* The 2014-2015 senior student signature series features area senior class students – and their own “signature” outlooks on a topic of their choice. A new outlook will be posted on Cross-Counties Connect each Friday. The series opens with point of view comments by seniors from Mountain Lake Public High School. The opinions can be found by clicking on the Family & Faith link on the website’s header, and scrolling down to, and clicking on, Outlook. Their teachers are Brenda Feil, Kim Syverson and Debby Jass.
Success In Sports![]()
I believe that lifting for athletics is essential for success.
Lifting for sports is great, but, lifting even after sports and throughout life is superb for the health. Lifting helps build stronger bones and muscles – but, just lifting weights does not work. A lifting workout also has to include some cardio to help build up lungs and get into ideal condition for the sports.
In football, for example, a player is constantly running and sprinting each play, so it is good to be in shape, and, when a player is physically stronger, he is able to tackle of block the opponent. When the running back is constantly sprinting with the ball and getting tackled, it is key to be strong and capable of being hit – and able to get back up after each play. This can be done if the off-season was spent in the weight room getting bigger, faster and stronger.
My experience in lifting weights is that I started lifting the summer after my sophomore year, but, I did not lift as much as I should have because I did not have a place to go to do lifting. Then, I talked to my parents about getting a membership to the Mountain Lake Fitness Center. This was a great decision, because, that is when I got really involved in lifting weights.
When football came around in the fall, I could definitely feel improvements in my physical condition and how much more physical stress my body could handle during the long practices.
My senior year, I really got into lifting and working out because I had a goal to be better than any opponent we would face on the football field. I could feel the change in my body after a few months of working out on a regular basis.
All sports require an athlete to have some athletic skill, but being more fit than the other guy is a plus; it can place an athlete a step-ahead of the competition.
To conclude, lifting weights in order to succeed in whatever sport you are in is very important. From my experience, it is the best way to get in top physical condition.
However, even lifting weights is not enough – you have to have the mindset to be better than whomever you face.
Like Vince Lombardi said “Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing.”