St. Ed’s Head Coach Les Rogers says his approach to the 2015 boys weightlifting season is to focus more on the right way to do weight training and less on outcomes in competitive meets.
Since this particular team has only two members with previous experience, the main focus for Rogers is to facilitate slow but incremental progress for the 11 newcomers in the rudimentary steps necessary to master the proper technique required primarily for the clean-and-jerk, but also the bench press.
“We’ve got new lifters from the basketball and football teams this year and, with one exception, they are all sophomores or younger,” Rogers said. “They have been doing a great job in making gains for themselves, but they are not at the level where they will be able to compete at the district weightlifting meet.
“Most are absolutely here for cross-training purposes. Coach Greg Zugrave has really pumped-up the weightlifting program for his basketball team. And hopefully when they get on the basketball court they will be able to push their weight around more confidently.
“Weight training is really going to help the football players by improving their strength and explosiveness. The conditioning will also help them to avoid injuries that might have occurred had they not participated in this type of training.”
Head Coach Bill Motta would like to see all of that come true for his football team. Spring practice is just around the corner.
Of the 13 guys hoisting weights in 2015, four are 8th graders, four are freshmen, four are sophomores and one is a junior. No seniors, no problem according to Rogers.
“The fact that we don’t have seniors was a matter of a class with no lifters that just kind of cycled through. So it’s not really a big deal, but it does stick out when we don’t have any seniors on the team.”
Instead, the coach would prefer to see these guys stick around for a few more years. He said, “they are still learning and trying to perfect their technique. It literally takes a couple of years to be able to do that.”
The season will come to an end in short order without the headlines made by individuals on the most recent boys and girls teams. Last spring Jad Shalhoub medaled at the state tournament and only a few weeks ago Kendra Mathes repeated that feat. They are the first boy and girl in school history to medal at the state championships.
Freshman Edward Klinsport has been on the team since 7th grade. Eighth grader J.P. Scott lifted as a 6th grader, took a year off when he moved to Kentucky, and returned for his second go-round this year. That covers the extent of previous experience.
“It’s nice to know that that I’m going to have Ed (Klinsport) for another three years,” Rogers said. “He already has as much experience under his belt as some of these guys will ever get in their lifetimes. Because he started so early I’m expecting big things out of Ed in the coming years.
“J.P. (Scott) is doing a fairly good job. You can definitely tell that he’s done this work before. He did not forget what he learned as a 6th grader and that’s helping him out this year. I’ve got him for another four years and I’m looking for big things out of him, too.”
Weight training should also pay dividends for Klinsport on the football field and Scott on the basketball court.
“Having football players here in the weight room strengthens the bonds between us,” Klinsport told us. “And that helps us feel more confident together. I’ve moved up to the 169 weight class and increased my totals 30 pounds from last year.
“It’s kind of weird being the only veteran left. J.P. was here two years ago, so he’s almost a veteran. My goal this year is to at least get to the district qualifier (April 1).
Junior Nick Succes transferred to St. Ed’s this year from St. Lucie West Centennial. He made an immediate impact on the football and basketball teams. This is his first try at weightlifting, but most of all he just seems to be completely comfortable in his new surroundings.
“My sports experience here has been a big jump from Centennial,” Nick said. “St. Edward’s is really very good for me and this has been a big change in my life. I wish I came here for my freshman year.
“Academically I’m doing really well, way better that I did at Centennial. The teachers are helping me a lot and I’m staying after class to get extra help. What’s happening here should help me get into the college of my choice.
“I’m really enjoying weightlifting. I’m making sure I get stronger and more athletic for the football and basketball seasons. My strong point is the clean-and-jerk. I really enjoy doing that. Every time I come to the weight room all I think about is the clean-and-jerk. I admit I need to work on the bench press.”