletes were contacted for this story, including golfers, but did not respond)
There’s no question that the current COVID-19 pandemic has been a major disruption in the lives of everyone in this state and the nation. There isn’t one segment of our society that hasn’t been affected in one way or another. That includes our school students, who now have to continue their studies at home on a computer. For the Clarion-Goldfield-Dows High School student-athletes, it means no organized practices, no strength and conditioning drills and no contact with coaches. In essence, for them to be ready and in shape for whenever the season starts they are on their own. And obviously all of us want to see them have at least some semblance of a spring season. I decided to contact a few of them to see what they could tell us about how they are making that happen.
Courtney Harle is a senior, and has been a three-time state track & field qualifier in the 100 and some relays. She has also played basketball and softball. “Taking away four weeks of the season was definitely not something I had planned on for my senior year or anyone else on the team,” said Harle. “I’ve been trying to stick to a regular workout schedule by running and doing strengthening workouts at least three times a week. My friend and fellow track-mate Isaac Davis shares his daily workouts, so I base a lot of my running on what he’s doing.”
Harle continued that, since she lives in the country, her most common workout is sprinting and in an interesting manner. “I sprint down the road to a telephone pole, then jog to the next and then walk to the next pole until I have finished about a mile,” said Harle. “Then I complete the ab and hip strengthening workout we normally do during the season. It has been a bit rainy and snowy, so on those days I have been supplementing HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) videos online. It’s definitely a crazy start to my season, but if we get a chance to finish it the team will be coming out mentally stronger and ready to attack the weeks we have left!”
Kendall Lienemann is a junior and does hurdles and high jump, and has been to state in the low hurdles. She has also been a part of the 4×2 relay in 2018 and the 4×4 relay last year, both events qualifying for state. The four-sport Cowgirl rounds out her athletic efforts with volleyball, basketball and softball. “I have been doing a lot of workouts at home,” said Lienemann. “These consist of running up a lot of hills and running around town. I’m trying to alternate days where I do distance one day and sprints on the other. I’m just trying to stay motivated as much as I can.”
She told me that the whole team has been talking with each other. “We have been sending workouts back and forth with each other,” said Lienemann. “This way we all have ideas on what we need to be doing. We might not be able to work out together, but we are trying to push each other. Also a lot of us Facetime during our workouts to make sure we are working hard and doing what we need to. I know we all hope we have the opportunity to run again. If we can this year, you definitely will be seeing us at the blue oval!”
Raven Kinnetz is also a junior, and is a sprinter on the team and went with the 4×4 relay to state a year ago. She keeps busy by also doing cross country and basketball. “Track season is definitely different this year with the Coronavirus outbreak, and is something unforgettable for everyone involved,” said Kinnetz. “Without having practices, I have been trying to stay in shape and get stronger by doing workouts inside and running outside.”
She also told me about the team sharing different workouts with each other, and she feels having those resources and teammate support is motivating everyone to keep in shape. “Although this situation is not ideal, we know the other teams we run against are dealing with it as well so it puts everyone on a level playing field,” said Kinnetz. “I hope that when track season resumes our at-home training shows even if our exercise is limited.”
Morgan Middleton is a junior and specializes in the shot put and discus. She also participates in volleyball and basketball. “Everything came to a halt, no school, track or club volleyball,” said Middleton. “I love being with people, so social distancing has been a challenge for me. I miss hanging out with my friends and working out and competing with my teammates. Track meets and club volleyball tournaments have been cancelled, but I hope that we’ll still be able to get some meets in and some of my club volleyball tournaments are being rescheduled.”
Middleton goes on to say that, to keep in shape and be ready, she has been doing a variety of things. “I am continuing my speed and agility workouts with D1 Training in Des Moines, and since we can’t go to the fitness center or one of the school’s gyms I ordered some weighted medicine balls and got out some cones we had and so I do my workouts on the street in front of our house,” said Middleton. “I also created my own strength workouts that I put together from previous workouts I had done. My mom and I have been peppering as well son I can continue getting touches with the volleyball. My club also began posting workouts on-line for us to complete, so I’ve been doing those instead of making up my own. That’s been nice but a lot more challenging! Coach Harker has contacted the team to make sure we are still either running or throwing and continuing to stay in shape. I wanted get into the throwing rings at the school, but sadly they’re locked up.”
Morgan goes on to say that all of her teammates are finding ways to fill this time to stay in shape. “They are going on runs and lifting weights they have at home, or are even doing simple ab or leg workouts just to keep active,” said Middleton. “We’re all bored being stuck at home and miss being active together. It’s important we all stay safe, but we’re looking forward to being back together again!”
Senior Clinton Miller is a hurdler on the Cowboy team, and also is out for basketball. “First off, I’m hoping we have a season,” said Miller. “We have had only one indoor meet, so it would be a big disappointment if my senior season was cancelled. Until I’m able to access the school facilities for team practices or training, I am planning on building my own hurdles so I can stay caught up with my hurdle form and technique. Other than hurdling, I am using time to run outside and on my treadmill with my own workouts.” He said he would be focusing a lot on core strengthening. “That will include doing many sit ups, planks and a ton more different workouts that keep me in the shape I need to be in,” said Miller.
These are just a few examples of how CGDHS team members are doing whatever they can to be ready for what they hope will still be a, albeit abbreviated, spring season.
