The first of two weightlifting sessions in preparation for the 2025 football season came to an end in mid May, and head coach Eric Hermanson and assistant coaches met with the team in the band room on May 23 to recognize those who had made outstanding efforts, reemphasize the importance of lifting and lay out details for summer training.
The Clippers started the official lifting program the week after Thanksgiving break. All told, there were 68 days that players could lift with a coach present. Seventeen players lifted at least 24 of those days.
Sophomore Braeden Smith and seventh grader Johnathan Cink had the highest attendance record, each participating in 60 of the 68 lifts. Sophomore Jackson Shouler attended 57 lifts, and Carson Lyons, a junior, made 56 of the lifts.
The largest increase in the big three weight-lifting exercises, bench press, squats and deadlift, was an award geared to the younger lifters, those first starting a lifting program with lots of room for gains. It went to freshman Wyatt Krenik, who increased his total 41 percent.
“He went from the first day of lifting when I thought he looks like he should still be play junior high to ‘he’s going to play all the time,” Hermanson said.
Freshman Carsyn Ryg was second with a 35 percent improvement. Eighth grader Pierce Lyons was third with a 31 percent improvement. Junior Bode Bartell improved 26 percent for an honorable mention. He is an example of how it is not too late for players to start lifting, Hermanson said.
“Bode didn’t start to come until after basketball, and that wasn’t that long ago, but he came 25 times and increased his lift. So that shows if you have never come before, and you come just for summer lifting, you can increase your maxes 26 percent because Bode did, so don’t think it’s too late. If you come, you can be so much improved and be part of a team. We want everyone to play.”
Lyons had the highest big three sum: 1,025 lbs. Smith was just 5 pounds behind him. Junior David Draheim’s big three total was 970 lbs.
In support of its credo “Hate to lose. Set the tone. Never give up,” the Clippers football program established a formal weightlifting program in late 2023.
Besides increasing strength, size and speed, all necessary to be productive on a football field, weightlifting helps prevent injuries and is a big factor in boosting self-confidence, Hermanson said. Another benefit is the sense of team that comes from making a commitment together and seeing it through.
But sticking with a lifting program is not easy, said assistant coach Matt Miller.
“I hear kids these days need instant gratification, but you max out every day and then you try to max out again, and sometimes you can’t do more than last time. That’s tough mentally. But you prove you can do it because you kept coming, and I saw a lot of maxes get beat that you couldn’t do two months ago.”
Summer training
Football players have plenty of opportunities to prepare for the 2025 season over the summer, including the second lifting session.
Captains’ practice will be held on Dave Krenik Field every Sunday night at 7:00 p.m. starting on June 9 and lasting all the rest of the summer. The weightroom will be open before captains’ practice at 6:00 p.m. as well as on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00 a.m.
Summer football camp will be July 21-25 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Dave Krenik field for all players going into grades 7-12.
The first official MSHL practiced is August 11 for players going into grades 9-12 with players going into grades 7 and 8 welcome to practice with the upperclassmen until the season starts. Practices take place from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. daily.
Above: Weight lifting session one award winners, from L-R, Pierce Lyons (Most Improved, 3rd place), Jackson Shouler (Most Improved second place), Wyatt Krenik (Most Improved first place), Bode Bartell (Most Improved honorable mention), Braeden Smith (Big Three second place, Most Committed first place, tie), David Draheim (Big Three third place) and Carson Lyons (Big Three first place and Most Committed third place). Missing are Johnathan Cink (Most Committed first place, tie) and Carsyn Ryg (Most improved second place).
