Athletes are made in the offseason
By Lyndi Araujo
IV Leader Staff
When thinking of fall, one might think of attending a football game on a cool Friday evening or heading to the gym to catch a volleyball game. These sports are considered to have a “fall season.” However, around the IVCC campus, more is going on than volleyball, golf, and tennis.
Basketball has begun to have regular open gym sessions for both girls and boys. It is not an official practice, but rather a chance to improve on things before things gets into full swing. It is a chance for the athletes to get back into shape by running up and down the court again. Also, it is a great time for newcomers to get acquainted with the returning players and form a bond on the court. This leads to bonds off the court as well. Open gyms give a player that last chance to refine a skill they may have been working on, or start working on one for the official season.
What seems ever farther off but what has definitely begun is softball and baseball. These players began the first week of school for a season which doesn’t play an official game until the first week in March. The softball team is practicing two days a week and has played a fall doubleheader with more games in store. Pitchers and catchers are required to practice on their own time two days a week. This is to keep arms loose and get comfortable with each other. The baseball team is also practicing regularly, along with extensive conditioning and study tables at 8:00 a.m. for those who do not have class at that time.
It may not be the official season, but don’t be surprised to see athletes around working out and practicing. It can be exhausting, but each of them knows that the extra work will pay its dividends when it comes to the games that matter.