MONROE - A lot of Monroe football players are getting a jump-start on the season in the strength and conditioning class in summer school.
About 45 players, or 50 percent of the projected players at the varsity, junior varsity and freshmen levels are lifting weights in the strength and conditioning class in summer school, said Tom Witt, a co-teacher of the class and an assistant football coach.
It's the second year Monroe football coach Toby Golembiewski has taught the strength and conditioning class in conjunction with Witt. In addition to improving strength, players are working to improve speed, quickness and agility.
The Monroe football team finished 11-1 last year and won the Badger South Conference championship before losing a WIAA Division 3 state quarterfinal game to Pewaukee 7-3.
Winning the conference title for the first time since 1998 last year and going unbeaten in the regular season for the first time since 1995 has led to more players getting into the weight room this offseason, Monroe senior Travis Wolf said.
"It motivates us a lot," Wolf said of winning a conference championship. "It gives us something to work for again. We know what it feels like now. We want to keep on going, move forward and do better. I just want to keep getting stronger and better for the upcoming season. The more time you put into it, the more you will get out of it."
The camaraderie of sweating and working in the weight room can have effects once the season kicks off.
"If we work together in the weight room it carries over to the field," Wolf said. "We had some games last year where we didn't play to the best of our ability fundamentally, but we were the better all-around athletes and that is how we pulled games outt."
Football players in the strength and conditioning class did a max bench press on Thursday and a max squat on Friday. At 165 pounds, Wolf lifted 275 pounds on his max bench press.
Wolf said his goal is every time he does a max lift he wants to improve by 10 pounds or more.
Junior Ethan Kleckler, sophomores Alex Witt, Nick Bansley and Mike Kundert were four others looking to get stronger.
Senior offensive lineman Joe Hughes said his goal for the offseason training was to beat his father's max bench press of 300 pounds when he was in high school. Hughes benched a max of 320 pounds Thursday.
Hughes said the strength and conditioning class is not just for football players.
"It makes you a better all-around athlete," he said. "It helps everyone get stronger. It builds your hand-eye coordination."
Football players in the strength and conditioning class focus on upper body lifts Mondays and Thursdays and lower body lifts to strengthen their legs, featuring squats and dead lifts, on Tuesdays and Fridays. On Wednesdays, the players complete a conditioning activity outside.
"He (Golembiewski) wants everyone to show up and attend," Hughes said. "He wants everyone to come, be there and try to get better."
About 45 players, or 50 percent of the projected players at the varsity, junior varsity and freshmen levels are lifting weights in the strength and conditioning class in summer school, said Tom Witt, a co-teacher of the class and an assistant football coach.
It's the second year Monroe football coach Toby Golembiewski has taught the strength and conditioning class in conjunction with Witt. In addition to improving strength, players are working to improve speed, quickness and agility.
The Monroe football team finished 11-1 last year and won the Badger South Conference championship before losing a WIAA Division 3 state quarterfinal game to Pewaukee 7-3.
Winning the conference title for the first time since 1998 last year and going unbeaten in the regular season for the first time since 1995 has led to more players getting into the weight room this offseason, Monroe senior Travis Wolf said.
"It motivates us a lot," Wolf said of winning a conference championship. "It gives us something to work for again. We know what it feels like now. We want to keep on going, move forward and do better. I just want to keep getting stronger and better for the upcoming season. The more time you put into it, the more you will get out of it."
The camaraderie of sweating and working in the weight room can have effects once the season kicks off.
"If we work together in the weight room it carries over to the field," Wolf said. "We had some games last year where we didn't play to the best of our ability fundamentally, but we were the better all-around athletes and that is how we pulled games outt."
Football players in the strength and conditioning class did a max bench press on Thursday and a max squat on Friday. At 165 pounds, Wolf lifted 275 pounds on his max bench press.
Wolf said his goal is every time he does a max lift he wants to improve by 10 pounds or more.
Junior Ethan Kleckler, sophomores Alex Witt, Nick Bansley and Mike Kundert were four others looking to get stronger.
Senior offensive lineman Joe Hughes said his goal for the offseason training was to beat his father's max bench press of 300 pounds when he was in high school. Hughes benched a max of 320 pounds Thursday.
Hughes said the strength and conditioning class is not just for football players.
"It makes you a better all-around athlete," he said. "It helps everyone get stronger. It builds your hand-eye coordination."
Football players in the strength and conditioning class focus on upper body lifts Mondays and Thursdays and lower body lifts to strengthen their legs, featuring squats and dead lifts, on Tuesdays and Fridays. On Wednesdays, the players complete a conditioning activity outside.
"He (Golembiewski) wants everyone to show up and attend," Hughes said. "He wants everyone to come, be there and try to get better."
